NHS Treatment in The Drums at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Tayside |
|---|---|
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing NHS | KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, Kirriemuir — 9.3 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 24 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 The Drums
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of The Drums; 1 practice within 10 and 9 practices within 20. The closest is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, 9.3 miles south. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, 9.3 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICEKirriemuir | 9.3 miles south | ✓ | – | – |
| FORFAR DENTAL CAREForfar | 12.9 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| CASTLE STREET DENTALForfar | 12.9 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| HIGH STREET DENTAL PRACTICEForfar | 13.0 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – |
| INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINICAlyth | 14.6 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – |
| R AND PM THOMSONBrechin | 15.6 miles east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to The Drums with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Kirriemuir, 9.3 miles south; the next are Forfar (12.9 miles south-east) and Alyth (14.6 miles south-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Kirriemuir | 1 | 9.3 miles south |
| Forfar | 3 | 12.9 miles south-east |
| Alyth | 1 | 14.6 miles south-west |
| Brechin | 2 | 15.6 miles east |
| Blairgowrie and Rattray | 1 | 18.7 miles south-west |
| Coupar Angus | 1 | 20.0 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from The Drums, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Banchory Dental Practice, 26.6 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, 9.3 miles away. Referrals go to a practice with an NHS contract. |
| 3. The hospital for complex cases | The nearest university dental hospital is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 24 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around The Drums are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
The NHS orthodontic pathway in The Drums focuses limited resources on the greatest clinical need. For eligible under-18s it's outstanding value — full treatment at no charge at all. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Angus.
NHS vs Private Fees in The Drums
On the NHS, one course of treatment runs from fitting right through to retainers, with nothing added along the way.
Private treatment in The Drums trades cost for speed and choice — around £1,500–£3,500 for metal braces, but starting within weeks and with ceramic, lingual and aligner options on the table.
NHS Orthodontic Access in The Drums
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 Angus differ considerably between practices and can change over time.
Practices serving The Drums differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. By national deprivation ranking, The Drums is roughly mid-table for Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to The Drums is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 24 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. NHS dental commissioning in The Drums falls under NHS Tayside. The Drums is classified as accessible Rural. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of The Drums; the nearest is about 9 miles away. We hold no orthodontic practice records in The Drums itself. The nearest we do hold are KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 9 miles away; FORFAR DENTAL CARE, about 13 miles away; and INFINITYBLU DENTAL CARE & IMPLANT CLINIC in Alyth, about 15 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 The Drums
From first check-up to retainers, the NHS process in The Drums 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 The Drums.
- 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.
Orthodontic Eligibility in The Drums
NHS orthodontic treatment is not available to everyone. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is the primary tool used across Angus to decide who receives funded treatment. If NHS funding isn't available, private treatment has no eligibility threshold and no waiting list.
Not Eligible? Here's What to Do Next in The Drums
An IOTN score below grade 4 does not mean your teeth don't need attention — it means NHS resources are prioritised for the most clinically significant cases. Private treatment is open to everyone and provides more treatment choices, faster access, and a more personalised experience.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children in The Drums
Spotting a developing problem early rarely means treating it straight away. Understanding the difference between monitoring, interceptive and definitive treatment helps parents navigate it. A photo assessment is a gentle way to get an early steer before booking anything.
Children's Orthodontics in The Drums — Local Context
Practices serving The Drums differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. By ONS classification, The Drums falls under accessible Rural. NHS dental commissioning in The Drums falls under NHS Tayside. By national deprivation ranking, The Drums is roughly mid-table for Scotland. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of The Drums; the nearest is about 9 miles away. The nearest university dental hospital to The Drums is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 24 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. They typically offer children's assessments and NHS-funded treatment for eligible patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in The Drums
Where is the nearest orthodontist to The Drums?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to The Drums is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 9.3 miles to the south. The next closest are FORFAR DENTAL CARE (12.9 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (12.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near The Drums?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of The Drums, 1 practice within 10 miles and 9 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Kirriemuir, 9.3 miles away.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near The Drums?
The nearest practice to The Drums that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is KIRRIEMUIR DENTAL PRACTICE, about 9.3 miles to the south. Others nearby include FORFAR DENTAL CARE (12.9 miles) and CASTLE STREET DENTAL (12.9 miles).
Which NHS body covers The Drums for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in The Drums falls under NHS Tayside.
What kind of area is The Drums?
ONS classifies The Drums as accessible Rural.
How deprived is The Drums compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, The Drums 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 The Drums?
Clachnabrain, Inverquharity, Northmuir are within easy reach of The Drums.
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 Angus
Explore nhs treatment information for other towns and cities in Angus — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: