NHS Treatment in Queensferry at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Lothian |
|---|---|
| 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 | 1 BELLSTANE, Queensferry — under a mile; 27 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Glasgow Dental Hospital, Glasgow — about 35 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 Queensferry
On our practice register: 16 practices within 5 miles of Queensferry, 163 practices within 10 and 266 practices within 20. The closest is 1 BELLSTANE in Queensferry, 0.1 miles north-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is 1 BELLSTANE, 0.1 miles north-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 BELLSTANEQueensferry | 0.1 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| FERRYBURN DENTAL CAREQueensferry | 0.4 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 17 MAIN STREETKirkliston | 2.3 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| PICKERING DENTAL CAREInverkeithing | 2.8 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| Rosyth Dental CareRosyth | 3.5 miles north | ✓ | ✓ | 4.7 (86 reviews) |
| CHONG KWAN ROSYTHRosyth | 3.6 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Queensferry with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Queensferry, 0.1 miles north-east; the next are Kirkliston (2.3 miles south) and Inverkeithing (2.8 miles north).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Queensferry | 2 | 0.1 miles north-east |
| Kirkliston | 1 | 2.3 miles south |
| Inverkeithing | 1 | 2.8 miles north |
| Rosyth | 3 | 3.5 miles north |
| Dalgety Bay | 2 | 3.6 miles north-east |
| Clermiston | 2 | 4.6 miles south-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Queensferry
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Dentistry @ No 3 in Dunfermline (4.9 from 579 reviews), 5.8 miles north.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Dentistry @ No 3Dunfermline | 4.9 (579 reviews) | 5.8 miles north |
| Sunrise Dental Clinic I Award Winning Paediatric I Orthodontic I Implant & Smile Design ClinicColinton | 4.9 (219 reviews) | 5.6 miles south-east |
| Rosyth Dental CareRosyth | 4.7 (86 reviews) | 3.5 miles north |
| Broxburn Smile CentreBroxburn | 4.2 (12 reviews) | 4.7 miles south-west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Queensferry, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is 1 BELLSTANE, Queensferry, 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 Glasgow Dental Hospital in Glasgow, about 35 miles away. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Queensferry 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 Queensferry funds treatment for patients who meet the IOTN clinical need threshold. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively. People from Port Edgar, North Queensferry and Almondhill regularly visit orthodontists in Queensferry.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Queensferry
For eligible patients in Queensferry, 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 Queensferry.
- 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Queensferry?
Many patients in City of Edinburgh 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.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Queensferry
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 City of Edinburgh differ considerably between practices and can change over time. People from Port Edgar, North Queensferry, and Almondhill regularly make use of Queensferry's orthodontic practices for NHS orthodontic access.
2 local orthodontic practices are listed in our database for Queensferry. National deprivation data ranks Queensferry among Scotland's less deprived areas. The nearest university dental hospital to Queensferry is Glasgow Dental Hospital, Glasgow, about 35 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. NHS Lothian is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Queensferry. Queensferry's ONS geography type is other Urban Areas. With 16 orthodontic practices within five miles, Queensferry is better served than 81% of towns in Scotland. Across the 2 orthodontic practices we hold records for near Queensferry, 2 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.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Queensferry
Eligibility for NHS braces is decided by a clinical scoring system, not by appearance alone. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. Knowing where you stand before the referral process saves time and manages expectations in Queensferry. People from Port Edgar, North Queensferry and Almondhill regularly visit orthodontists in Queensferry.
Eligibility in Queensferry — Local Context
How long NHS treatment takes to start in City of Edinburgh depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload. People from Port Edgar, North Queensferry, and Almondhill regularly make use of Queensferry's orthodontic practices for NHS orthodontic eligibility assessment.
Children's Orthodontics in Queensferry
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Not every child who sees an orthodontist needs treatment right away, but early identification allows targeted intervention. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children. People from Port Edgar, North Queensferry and Almondhill regularly visit orthodontists in Queensferry.
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 Queensferry
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Queensferry?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Queensferry is 1 BELLSTANE in Queensferry, about 0.1 miles to the north-east. The next closest are FERRYBURN DENTAL CARE (0.4 miles) and 17 MAIN STREET (2.3 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Queensferry?
Our register has 16 practices within 5 miles of Queensferry, 163 practices within 10 miles and 266 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Queensferry?
The nearest practice to Queensferry that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is 1 BELLSTANE in Queensferry, about 0.1 miles to the north-east. Others nearby include FERRYBURN DENTAL CARE (0.4 miles) and 17 MAIN STREET (2.3 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Queensferry?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lothian.
Is Queensferry rural or urban?
ONS classifies Queensferry as other Urban Areas.
How deprived is Queensferry compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Queensferry 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 Queensferry?
Ingliston, Fordell Firs, Inverkeithing are within easy reach of Queensferry.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Queensferry?
Typically 12-24 months in City of Edinburgh, 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 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: