NHS Treatment in Memsie at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Grampian |
|---|---|
| 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 | FAITHLIE DENTAL PRACTICE, Fraserburgh — 2.7 miles; 5 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen — about 34 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 Memsie
On our practice register: 4 practices within 5 miles of Memsie, 5 practices within 10 and 13 practices within 20. The closest is FAITHLIE DENTAL PRACTICE in Fraserburgh, 2.7 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is FAITHLIE DENTAL PRACTICE, 2.7 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAITHLIE DENTAL PRACTICEFraserburgh | 2.7 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| CLARK DENTAL CLINIC LTDFraserburgh | 3.2 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| T/A FRASERBURGH DENTAL CAREFraserburgh | 3.2 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| T/A FRITHSIDE DENTAL CAREFraserburgh | 3.2 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| GC DENTAL MINTLAWMintlaw | 8.7 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| QUEEN STREET DENTAL PRACTICEPeterhead | 13.6 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Memsie with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Fraserburgh, 2.7 miles north; the next are Mintlaw (8.7 miles south) and Peterhead (13.6 miles south-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Fraserburgh | 4 | 2.7 miles north |
| Mintlaw | 1 | 8.7 miles south |
| Peterhead | 2 | 13.6 miles south-east |
| Boddam | 1 | 15.6 miles south-east |
| Macduff | 1 | 16.8 miles west |
| Turriff | 1 | 17.4 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Memsie, 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, 31.2 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is FAITHLIE DENTAL PRACTICE, Fraserburgh, 2.7 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 34 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Memsie 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 Memsie 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. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Memsie?
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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Memsie
The NHS pathway in Memsie is well-structured — here's what to expect at each stage:
- 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 Memsie.
- 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 Orthodontic Access in Memsie
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.
What's available in Memsie depends on the practice, so it's worth checking directly what each one offers. Memsie falls in a less deprived area than most of Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Memsie is about 34 miles from Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen. For NHS dental services, Memsie falls under NHS Grampian. Memsie's ONS geography type is accessible Rural. Memsie has 4 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 68% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Memsie itself. The nearest we do hold are FAITHLIE DENTAL PRACTICE in Fraserburgh, about 3 miles away; GC DENTAL MINTLAW, about 9 miles away; and QUEEN STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Peterhead, about 14 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.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Memsie
Many patients in Memsie are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. 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.
Private Alternatives If You're Not NHS-Eligible in Memsie
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.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Memsie
Orthodontic problems in children are often best identified early. 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.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Memsie
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 Memsie
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Memsie?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Memsie is FAITHLIE DENTAL PRACTICE in Fraserburgh, about 2.7 miles to the north. The next closest are CLARK DENTAL CLINIC LTD (3.2 miles) and T/A FRASERBURGH DENTAL CARE (3.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Memsie?
Our register has 4 practices within 5 miles of Memsie, 5 practices within 10 miles and 13 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Memsie?
The nearest practice to Memsie that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is FAITHLIE DENTAL PRACTICE in Fraserburgh, about 2.7 miles to the north. Others nearby include CLARK DENTAL CLINIC LTD (3.2 miles) and T/A FRASERBURGH DENTAL CARE (3.2 miles).
What NHS area is Memsie in for dental services?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Grampian.
Is Memsie rural or urban?
ONS classifies Memsie as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Memsie compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Memsie is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Memsie?
Strichen, Pitblae, Broadsea are within easy reach of Memsie.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Memsie?
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
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