NHS Treatment in Longstone 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 | HMP EDINBURGH, Colinton — 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 Longstone
On our practice register: 106 practices within 5 miles of Longstone, 154 practices within 10 and 243 practices within 20. The closest is HMP EDINBURGH in Colinton, 0.5 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is HMP EDINBURGH, 0.5 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMP EDINBURGHColinton | 0.5 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| 1/2 HAILESLAND GARDENSColinton | 0.6 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| CRAIGLOCKHART CLINICColinton | 0.9 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| 21 BRIDGE ROADColinton | 0.9 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| THE CROSS DENTAL AND IMPLANT CENTREColinton | 0.9 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| SIGHTHILL HEALTH CENTREColinton | 1.0 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Longstone with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Colinton, 0.5 miles north; the next are Edinburgh (1.5 miles north-east) and Currie (1.6 miles south-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Colinton | 13 | 0.5 miles north |
| Edinburgh | 15 | 1.5 miles north-east |
| Currie | 1 | 1.6 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 Longstone
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Sunrise Dental Clinic I Award Winning Paediatric I Orthodontic I Implant & Smile Design Clinic in Colinton (4.9 from 219 reviews), 1.8 miles north-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Dental Clinic I Award Winning Paediatric I Orthodontic I Implant & Smile Design ClinicColinton | 4.9 (219 reviews) | 1.8 miles north-west |
| Ardmillan Orthodontics LtdEdinburgh | 4.5 (68 reviews) | 1.8 miles north-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Longstone, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Cornerstone Smile, 1.8 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is HMP EDINBURGH, Colinton, 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 Longstone are commissioned by NHS Lothian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Longstone, 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. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Longstone
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 City of Edinburgh vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Provision in Longstone varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Longstone's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Longstone is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 39 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. Longstone sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning. ONS classifies Longstone as large Urban Areas. With 106 orthodontic practices within five miles, Longstone is better served than 96% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Longstone itself. The closest on record are HMP EDINBURGH in Colinton, under a mile away; GORGIE DENTAL in Edinburgh, about 2 miles away; and 577 LANARK ROAD in Currie, about 2 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 the NHS Route Works in Longstone
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Longstone 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 Longstone.
- 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 Waiting Times in Longstone
NHS orthodontic waiting times in City of Edinburgh 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.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Longstone
For many families in Longstone, 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. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
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 Longstone?
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Longstone comes down to a structured assessment. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Longstone.
Private Alternatives If You're Not NHS-Eligible in Longstone
Patients who don't meet the IOTN threshold have several straightforward private options. A free photo assessment through Virtual Consultant Online is a quick first step to understand which treatments suit your case and what they typically cost locally — before committing to a paid in-person consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Longstone
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Longstone?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Longstone is HMP EDINBURGH in Colinton, about 0.5 miles to the north. The next closest are 1/2 HAILESLAND GARDENS (0.6 miles) and CRAIGLOCKHART CLINIC (0.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Longstone?
Our register has 106 practices within 5 miles of Longstone, 154 practices within 10 miles and 243 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Longstone?
The nearest practice to Longstone that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is HMP EDINBURGH in Colinton, about 0.5 miles to the north. Others nearby include 1/2 HAILESLAND GARDENS (0.6 miles) and CRAIGLOCKHART CLINIC (0.9 miles).
What NHS area is Longstone in for dental services?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lothian.
What kind of area is Longstone?
ONS classifies Longstone as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Longstone compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Longstone is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Longstone?
Nearby towns include Colinton, Woodhall, Hailes.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Longstone?
Typically 12-24 months in City of Edinburgh, 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 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: