NHS Treatment in Queensway at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Fife |
|---|---|
| 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 | NORTH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, Glenrothes — under a mile; 23 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 19 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 Queensway
On our practice register: 10 practices within 5 miles of Queensway, 26 practices within 10 and 222 practices within 20. The closest is NORTH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Glenrothes, 0.3 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is NORTH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, 0.3 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTH STREET DENTAL PRACTICEGlenrothes | 0.3 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| Saltire Dental Practice LtdGlenrothes | 0.8 miles south-west | ✓ | ✓ | 4.4 (115 reviews) |
| Balbirnie Oral Care LtdGlenrothes | 0.9 miles south-east | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6 (11 reviews) |
| BALBIRNIE ORAL CARE LTDMarkinch | 0.9 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| SALTIRE DENTAL PRACTICEGlenrothes | 0.9 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| BUPA DENTAL CAREThornton | 1.3 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Queensway with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Glenrothes, 0.3 miles south; the next are Markinch (0.9 miles south-east) and Thornton (1.3 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Glenrothes | 4 | 0.3 miles south |
| Markinch | 1 | 0.9 miles south-east |
| Thornton | 1 | 1.3 miles south |
| Coaltown of Balgonie | 1 | 1.5 miles south-east |
| Leslie | 1 | 1.9 miles west |
| Kirkcaldy | 5 | 4.9 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Queensway
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Balbirnie Oral Care Ltd in Glenrothes (4.6 from 11 reviews), 0.9 miles south-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Balbirnie Oral Care LtdGlenrothes | 4.6 (11 reviews) | 0.9 miles south-east |
| Saltire Dental Practice LtdGlenrothes | 4.4 (115 reviews) | 0.8 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 Queensway, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 1.6 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is NORTH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE, Glenrothes, 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 19 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Queensway are commissioned by NHS Fife. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Queensway follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. It's free for eligible under-18s and aimed primarily at children and teenagers with significant malocclusion. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Queensway
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Queensway runs like this:
- 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 Queensway.
- 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 Queensway
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 Fife differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Queensway. National deprivation data ranks Queensway among Scotland's more deprived areas. The nearest university dental hospital to Queensway is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 19 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. Classified by ONS as other Urban Areas, Queensway sits within NHS Fife for NHS dental commissioning. With 9 orthodontic practices within five miles, Queensway is better served than 76% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Queensway itself. The nearest recorded are NORTH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Glenrothes, under a mile away; BALBIRNIE ORAL CARE LTD in Markinch, under a mile away; and BUPA DENTAL CARE in Thornton, about a mile 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Queensway?
Many patients in Fife 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.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Queensway
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. 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 Queensway — Local Context
Practices serving Queensway differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Queensway is classified as other Urban Areas, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Fife. Queensway's deprivation ranking places it in a more deprived band than most of Scotland. With 9 orthodontic practices within five miles, Queensway is better served than 76% of towns in Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Queensway is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 19 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Queensway
Many patients in Queensway are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
Can Adults Get NHS Braces in Queensway?
In practice, NHS orthodontic treatment in Queensway 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 Queensway
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Queensway?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Queensway is NORTH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Glenrothes, about 0.3 miles to the south. The next closest are Saltire Dental Practice Ltd (0.8 miles) and Balbirnie Oral Care Ltd (0.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Queensway?
Our register has 10 practices within 5 miles of Queensway, 26 practices within 10 miles and 222 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Queensway?
The nearest practice to Queensway that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is NORTH STREET DENTAL PRACTICE in Glenrothes, about 0.3 miles to the south. Others nearby include Saltire Dental Practice Ltd (0.8 miles) and Balbirnie Oral Care Ltd (0.9 miles).
Which NHS body covers Queensway for dental care?
Queensway sits within NHS Fife for NHS dental commissioning.
What kind of area is Queensway?
By ONS classification, Queensway falls under other Urban Areas.
How deprived is Queensway compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Queensway 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 Queensway?
Nearby towns include Rimbleton, Alburne Park, South Parks.
What if the NHS wait is too long?
Private orthodontic treatment removes the waiting list entirely. It offers the same clinical outcomes with greater choice of brace type and typically a more personalised experience — at higher cost than the NHS charge.
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 Fife
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Fife — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: