NHS Treatment in Lunan at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Tayside |
|---|---|
| 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 miles; 9 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 23 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 Lunan
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Lunan, 9 practices within 10 and 24 practices within 20. The closest is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, 4.0 miles north-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, 4.0 miles north-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICEMontrose | 4.0 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTREMontrose | 4.0 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 53 JOHN STREETMontrose | 4.0 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 121 HIGH STREETArbroath | 7.5 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| ESK DENTAL CAREBrechin | 7.5 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| IAN ROBERTSON DENTAL CAREArbroath | 7.6 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Lunan with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Montrose, 4.0 miles north-east; the next are Arbroath (7.5 miles south) and Brechin (7.5 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Montrose | 3 | 4.0 miles north-east |
| Arbroath | 4 | 7.5 miles south |
| Brechin | 2 | 7.5 miles north-west |
| Carnoustie | 2 | 13.5 miles south-west |
| Forfar | 3 | 14.2 miles west |
| Monifieth | 4 | 17.0 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 Lunan
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Perla Orthodontics in Tayport (4.7 from 13 reviews), 19.5 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Perla OrthodonticsTayport | 4.7 (13 reviews) | 19.5 miles south-west |
| Oris Dental & Implant StudioMonifieth | 4.6 (87 reviews) | 17.0 miles south-west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Lunan, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Fountain Dental Group, 27 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 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. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Lunan are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Lunan 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 Angus.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Lunan
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 Angus differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Practices serving Lunan differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Lunan sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Lunan is about 23 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. Classified by ONS as accessible Rural, Lunan sits within NHS Tayside for NHS dental commissioning. Lunan has 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 63% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Lunan. The closest on record are LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 4 miles away; 121 HIGH STREET in Arbroath, about 8 miles away; and ESK DENTAL CARE in Brechin, about 8 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.
NHS Orthodontic Costs in Lunan
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Lunan typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Lunan
For eligible patients in Lunan, 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 Lunan.
- 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 Lunan?
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. 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.
Can Adults Get NHS Braces in Lunan?
In practice, NHS orthodontic treatment in Lunan is almost exclusively for patients under 18. Adult NHS orthodontic slots are very limited and reserved for exceptional functional cases. Adults seeking orthodontic treatment should plan for private care — no waiting list and full choice of treatment type.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Lunan
Children's orthodontics in Lunan covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
NHS Treatment for Children in Lunan
Eligible children under 18 in Lunan are entitled to NHS orthodontic treatment free of charge. The process starts with a dentist IOTN assessment and formal referral to the local NHS orthodontic service.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Lunan
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Lunan?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Lunan is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 4.0 miles to the north-east. The next closest are HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (4.0 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (4.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Lunan?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Lunan, 9 practices within 10 miles and 24 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Lunan?
The nearest practice to Lunan that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 4.0 miles to the north-east. Others nearby include HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (4.0 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (4.0 miles).
Which NHS body covers Lunan for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Tayside.
Is Lunan rural or urban?
ONS classifies Lunan as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Lunan compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Lunan is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Lunan?
Braehead Village, Inchbraoch, Inverkeilor are within easy reach of Lunan.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
This is a real risk with long waiting lists. NHS orthodontic funding is age-sensitive, so a case that qualifies at 16 may be assessed differently once you turn 18. If you're close to 18 and eligible, ask your dentist about timescales — it can be a reason to consider private treatment.
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: