NHS Treatment in Hole at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing NHS | KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, Kirriemuir — 9.8 miles |
|---|---|
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 23 miles |
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 Hole
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Hole; 1 practice within 10 and 7 practices within 20. The closest is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, 9.8 miles south-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, 9.8 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICEKirriemuir | 9.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINICAlyth | 10.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| 64 HIGH STREETBlairgowrie and Rattray | 13.4 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| FORFAR DENTAL CAREForfar | 14.6 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| CASTLE STREET DENTALForfar | 14.6 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICEForfar | 14.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Hole with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Kirriemuir, 9.8 miles south-east; the next are Alyth (10.2 miles south) and Blairgowrie and Rattray (13.4 miles south-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Kirriemuir | 1 | 9.8 miles south-east |
| Alyth | 1 | 10.2 miles south |
| Blairgowrie and Rattray | 1 | 13.4 miles south-west |
| Forfar | 3 | 14.6 miles south-east |
| Coupar Angus | 1 | 15.6 miles south |
| Dunkeld | 1 | 20.4 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Hole, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Banchory Dental Practice, 32.8 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, 9.8 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 23 miles away. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Hole follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. Understanding its limits helps families in Hole plan around realistic waiting times.
How the NHS Route Works in Hole
For eligible patients in Hole, the NHS route follows a defined sequence from dentist to specialist:
- 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 Hole.
- 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 Costs in Hole
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Going private for the same metal braces in Hole costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Hole
NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s who meet the clinical threshold. Adults who do qualify pay a capped NHS charge, and the amount differs between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Waiting times for NHS orthodontic treatment in Angus differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Hole — comparing a couple is worthwhile. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Hole is about 23 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. There is no orthodontist on our records in Hole itself. The closest on record are KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 10 miles away; INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC in Alyth, about 10 miles away; and 64 HIGH STREET in Blairgowrie and Rattray, 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Hole
For many families in Hole, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Not every child who sees an orthodontist needs treatment right away, but early identification allows targeted intervention. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
The Age-7 Assessment
The British Orthodontic Society recommends an orthodontic assessment by age 7 for children with notable concerns. At age 7, most children have their first permanent molars and incisors, giving an orthodontist enough information to evaluate jaw relationships, arch development, bite patterns, and likely future crowding.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Hole?
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Angus apply the same national criteria consistently. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
What Is IOTN?
Whether the NHS funds treatment comes down to the IOTN score, a standardised two-part measure used right across Angus.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Hole
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Hole?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Hole is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 9.8 miles to the south-east. The next closest are INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC (10.2 miles) and 64 HIGH STREET (13.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Hole?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Hole, 1 practice within 10 miles and 7 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Kirriemuir, 9.8 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Hole?
The nearest practice to Hole that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 9.8 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC (10.2 miles) and 64 HIGH STREET (13.4 miles).
Which towns are close to Hole?
Nearby towns include Balnaboth, Inchmill, Kilry.
Which county covers Hole?
Hole is in Angus.
Is NHS orthodontic treatment as good as private?
Clinically, yes — specialist-delivered NHS treatment gets excellent results. The real differences are appliance choice and speed: NHS means metal braces and a wait, private opens up ceramic, aligner and lingual options straight away.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
It's a genuine risk on a long waiting list — NHS funding is age-sensitive, so a case eligible at 16 might be assessed differently at 18. If you're close to that age and eligible now, ask about timescales; it can tip the decision toward going private.
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: