NHS Treatment in Temple at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Lothian |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of Scotland |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | 19 MAIN STREET, Gorebridge — 3.1 miles; 28 within 10 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 Temple
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Temple, 34 practices within 10 and 178 practices within 20. The closest is 19 MAIN STREET in Gorebridge, 3.1 miles north-east. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is 19 MAIN STREET, 3.1 miles north-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 MAIN STREETGorebridge | 3.1 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
| 5 STATION ROADMayfield | 4.8 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| BONNYRIGG DENTAL CAREBonnyrigg | 5.0 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| 6 MAIN STREETRoslin | 5.1 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – |
| 1A MAYFIELD PLACEMayfield | 5.3 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| 64 HIGH STREETBonnyrigg | 5.4 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Temple with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Gorebridge, 3.1 miles north-east; the next are Mayfield (4.8 miles north) and Bonnyrigg (5.0 miles north).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Gorebridge | 1 | 3.1 miles north-east |
| Mayfield | 2 | 4.8 miles north |
| Bonnyrigg | 3 | 5.0 miles north |
| Roslin | 1 | 5.1 miles north-west |
| Penicuik | 3 | 5.8 miles west |
| Loanhead | 2 | 6.2 miles north-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Temple, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Edinburgh Dental, 10 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is 19 MAIN STREET, Gorebridge, 3.1 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Temple are commissioned by NHS Lothian. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
For families in Temple, the NHS pathway offers a subsidised route to fixed braces for eligible children. The process starts with your dentist, includes a formal eligibility assessment, and places you on a waiting list. For those who don't qualify or can't wait, private treatment fills the gap effectively.
NHS Waiting Times in Temple
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Midlothian vary and can range from 12 to 36 months from referral to treatment starting. For families where timing is important — particularly approaching the optimal treatment age — private orthodontics eliminates the wait entirely and typically begins within a few weeks of consultation.
NHS Orthodontic Access in Temple
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 Midlothian vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Practices serving Temple differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Temple falls in a less deprived area than most of Scotland. Temple sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning. Temple's ONS geography type is accessible Rural. Temple has 2 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 56% of towns in Scotland. No orthodontic practice is recorded in Temple. The closest on record are 19 MAIN STREET in Gorebridge, about 3 miles away; 5 STATION ROAD in Mayfield, about 5 miles away; and BONNYRIGG DENTAL CARE, about 5 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.
The NHS Orthodontic Pathway in Temple
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in Temple 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 Temple.
- 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.
Kids' Braces & Interceptive Treatment in Temple
For many families in Temple, the question isn't whether their child needs treatment — it's when to start. 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Temple — Local Context
Provision in Temple varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Temple is classified as accessible Rural, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Lothian. Temple falls in a less deprived area than most of Scotland. Temple has 2 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 56% of towns in Scotland. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Understanding Orthodontic Eligibility in Temple
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. If NHS funding isn't available, private treatment has no eligibility threshold and no waiting list.
Adult NHS Orthodontic Access in Temple
Adults (18 and over) are rarely eligible for NHS orthodontic treatment in Temple. NHS funding for adults is generally limited to severe clinical cases — such as jaw surgery patients or those with significant cleft palate-related needs. Cosmetic adult orthodontics is not NHS-funded.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Temple
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Temple?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Temple is 19 MAIN STREET in Gorebridge, about 3.1 miles to the north-east. The next closest are 5 STATION ROAD (4.8 miles) and BONNYRIGG DENTAL CARE (5.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Temple?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Temple, 34 practices within 10 miles and 178 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Temple?
The nearest practice to Temple that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is 19 MAIN STREET in Gorebridge, about 3.1 miles to the north-east. Others nearby include 5 STATION ROAD (4.8 miles) and BONNYRIGG DENTAL CARE (5.0 miles).
Which NHS body covers Temple for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lothian.
Is Temple rural or urban?
ONS classifies Temple as accessible Rural.
How deprived is Temple compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Temple is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Temple?
Nearby towns include Hawthornden, Gowkshill, Borthwick.
What happens if I miss NHS appointments?
NHS orthodontic contracts require reasonable attendance. Repeatedly missing adjustment appointments can lead to treatment being discontinued, as it extends the course and ties up limited NHS capacity. If you're struggling to attend, tell the practice rather than simply not turning up.
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 Midlothian
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Midlothian — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: