NHS Treatment in Frankscroft at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Borders |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of Scotland |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC, Peebles — under a mile; 4 within 10 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible Small Towns |
Sources: Census 2021 (NOMIS), DfE Get Information About Schools, ONS geography, UK NHS dental charge schedules and our orthodontic practice register. Distances are straight-line.
Practices listing NHS orthodontics near Frankscroft
On our practice register: 4 practices within 5 miles of Frankscroft, 4 practices within 10 and 69 practices within 20. The closest is INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC in Peebles, 0.1 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC, 0.1 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINICPeebles | 0.1 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| PEEBLES DENTAL PRACTICEPeebles | 0.1 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| CHERRY COURT DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIPeebles | 0.8 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| 11 ELM COURTPeebles | 0.8 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| 16 BRIDGE STREETPenicuik | 12.1 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| PENICUIK DENTAL CENTREPenicuik | 12.3 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Frankscroft with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Peebles, 0.1 miles south; the next are Penicuik (12.1 miles north) and Biggar (13.0 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Peebles | 4 | 0.1 miles south |
| Penicuik | 3 | 12.1 miles north |
| Biggar | 2 | 13.0 miles west |
| Gorebridge | 1 | 14.3 miles north-east |
| Roslin | 1 | 14.3 miles north |
| Galashiels | 3 | 15.0 miles east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Frankscroft, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Artis Dental & Implant Studio, 17.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC, Peebles, under a mile away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Frankscroft are commissioned by NHS Borders. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Frankscroft follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. Understanding its limits helps families in Frankscroft plan around realistic waiting times.
How the NHS Route Works in Frankscroft
The NHS pathway in Frankscroft is well-structured — here's what to expect at each stage:
- Dental check-up: Your dentist performs an initial IOTN assessment and, if eligible, makes a formal referral.
- Referral to NHS orthodontist: You join the waiting list for the local NHS orthodontic service covering Frankscroft.
- Specialist assessment: An orthodontist confirms your IOTN score, takes records, and confirms whether NHS treatment proceeds.
- Brace fitting: Metal fixed braces are fitted — typically 60–90 minutes.
- Active treatment: Adjustment appointments every 6–8 weeks for 18–24 months on average.
- Retention: Retainers provided at completion as part of the NHS course of care.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Frankscroft
In Scotland, NHS dental treatment — including clinically necessary orthodontics — is free for everyone under 26. Adults aged 26 and over who qualify pay 80% of the NHS fee, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in The Scottish Borders differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Practices serving Frankscroft differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Frankscroft falls in a less deprived area than most of Scotland. Frankscroft sits within NHS Borders for NHS dental commissioning. Officially, Frankscroft is categorised as accessible Small Towns. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (4), Frankscroft has more choice than 68% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Frankscroft. The closest on record are INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC in Peebles, under a mile away; 16 BRIDGE STREET in Penicuik, about 12 miles away; and BIGGAR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 13 miles away. NHS capacity is limited — practices often have closed lists for new NHS patients, which is why private treatment is the realistic route for many adults and for those who cannot wait.
NHS Waiting Times in Frankscroft
NHS orthodontic waiting times in The Scottish Borders vary and can range from 12 to 36 months from referral to treatment starting. For families where timing is important — particularly approaching the optimal treatment age — private orthodontics eliminates the wait entirely and typically begins within a few weeks of consultation.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Frankscroft
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Frankscroft
Space maintainers keep the space from a baby tooth lost too soon from closing up, so neighbouring teeth don't drift into the gap before the adult tooth is ready to come through.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Frankscroft
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. NHS-contracted orthodontists in The Scottish Borders apply the same national criteria consistently. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Adult NHS Orthodontic Access in Frankscroft
Adults (18 and over) are rarely eligible for NHS orthodontic treatment in Frankscroft. NHS funding for adults is generally limited to severe clinical cases — such as jaw surgery patients or those with significant cleft palate-related needs. Cosmetic adult orthodontics is not NHS-funded.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Frankscroft
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Frankscroft?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Frankscroft is INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC in Peebles, about 0.1 miles to the south. The next closest are PEEBLES DENTAL PRACTICE (0.1 miles) and CHERRY COURT DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINI (0.8 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Frankscroft?
Our register has 4 practices within 5 miles of Frankscroft, 4 practices within 10 miles and 69 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Frankscroft?
The nearest practice to Frankscroft that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC in Peebles, about 0.1 miles to the south. Others nearby include PEEBLES DENTAL PRACTICE (0.1 miles) and CHERRY COURT DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINI (0.8 miles).
Which NHS body covers Frankscroft for dental care?
Frankscroft sits within NHS Borders for NHS dental commissioning.
What kind of area is Frankscroft?
By ONS classification, Frankscroft falls under accessible Small Towns.
How deprived is Frankscroft compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Frankscroft is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Frankscroft?
Nearby towns include Innerleithen, Peebles, Redscarhead.
What if the NHS wait is too long?
Private orthodontic treatment removes the waiting list entirely. It offers the same clinical outcomes with greater choice of brace type and typically a more personalised experience — at higher cost than the NHS charge.
Last updated: October 2026, compiled by the Virtual Consultant Online editorial team from our practice register and public data. Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice; it is not reviewed by a clinician. Sources: NHS, General Dental Council. How we compile our information.
NHS Treatment Across The Scottish Borders
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in The Scottish Borders — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: