NHS Treatment in Montrose at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Tayside |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | More deprived than most of Scotland |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, Montrose — under a mile; 5 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 26 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Other 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 Montrose
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Montrose, 5 practices within 10 and 18 practices within 20. The closest is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, 0.5 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, 0.5 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICEMontrose | 0.5 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTREMontrose | 0.5 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| 53 JOHN STREETMontrose | 0.5 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| ESK DENTAL CAREBrechin | 7.2 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| R AND PM THOMSONBrechin | 7.4 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| 121 HIGH STREETArbroath | 11.9 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Montrose with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Montrose, 0.5 miles south; the next are Brechin (7.2 miles west) and Arbroath (11.9 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Montrose | 3 | 0.5 miles south |
| Brechin | 2 | 7.2 miles west |
| Arbroath | 4 | 11.9 miles south |
| Forfar | 3 | 16.5 miles west |
| Carnoustie | 2 | 17.8 miles south-west |
| Stonehaven | 4 | 19.3 miles north-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Montrose, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE, Montrose, under a mile away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 2. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 26 miles away. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Montrose are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Montrose, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. Understanding its limits helps families in Montrose plan around realistic waiting times. People from Borrowfield, Hillside and Ferryden regularly visit orthodontists in Montrose.
NHS Waiting Times in Montrose
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Angus 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 Montrose
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. How long NHS treatment takes to start in Angus depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload. People from Borrowfield, Hillside, and Ferryden regularly make use of Montrose's orthodontic practices for NHS orthodontic access.
3 local orthodontic practices are listed in our database for Montrose. Montrose's deprivation ranking places it in a more deprived band than most of Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Montrose is about 26 miles from Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee. For NHS dental services, Montrose falls under NHS Tayside. By ONS classification, Montrose falls under other Urban Areas. Montrose has 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 63% of towns in Scotland. Looking at the 3 practices listed around Montrose, 3 record NHS provision. They reflect what practices state publicly, which is a useful shortlist but not a substitute for asking directly. 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Montrose
The NHS pathway in Montrose 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 Montrose.
- 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 Montrose?
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Angus to decide who receives funded treatment. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Montrose. People from Borrowfield, Hillside and Ferryden regularly visit orthodontists in Montrose.
How Eligibility Is Scored
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Angus.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Montrose
For many families in Montrose, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children. People from Borrowfield, Hillside and Ferryden regularly visit orthodontists in Montrose.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Montrose
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Montrose?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Montrose is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 0.5 miles to the south. The next closest are HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (0.5 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (0.5 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Montrose?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Montrose, 5 practices within 10 miles and 18 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Montrose?
The nearest practice to Montrose that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is LINKS LODGE DENTAL PRACTICE in Montrose, about 0.5 miles to the south. Others nearby include HIGH STREET DENTAL CENTRE (0.5 miles) and 53 JOHN STREET (0.5 miles).
What NHS area is Montrose in for dental services?
NHS dental commissioning in Montrose falls under NHS Tayside.
What kind of area is Montrose?
ONS classifies Montrose as other Urban Areas.
How deprived is Montrose compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Montrose is more deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Montrose?
Braehead Village, Dubton, Inchbraoch are within easy reach of Montrose.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
It's a genuine risk on a long waiting list — NHS funding is age-sensitive, so a case eligible at 16 might be assessed differently at 18. If you're close to that age and eligible now, ask about timescales; it can tip the decision toward going private.
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: