NHS Treatment in Northside at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Orkney |
|---|---|
| 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 | ORKNEY DENTAL, Stromness — 12.1 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 Northside
On our practice register: None within 10 miles of Northside; 5 practices within 20. The closest is ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, 12.1 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is ORKNEY DENTAL, 12.1 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 12.1 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICEKirkwall | 16.5 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALKirkwall | 16.6 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| DAISYBANK CLINICKirkwall | 16.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| THE BALFOURKirkwall | 16.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Northside with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Stromness, 12.1 miles south; the next are Kirkwall (16.5 miles south-east).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Northside, 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, 139.9 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is ORKNEY DENTAL, Stromness, 12.1 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Northside are commissioned by NHS Orkney. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Northside funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. 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 Orthodontic Costs in Northside
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Private treatment in Northside trades cost for speed and choice — around £1,500–£3,500 for metal braces, but starting within weeks and with ceramic, lingual and aligner options on the table.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Northside
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 Orkney Islands depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Practices serving Northside differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Northside's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Scotland. Northside sits within NHS Orkney for NHS dental commissioning. ONS classifies Northside as remote Rural. People in Northside usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 12 miles away. There is no orthodontist on our records in Northside itself. The nearest recorded are ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 12 miles away; KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE, about 16 miles away; and BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 38 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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Northside
For eligible patients in Northside, 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 Northside.
- 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.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Northside
For many families in Northside, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Children's Orthodontics in Northside — Local Context
Not every practice near Northside offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Officially, Northside is categorised as remote Rural. For NHS dental services, Northside falls under NHS Orkney. By national deprivation ranking, Northside sits among the less deprived areas of Scotland. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of Northside; the nearest is about 12 miles away. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Northside
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Northside comes down to a structured assessment. 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.
Eligibility in Northside — Local Context
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Orkney Islands vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Northside
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Northside?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Northside is ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 12.1 miles to the south. The next closest are KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (16.5 miles) and ORKNEY DENTAL (16.6 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Northside?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Northside, 0 practices within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Stromness, 12.1 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Northside?
The nearest practice to Northside that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 12.1 miles to the south. Others nearby include KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (16.5 miles) and ORKNEY DENTAL (16.6 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Northside?
NHS dental commissioning in Northside falls under NHS Orkney.
Is Northside rural or urban?
ONS classifies Northside as remote Rural.
How deprived is Northside compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Northside 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 Northside?
Northdyke, Birsay, Marwick are within easy reach of Northside.
How long does NHS treatment take?
18-24 months covers most moderate NHS cases, with complex cases running longer. Your orthodontist confirms a specific estimate after assessment.
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: