NHS Treatment in Silverhillocks at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Grampian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY, Macduff — 2.1 miles; 3 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen — about 37 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible 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 Silverhillocks
On our practice register: 2 practices within 5 miles of Silverhillocks, 3 practices within 10 and 13 practices within 20. The closest is MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY, 2.1 miles west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY, 2.1 miles west.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERYMacduff | 2.1 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| BANFF DENTAL PRACTICEBanff | 3.1 miles west | ✓ | – | – |
| TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICETurriff | 8.5 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| FAITHLIE DENTAL PRACTICEFraserburgh | 15.7 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| T/A FRASERBURGH DENTAL CAREFraserburgh | 15.9 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
| CLARK DENTAL CLINIC LTDFraserburgh | 16.0 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Silverhillocks with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Macduff, 2.1 miles west; the next are Banff (3.1 miles west) and Turriff (8.5 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Macduff | 1 | 2.1 miles west |
| Banff | 1 | 3.1 miles west |
| Turriff | 1 | 8.5 miles south |
| Fraserburgh | 4 | 15.7 miles east |
| Mintlaw | 1 | 18.6 miles south-east |
| Huntly | 3 | 19.5 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Silverhillocks
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is 8to8 Dental in Buckie (4.9 from 491 reviews), 19.6 miles west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 8to8 DentalBuckie | 4.9 (491 reviews) | 19.6 miles west |
| Deveron Dental Centre, HuntlyHuntly | 4.8 (160 reviews) | 19.9 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 Silverhillocks, 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, 32.9 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY, 2.1 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen, about 37 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Silverhillocks are commissioned by NHS Grampian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Silverhillocks 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. Understanding its limits helps families in Silverhillocks plan around realistic waiting times.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Silverhillocks
For eligible patients in Silverhillocks, 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 Silverhillocks.
- 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 Silverhillocks
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 Aberdeenshire vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
What's available in Silverhillocks depends on the practice, so it's worth checking directly what each one offers. Silverhillocks sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Silverhillocks is about 37 miles from Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen. Silverhillocks — accessible Rural by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Grampian for NHS dentistry. With 2 orthodontic practices within five miles, Silverhillocks is better served than 56% of towns in Scotland. There is no orthodontist on our records in Silverhillocks itself. The nearest we do hold are MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY, about 2 miles away; BANFF DENTAL PRACTICE, about 3 miles away; and TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE in Turriff, about 8 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 Silverhillocks?
Many patients in Aberdeenshire 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 Brace Eligibility in Silverhillocks
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Aberdeenshire to decide who receives funded treatment. This guide explains how IOTN works, who qualifies, and what private options exist if you don't.
How Eligibility Is Scored
Whether the NHS funds treatment comes down to the IOTN score, a standardised two-part measure used right across Aberdeenshire.
Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children in Silverhillocks
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. It means the right treatment at the right time rather than rushing in early.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Silverhillocks
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Silverhillocks?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Silverhillocks is MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY, about 2.1 miles to the west. The next closest are BANFF DENTAL PRACTICE (3.1 miles) and TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE (8.5 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Silverhillocks?
Our register has 2 practices within 5 miles of Silverhillocks, 3 practices within 10 miles and 13 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Silverhillocks?
The nearest practice to Silverhillocks that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is MACDUFF DENTAL SURGERY, about 2.1 miles to the west. Others nearby include BANFF DENTAL PRACTICE (3.1 miles) and TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICE (8.5 miles).
What NHS area is Silverhillocks in for dental services?
Silverhillocks sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning.
What kind of area is Silverhillocks?
ONS classifies Silverhillocks as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Silverhillocks compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Silverhillocks 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 Silverhillocks?
Nearby towns include Cotburn, Keilhill, Banff.
What does NHS orthodontic treatment include?
A standard NHS course covers the specialist assessment, all adjustment appointments, the brace itself, de-bonding, and retainers — all as one course of 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 Aberdeenshire
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