NHS Treatment in Queen Street at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Lothian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | EDINBURGH GUMS & TEETH, Edinburgh — under a mile; 25 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 36 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Large 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 Queen Street
On our practice register: 116 practices within 5 miles of Queen Street, 149 practices within 10 and 242 practices within 20. The closest is Edinburgh Dental Specialists, 0.2 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is EDINBURGH GUMS & TEETH, 0.2 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDINBURGH GUMS & TEETHEdinburgh | 0.2 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| FREDERICK STREET DENTAL CAREEdinburgh | 0.3 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| Cherrybank Dental SpaEdinburgh | 0.3 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.8 (419 reviews) |
| EARL GREY DENTAL PRACTICEEdinburgh | 0.4 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| Edinburgh Dental StudioEdinburgh | 0.4 miles west | ✓ | ✓ | 5.0 (242 reviews) |
| 4 GREAT STUART STREETEdinburgh | 0.4 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Queen Street
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is The Row Dental Edinburgh (5.0 from 346 reviews), 0.6 miles north-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| The Row Dental EdinburghEdinburgh | 5.0 (346 reviews) | 0.6 miles north-east |
| Edinburgh Dental StudioEdinburgh | 5.0 (242 reviews) | 0.4 miles west |
| Cherrybank Dental SpaEdinburgh | 4.8 (419 reviews) | 0.3 miles north |
| Scottish Orthodontics CarlukeEdinburgh | 4.4 (61 reviews) | 0.7 miles north-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Queen Street, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Lisa Lee Acupuncture, under a mile away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is EDINBURGH GUMS & TEETH, under a mile away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 36 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Queen Street are commissioned by NHS Lothian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontics in Queen Street 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. Understanding its limits helps families in Queen Street plan around realistic waiting times.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Queen Street
The NHS pathway in Queen Street 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 Queen Street.
- 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 Queen Street
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 City of Edinburgh vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Queen Street. Queen Street sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. The nearest university dental hospital to Queen Street is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 36 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. Classified by ONS as large Urban Areas, Queen Street sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (116), Queen Street has more choice than 97% of towns in Scotland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Queen Street itself. The nearest we do hold are Edinburgh Dental Specialists, under a mile away; CRAIGLOCKHART CLINIC in Colinton, about 2 miles away; and 1 LIBERTON BRAE in Danderhall, about 2 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 Queen Street
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Equivalent private metal braces in Queen Street typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Queen Street
Children's orthodontics in Queen Street covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. The aim is to monitor development and intervene at the right time, not to begin treatment immediately. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
Children's Orthodontics in Queen Street — Local Context
Orthodontic practices in and around Queen Street vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. By ONS classification, Queen Street falls under large Urban Areas. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lothian. Queen Street's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. With 116 orthodontic practices within five miles, Queen Street is better served than 97% of towns in Scotland. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Queen Street is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 36 miles away. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Queen Street
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. NHS-contracted orthodontists in City of Edinburgh apply the same national criteria consistently. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
Can Adults Get NHS Braces in Queen Street?
In practice, NHS orthodontic treatment in Queen Street is almost exclusively for patients under 18. Adult NHS orthodontic slots are very limited and reserved for exceptional functional cases. Adults seeking orthodontic treatment should plan for private care — no waiting list and full choice of treatment type.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Queen Street
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Queen Street?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Queen Street is Edinburgh Dental Specialists, about 0.2 miles to the north-west. The next closest are EDINBURGH GUMS & TEETH (0.2 miles) and Smile Direct Club (0.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Queen Street?
Our register has 116 practices within 5 miles of Queen Street, 149 practices within 10 miles and 242 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Queen Street?
The nearest practice to Queen Street that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is EDINBURGH GUMS & TEETH, about 0.2 miles to the north. Others nearby include FREDERICK STREET DENTAL CARE (0.3 miles) and Cherrybank Dental Spa (0.3 miles).
What NHS area is Queen Street in for dental services?
NHS dental commissioning in Queen Street falls under NHS Lothian.
Is Queen Street rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Queen Street falls under large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Queen Street compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Queen Street is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Queen Street?
Nearby towns include Sciennes, Canonmills, Roxburgh's Court.
Will I lose NHS eligibility if I turn 18 while waiting?
This is a real risk with long waiting lists. NHS orthodontic funding is age-sensitive, so a case that qualifies at 16 may be assessed differently once you turn 18. If you're close to 18 and eligible, ask your dentist about timescales — it can be a reason to consider private treatment.
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 City of Edinburgh
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in City of Edinburgh — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: