NHS Treatment in Friockheim at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Tayside |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | NO 80 DENTAL PRACTICE, Arbroath — 6.3 miles; 14 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 17 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible Rural |
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 Friockheim
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Friockheim; 14 practices within 10 and 55 practices within 20. The closest is NO 80 DENTAL PRACTICE in Arbroath, 6.3 miles south-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is NO 80 DENTAL PRACTICE, 6.3 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO 80 DENTAL PRACTICEArbroath | 6.3 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| R AND PM THOMSONBrechin | 6.3 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| 30 KEPTIE STREETArbroath | 6.4 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| ESK DENTAL CAREBrechin | 6.4 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| IAN ROBERTSON DENTAL CAREArbroath | 6.5 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 121 HIGH STREETArbroath | 6.5 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Friockheim with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Arbroath, 6.3 miles south-east; the next are Brechin (6.3 miles north) and Forfar (8.1 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Arbroath | 4 | 6.3 miles south-east |
| Brechin | 2 | 6.3 miles north |
| Forfar | 3 | 8.1 miles west |
| Montrose | 3 | 9.2 miles north-east |
| Carnoustie | 2 | 9.8 miles south |
| Monifieth | 4 | 12.3 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Friockheim
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Perla Orthodontics in Tayport (4.7 from 13 reviews), 14.4 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Perla OrthodonticsTayport | 4.7 (13 reviews) | 14.4 miles south-west |
| Oris Dental & Implant StudioMonifieth | 4.6 (87 reviews) | 12.3 miles south-west |
| Kingsway Dental PracticeDundee | 3.2 (14 reviews) | 15.2 miles south-west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Friockheim, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Banchory Dental Practice, 29.1 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is NO 80 DENTAL PRACTICE, Arbroath, 6.3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 17 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Friockheim are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Friockheim focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. Understanding its limits helps families in Friockheim plan around realistic waiting times.
NHS Waiting Times in Friockheim
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Angus 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Friockheim
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Friockheim runs like this:
- 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 Friockheim.
- 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 Friockheim
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 Angus differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Orthodontic practices in and around Friockheim vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Friockheim's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Friockheim is about 17 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. NHS Tayside is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Friockheim. By ONS classification, Friockheim falls under accessible Rural. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of Friockheim; the nearest is about 6 miles away. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Friockheim itself. The closest on record are NO 80 DENTAL PRACTICE in Arbroath, about 6 miles away; R AND PM THOMSON in Brechin, about 6 miles away; and HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Forfar, about 8 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Friockheim
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Friockheim
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 Friockheim
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Angus apply the same national criteria consistently. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Eligibility in Friockheim — Local Context
NHS waiting times in Angus are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Friockheim
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Friockheim?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Friockheim is NO 80 DENTAL PRACTICE in Arbroath, about 6.3 miles to the south-east. The next closest are R AND PM THOMSON (6.3 miles) and 30 KEPTIE STREET (6.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Friockheim?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Friockheim, 14 practices within 10 miles and 55 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Arbroath, 6.3 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Friockheim?
The nearest practice to Friockheim that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is NO 80 DENTAL PRACTICE in Arbroath, about 6.3 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include R AND PM THOMSON (6.3 miles) and 30 KEPTIE STREET (6.4 miles).
Which NHS body covers Friockheim for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Tayside.
Is Friockheim rural or urban?
ONS classifies Friockheim as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Friockheim compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Friockheim is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Friockheim?
Nearby towns include Balgavies, Milldens, Boysack.
What happens if I miss NHS appointments?
NHS orthodontic contracts require reasonable attendance. Repeatedly missing adjustment appointments can lead to treatment being discontinued, as it extends the course and ties up limited NHS capacity. If you're struggling to attend, tell the practice rather than simply not turning up.
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 Angus
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Angus — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: