NHS Treatment in Keithan at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Grampian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE, Turriff — 4.9 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen — about 25 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 Keithan
On our practice register: 1 practice within 5 miles of Keithan, 1 practice within 10 and 21 practices within 20. The closest is TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE in Turriff, 4.9 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE, 4.9 miles north-west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICETurriff | 4.9 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| OLDMELDRUM DENTAL PRACTICEOldmeldrum | 11.4 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERYMacduff | 12.8 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| GC DENTAL MINTLAWMintlaw | 12.9 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| BANFF DENTAL PRACTICEBanff | 13.1 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| YTHAN BRIDGE DENTAL CENTREEllon | 13.9 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Keithan with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Turriff, 4.9 miles north-west; the next are Oldmeldrum (11.4 miles south) and Macduff (12.8 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Turriff | 1 | 4.9 miles north-west |
| Oldmeldrum | 1 | 11.4 miles south |
| Macduff | 1 | 12.8 miles north-west |
| Mintlaw | 1 | 12.9 miles east |
| Banff | 1 | 13.1 miles north-west |
| Ellon | 2 | 13.9 miles south-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Keithan, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Dyce Dental Practice Family Dentist, 21.4 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE, Turriff, 4.9 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen, about 25 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Keithan are commissioned by NHS Grampian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Keithan, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Aberdeenshire.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Keithan
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 Aberdeenshire differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
What's available in Keithan depends on the practice, so it's worth checking directly what each one offers. Keithan's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Keithan is Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen, about 25 miles away. Keithan sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning. By ONS classification, Keithan falls under accessible Rural. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Keithan. The nearest we do hold are TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE in Turriff, about 5 miles away; OLDMELDRUM DENTAL PRACTICE, about 11 miles away; and MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY, 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Keithan
For eligible patients in Keithan, 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 Keithan.
- 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 Keithan
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Going private for the same metal braces in Keithan costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Keithan
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Keithan.
Eligibility in Keithan — Local Context
NHS waiting times in Aberdeenshire are not fixed — they depend on the referring practice and local demand at the time.
Children's Orthodontics in Keithan
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Keithan
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 Keithan
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Keithan?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Keithan is TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE in Turriff, about 4.9 miles to the north-west. The next closest are OLDMELDRUM DENTAL PRACTICE (11.4 miles) and MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY (12.8 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Keithan?
Our register has 1 practice within 5 miles of Keithan, 1 practice within 10 miles and 21 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Keithan?
The nearest practice to Keithan that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE in Turriff, about 4.9 miles to the north-west. Others nearby include OLDMELDRUM DENTAL PRACTICE (11.4 miles) and MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY (12.8 miles).
Which NHS body covers Keithan for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in Keithan falls under NHS Grampian.
Is Keithan rural or urban?
ONS classifies Keithan as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Keithan compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Keithan is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Keithan?
Cuminestown, Monkshill, Monquhitter are within easy reach of Keithan.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Keithan?
Typically 12-24 months in Aberdeenshire, sometimes more depending on the area. Private treatment skips the list entirely, usually starting within weeks.
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 Aberdeenshire
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Aberdeenshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: