NHS Treatment in Saint Mary's 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 — 5.3 miles; 4 within 10 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 Saint Mary's
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Saint Mary's; 4 practices within 10 and 5 practices within 20. The closest is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, 5.3 miles north. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is THE BALFOUR, 5.3 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BALFOURKirkwall | 5.3 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALKirkwall | 5.7 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICEKirkwall | 5.8 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| DAISYBANK CLINICKirkwall | 5.9 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 14.2 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Saint Mary's with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Kirkwall, 5.3 miles north; the next are Stromness (14.2 miles west).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Saint Mary's, 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, 120.2 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, 5.3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Saint Mary's are commissioned by NHS Orkney. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Saint Mary's follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Saint Mary's
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 Orkney Islands differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Saint Mary's. By national deprivation ranking, Saint Mary's is roughly mid-table for Scotland. Saint Mary's sits within NHS Orkney for NHS dental commissioning. By ONS classification, Saint Mary's falls under remote Rural. Saint Mary's has no orthodontic practice within five miles on our register, and the closest is roughly 5 miles away. There is no orthodontist on our records in Saint Mary's itself. The closest on record are THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 5 miles away; ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 14 miles away; and BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 30 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 Saint Mary's?
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.
What NHS Treatment Costs in Saint Mary's
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Saint Mary's typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
Children's Orthodontics in Saint Mary's
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
Children's Orthodontics in Saint Mary's — Local Context
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Saint Mary's. Saint Mary's — remote Rural by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Orkney for NHS dentistry. By national deprivation ranking, Saint Mary's is roughly mid-table for Scotland. Saint Mary's has no orthodontic practice within five miles on our register, and the closest is roughly 5 miles away. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Saint Mary's
Whether you or your child qualifies for NHS treatment in Saint Mary's comes down to a structured assessment. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
Eligibility in Saint Mary's — Local Context
How long NHS treatment takes to start in Orkney Islands depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Saint Mary's
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Saint Mary's?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Saint Mary's is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 5.3 miles to the north. The next closest are ORKNEY DENTAL (5.7 miles) and KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (5.8 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Saint Mary's?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Saint Mary's, 4 practices within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Kirkwall, 5.3 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Saint Mary's?
The nearest practice to Saint Mary's that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 5.3 miles to the north. Others nearby include ORKNEY DENTAL (5.7 miles) and KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICE (5.8 miles).
Which NHS body covers Saint Mary's for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in Saint Mary's falls under NHS Orkney.
Is Saint Mary's rural or urban?
ONS classifies Saint Mary's as remote Rural.
How deprived is Saint Mary's compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Saint Mary's is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Saint Mary's?
Nearby towns include Foubister, Nether Button, Northtown.
How much do NHS braces cost?
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. Adults on certain benefits or low incomes can be exempt, and one charge covers the full course from fitting to retainers.
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: