NHS Treatment in Kaimes at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Lothian |
|---|---|
| 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 | SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTD, Loanhead — under a mile; 29 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 39 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Large Urban Areas |
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 Kaimes
On our practice register: 105 practices within 5 miles of Kaimes, 142 practices within 10 and 232 practices within 20. The closest is SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTD in Loanhead, 0.6 miles east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTD, 0.6 miles east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTDLoanhead | 0.6 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| 1 LIBERTON BRAEDanderhall | 1.3 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| FAIRMILEHEAD DENTAL PRACTICEColinton | 1.4 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| BRITE DENTAL GILMERTONDanderhall | 1.4 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| 50 FOUNTAIN PLACELoanhead | 1.6 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| Southside Dental CareEdinburgh | 1.9 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (437 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Kaimes with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Loanhead, 0.6 miles east; the next are Danderhall (1.3 miles north) and Colinton (1.4 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Loanhead | 2 | 0.6 miles east |
| Danderhall | 3 | 1.3 miles north |
| Colinton | 2 | 1.4 miles west |
| Edinburgh | 18 | 1.9 miles north |
| Bonnyrigg | 3 | 2.9 miles south-east |
| Roslin | 1 | 3.0 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Kaimes, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Edinburgh Dental, 2.3 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTD, Loanhead, under a mile 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 39 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Kaimes are commissioned by NHS Lothian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Kaimes funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Kaimes
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. NHS waiting times in City of Edinburgh are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Provision in Kaimes varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. National deprivation data ranks Kaimes among Scotland's less deprived areas. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Kaimes is about 39 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. Kaimes — large Urban Areas by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Lothian for NHS dentistry. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (105), Kaimes has more choice than 96% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Kaimes. The nearest recorded are SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTD in Loanhead, under a mile away; 1 LIBERTON BRAE in Danderhall, about a mile away; and FAIRMILEHEAD DENTAL PRACTICE in Colinton, about a mile 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Kaimes
The NHS pathway in Kaimes 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 Kaimes.
- 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 vs Private Fees in Kaimes
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Private treatment in Kaimes trades cost for speed and choice — around £1,500–£3,500 for metal braces, but starting within weeks and with ceramic, lingual and aligner options on the table.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Kaimes
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. NHS-contracted orthodontists in City of Edinburgh apply the same national criteria consistently. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
How Eligibility Is Scored
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout City of Edinburgh.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Kaimes
Children's orthodontics in Kaimes covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. 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 Kaimes
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Kaimes
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Kaimes?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Kaimes is SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTD in Loanhead, about 0.6 miles to the east. The next closest are 1 LIBERTON BRAE (1.3 miles) and FAIRMILEHEAD DENTAL PRACTICE (1.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Kaimes?
Our register has 105 practices within 5 miles of Kaimes, 142 practices within 10 miles and 232 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Kaimes?
The nearest practice to Kaimes that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is SHANKS DENTAL CARE LTD in Loanhead, about 0.6 miles to the east. Others nearby include 1 LIBERTON BRAE (1.3 miles) and FAIRMILEHEAD DENTAL PRACTICE (1.4 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Kaimes?
Kaimes sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning.
What kind of area is Kaimes?
ONS classifies Kaimes as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Kaimes compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Kaimes 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 Kaimes?
Mortonhall, Loanhead, Alnwickhill are within easy reach of Kaimes.
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 City of Edinburgh
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in City of Edinburgh — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: