NHS Treatment in Nether Button at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Orkney |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | THE BALFOUR, Kirkwall — 3.9 miles; 4 within 10 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Remote 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 Nether Button
On our practice register: 4 practices within 5 miles of Nether Button, 4 practices within 10 and 5 practices within 20. The closest is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, 3.9 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is THE BALFOUR, 3.9 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BALFOURKirkwall | 3.9 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALKirkwall | 4.3 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| DAISYBANK CLINICKirkwall | 4.4 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICEKirkwall | 4.4 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 13.4 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Nether Button with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Kirkwall, 3.9 miles north; the next are Stromness (13.4 miles west).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Nether Button, 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, 121.7 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is THE BALFOUR, Kirkwall, 3.9 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Nether Button are commissioned by NHS Orkney. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in Nether Button focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. 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 Orkney Islands.
NHS Waiting Times in Nether Button
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Orkney Islands 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 vs Private Fees in Nether Button
An NHS course covers the entire treatment: appointments, the brace, adjustments, de-bonding and retainers.
Equivalent private metal braces in Nether Button typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Nether Button
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 Orkney Islands differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Nether Button. By national deprivation ranking, Nether Button is roughly mid-table for Scotland. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Orkney. Nether Button is classified as remote Rural. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (4), Nether Button has more choice than 68% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Nether Button. The nearest we do hold are THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 4 miles away; ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 13 miles away; and BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 31 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 Nether Button
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Orkney Islands apply the same national criteria consistently. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
How Eligibility Is Scored
NHS eligibility is decided by the IOTN — a two-part clinical index applied consistently by orthodontists throughout Orkney Islands.
Children's Orthodontics in Nether Button
Children's orthodontics in Nether Button covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. Parents in Nether Button increasingly bring children for a first assessment around age 7-8. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Nether Button
Space maintainers hold open the gap left by a prematurely lost baby tooth, preventing neighbouring teeth from drifting in before the adult tooth erupts.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Nether Button
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Nether Button?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Nether Button is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 3.9 miles to the north. The next closest are ORKNEY DENTAL (4.3 miles) and DAISYBANK CLINIC (4.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Nether Button?
Our register has 4 practices within 5 miles of Nether Button, 4 practices within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Nether Button?
The nearest practice to Nether Button that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 3.9 miles to the north. Others nearby include ORKNEY DENTAL (4.3 miles) and DAISYBANK CLINIC (4.4 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Nether Button?
NHS dental commissioning in Nether Button falls under NHS Orkney.
Is Nether Button rural or urban?
ONS classifies Nether Button as remote Rural.
How deprived is Nether Button compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Nether Button 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 Nether Button?
Nearby towns include Saint Mary's, Scapa, Burray Village.
Is NHS orthodontic treatment as good as private?
NHS orthodontic treatment delivered by specialist orthodontists achieves excellent clinical results. The key differences: NHS is almost exclusively metal braces with a waiting list; private offers ceramic, aligner, and lingual options with immediate access.
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 Orkney Islands
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Orkney Islands — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: