NHS Treatment in Stirches at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Borders |
|---|---|
| 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 | 41 NORTH BRIDGE STREET, Hawick — under a mile; 7 within 10 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 Stirches
On our practice register: 4 practices within 5 miles of Stirches, 7 practices within 10 and 12 practices within 20. The closest is 41 NORTH BRIDGE STREET in Hawick, 0.3 miles south-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is 41 NORTH BRIDGE STREET, 0.3 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 NORTH BRIDGE STREETHawick | 0.3 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| TEVIOT DENTAL PRACTICEHawick | 0.3 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| NHS BORDERS DENTAL CENTREHawick | 0.4 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| G K DENTALHawick | 0.5 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| SELKIRK DENTAL PRACTICESelkirk | 8.3 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| CLEARWATER DENTALJedburgh | 9.8 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Stirches with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Hawick, 0.3 miles south-east; the next are Selkirk (8.3 miles north) and Jedburgh (9.8 miles east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Hawick | 4 | 0.3 miles south-east |
| Selkirk | 1 | 8.3 miles north |
| Jedburgh | 2 | 9.8 miles east |
| Galashiels | 3 | 12.7 miles north |
| Kelso | 2 | 18.2 miles north-east |
| Peebles | 4 | 21.1 miles north-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Stirches, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Edinburgh Dental, 37.9 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is 41 NORTH BRIDGE STREET, Hawick, under a mile away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Stirches are commissioned by NHS Borders. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Stirches follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across The Scottish Borders.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Stirches
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 The Scottish Borders vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Not every practice near Stirches offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Stirches falls in a more deprived area than most of Scotland, which can be relevant to NHS orthodontic eligibility. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Borders. Stirches is classified as other Urban Areas. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (4), Stirches has more choice than 68% of towns in Scotland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Stirches itself. The closest on record are 41 NORTH BRIDGE STREET in Hawick, under a mile away; SELKIRK DENTAL PRACTICE, about 8 miles away; and CLEARWATER DENTAL in Jedburgh, about 10 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.
NHS vs Private Fees in Stirches
The NHS route covers the whole course, from the specialist assessment to the retainers at the end.
Equivalent private metal braces in Stirches typically run £1,500–£3,500 — far more than NHS treatment, but with no waiting list and a wider choice of appliance.
How the NHS Route Works in Stirches
The NHS pathway in Stirches is well-structured — here's what to expect at each stage:
- 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 Stirches.
- 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.
Am I Eligible for NHS Orthodontics in Stirches?
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. Even visibly crooked teeth may score below the threshold, which is why understanding IOTN matters. If NHS funding isn't available, private treatment has no eligibility threshold and no waiting list.
Eligibility in Stirches — Local Context
NHS orthodontic waiting times in The Scottish Borders vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Children's Orthodontics in Stirches
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. This guide explains the age-7 assessment, interceptive options and NHS access for children.
Children's Orthodontics in Stirches — Local Context
Provision in Stirches varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Stirches's ONS geography type is other Urban Areas. For NHS dental services, Stirches falls under NHS Borders. Stirches falls in a more deprived area than most of Scotland, which can be relevant to NHS orthodontic eligibility. Stirches has 4 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 68% of towns in Scotland. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Stirches
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Stirches?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Stirches is 41 NORTH BRIDGE STREET in Hawick, about 0.3 miles to the south-east. The next closest are TEVIOT DENTAL PRACTICE (0.3 miles) and NHS BORDERS DENTAL CENTRE (0.4 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Stirches?
Our register has 4 practices within 5 miles of Stirches, 7 practices within 10 miles and 12 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Stirches?
The nearest practice to Stirches that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is 41 NORTH BRIDGE STREET in Hawick, about 0.3 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include TEVIOT DENTAL PRACTICE (0.3 miles) and NHS BORDERS DENTAL CENTRE (0.4 miles).
What NHS area is Stirches in for dental services?
Stirches sits within NHS Borders for NHS dental commissioning.
What kind of area is Stirches?
ONS classifies Stirches as other Urban Areas.
How deprived is Stirches compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Stirches 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 Stirches?
Briery Yards, Weensland, Appletreehall are within easy reach of Stirches.
What type of brace does the NHS provide?
NHS braces are almost always metal fixed braces. Ceramic, lingual, or clear aligner treatment is not available on the NHS. If you want a less visible option, private orthodontics is required.
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 The Scottish Borders
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in The Scottish Borders — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: