NHS Treatment in Makerstoun at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Borders |
|---|---|
| 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 | KELSO DENTAL CARE, Kelso — 3.5 miles; 4 within 10 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 Makerstoun
On our practice register: 2 practices within 5 miles of Makerstoun, 4 practices within 10 and 14 practices within 20. The closest is KELSO DENTAL CARE, 3.5 miles east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is KELSO DENTAL CARE, 3.5 miles east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KELSO DENTAL CAREKelso | 3.5 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| THE CORN EXCHANGEKelso | 3.5 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| JEDBURGH FAMILY DENTAL PRACTICEJedburgh | 7.8 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| CLEARWATER DENTALJedburgh | 7.8 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINICGalashiels | 11.3 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| 54 LADHOPE VALEGalashiels | 11.4 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Makerstoun with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Kelso, 3.5 miles east; the next are Jedburgh (7.8 miles south) and Galashiels (11.3 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Kelso | 2 | 3.5 miles east |
| Jedburgh | 2 | 7.8 miles south |
| Galashiels | 3 | 11.3 miles west |
| Selkirk | 1 | 13.0 miles west |
| Duns | 2 | 14.7 miles north-east |
| Hawick | 4 | 15.3 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Makerstoun, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Edinburgh Dental, 34.9 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is KELSO DENTAL CARE, 3.5 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Makerstoun are commissioned by NHS Borders. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Makerstoun, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
NHS Waiting Times in Makerstoun
NHS orthodontic waiting times in The Scottish Borders 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Makerstoun
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 The Scottish Borders vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Orthodontic practices in and around Makerstoun vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Makerstoun's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Scotland. NHS Borders is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Makerstoun. Officially, Makerstoun is categorised as accessible Rural. With 2 orthodontic practices within five miles, Makerstoun is better served than 56% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Makerstoun. The closest on record are KELSO DENTAL CARE, about 4 miles away; JEDBURGH FAMILY DENTAL PRACTICE, about 8 miles away; and INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC in Galashiels, about 11 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 Makerstoun
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Going private for the same metal braces in Makerstoun costs roughly £1,500–£3,500; you're paying for immediate access and appliance choice rather than a better clinical result.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Makerstoun
Children's orthodontics in Makerstoun covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. Not every child who sees an orthodontist needs treatment right away, but early identification allows targeted intervention. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
NHS Orthodontics for Children in Makerstoun
Children in Makerstoun who meet the IOTN eligibility threshold are entitled to NHS-funded orthodontic treatment. Referrals are made by the child's dentist once most adult teeth have erupted. NHS treatment for children is almost always metal fixed braces.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Makerstoun
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. 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 Makerstoun.
What Is IOTN?
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout The Scottish Borders.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Makerstoun
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Makerstoun?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Makerstoun is KELSO DENTAL CARE, about 3.5 miles to the east. The next closest are THE CORN EXCHANGE (3.5 miles) and JEDBURGH FAMILY DENTAL PRACTICE (7.8 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Makerstoun?
Our register has 2 practices within 5 miles of Makerstoun, 4 practices within 10 miles and 14 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Makerstoun?
The nearest practice to Makerstoun that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is KELSO DENTAL CARE, about 3.5 miles to the east. Others nearby include THE CORN EXCHANGE (3.5 miles) and JEDBURGH FAMILY DENTAL PRACTICE (7.8 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Makerstoun?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Borders.
What kind of area is Makerstoun?
ONS classifies Makerstoun as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Makerstoun compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Makerstoun 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 Makerstoun?
Harrietsfield, Heiton, Nenthorn are within easy reach of Makerstoun.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Makerstoun?
Typically 12-24 months in The Scottish Borders, 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 The Scottish Borders
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in The Scottish Borders — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: