NHS Treatment in Quindry 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 — 10.7 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 Quindry
On our practice register: None within 10 miles of Quindry; 5 practices within 20. The closest is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, 10.7 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is THE BALFOUR, 10.7 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BALFOURKirkwall | 10.7 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALKirkwall | 11.1 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICEKirkwall | 11.2 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| DAISYBANK CLINICKirkwall | 11.4 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 14.8 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTREThurso | 24.7 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Quindry with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Kirkwall, 10.7 miles north; the next are Stromness (14.8 miles north-west) and Thurso (24.7 miles south-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkwall | 4 | 10.7 miles north |
| Stromness | 1 | 14.8 miles north-west |
| Thurso | 3 | 24.7 miles south-west |
| Wick | 2 | 25.4 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Quindry, 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, 115.5 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, 10.7 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Quindry are commissioned by NHS Orkney. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Quindry, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. Knowing what the NHS can and cannot provide makes the NHS-versus-private decision clearer.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Quindry
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 Orkney Islands vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Provision in Quindry varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Quindry sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. NHS Orkney is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Quindry. ONS classifies Quindry as remote Rural. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of Quindry; the nearest is about 11 miles away. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Quindry itself. The closest on record are THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 11 miles away; ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 15 miles away; and BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 25 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.
How Long Is the NHS Wait in Quindry?
Many patients in Orkney Islands 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.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Quindry
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Quindry 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 Quindry.
- 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Quindry
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. Early review can prevent more complex problems later and simplify treatment when it does begin.
The Age-7 Assessment
British Orthodontic Society guidance points to age 7 for an assessment where there's a noticeable concern — by then most children have their first permanent molars and incisors through, which is enough for an orthodontist to judge jaw relationships, arch development, bite and likely future crowding.
NHS Brace Eligibility in Quindry
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. NHS-contracted orthodontists in Orkney Islands apply the same national criteria consistently. If NHS funding isn't available, private treatment has no eligibility threshold and no waiting list.
Can Adults Get NHS Braces in Quindry?
In practice, NHS orthodontic treatment in Quindry 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 Quindry
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Quindry?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Quindry is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 10.7 miles to the north. The next closest are ORKNEY DENTAL (11.1 miles) and KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (11.2 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Quindry?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Quindry, 0 practices within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Kirkwall, 10.7 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Quindry?
The nearest practice to Quindry that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 10.7 miles to the north. Others nearby include ORKNEY DENTAL (11.1 miles) and KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (11.2 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Quindry?
NHS dental commissioning in Quindry falls under NHS Orkney.
Is Quindry rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Quindry falls under remote Rural.
How deprived is Quindry compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Quindry 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 Quindry?
Newbigging, Cleat, Saint Margaret's Hope are within easy reach of Quindry.
How long is the NHS orthodontic wait in Quindry?
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Orkney Islands typically range from 12 to 24 months — and in some areas longer. Private treatment has no waiting list and usually begins within weeks of consultation.
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: