NHS Treatment in Lochside 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 | LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, Montrose — 4.2 miles; 5 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen — about 29 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 Lochside
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Lochside, 5 practices within 10 and 18 practices within 20. The closest is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, 4.2 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, 4.2 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICEMontrose | 4.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTREMontrose | 4.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| 53 JOHN STREETMontrose | 4.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| ESK DENTAL CAREBrechin | 9.0 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| R AND PM THOMSONBrechin | 9.3 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| ARDUTHIE DENTAL PRACTICEStonehaven | 15.5 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Lochside with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Montrose, 4.2 miles south; the next are Brechin (9.0 miles west) and Stonehaven (15.5 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Montrose | 3 | 4.2 miles south |
| Brechin | 2 | 9.0 miles west |
| Stonehaven | 4 | 15.5 miles north-east |
| Arbroath | 4 | 15.7 miles south |
| Forfar | 3 | 19.2 miles south-west |
| Banchory | 2 | 19.6 miles north |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Lochside, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Fountain Dental Group, 19.5 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, Montrose, 4.2 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 29 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Lochside are commissioned by NHS Grampian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Lochside follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. 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 Lochside
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 orthodontic waiting times in Aberdeenshire vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Orthodontic practices in and around Lochside vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Lochside sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Lochside is about 29 miles from Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen. Classified by ONS as accessible Rural, Lochside sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning. With 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, Lochside is better served than 63% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Lochside itself. The nearest recorded are LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 4 miles away; ESK DENTAL CARE in Brechin, about 9 miles away; and ARDUTHIE DENTAL PRACTICE in Stonehaven, about 16 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Lochside?
Many patients in Aberdeenshire wait 18 months or longer between NHS referral and treatment starting. During this period teeth continue to develop and cases can become more complex. Private treatment, while more expensive, begins promptly and offers far greater choice of treatment type.
How the NHS Route Works in Lochside
For eligible patients in Lochside, 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 Lochside.
- 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.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Lochside?
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Lochside comes down to a structured assessment. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
How Eligibility Is Scored
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Aberdeenshire.
Children's Orthodontics in Lochside
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Parents in Lochside increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Children's Orthodontics in Lochside — Local Context
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Lochside. ONS classifies Lochside as accessible Rural. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Grampian. Lochside sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (3), Lochside has more choice than 63% of towns in Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Lochside is about 29 miles from Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Lochside
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Lochside?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Lochside is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 4.2 miles to the south. The next closest are HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (4.2 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (4.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Lochside?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Lochside, 5 practices within 10 miles and 18 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Lochside?
The nearest practice to Lochside that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 4.2 miles to the south. Others nearby include HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (4.2 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (4.2 miles).
Which NHS body covers Lochside for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in Lochside falls under NHS Grampian.
Is Lochside rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Lochside falls under accessible Rural.
How deprived is Lochside compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Lochside 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 Lochside?
Haulkerton, Saint Cyrus, Hillside are within easy reach of Lochside.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Lochside?
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: