NHS Treatment in Upper Craigie at a Glance
| NHS dental services | NHS Tayside |
|---|---|
| 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 | 4 GRAHAMS PLACE, Perth — 1 miles; 11 within 10 miles |
| Nearest university dental hospital | Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee — about 18 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 Upper Craigie
On our practice register: 14 practices within 5 miles of Upper Craigie, 15 practices within 10 and 74 practices within 20. The closest is Cherrybank Dental Spa in Perth, 0.8 miles north-west. The nearest listing NHS orthodontics is 4 GRAHAMS PLACE, 1.0 miles north.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 GRAHAMS PLACEPerth | 1.0 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| CALEDONIAN DENTAL CAREPerth | 1.1 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| THE PERTH DENTAL CENTREPerth | 1.1 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| DENTAL CARE PERTH AND IMPLANT CLINICPerth | 1.2 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| BALHOUSIE DENTAL PRACTICEPerth | 1.5 miles north | ✓ | – | – |
| 11 MAIN STREETPerth | 1.5 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Upper Craigie with practices listing NHS orthodontics
The closest town with practices listing NHS orthodontics is Perth, 1.0 miles north; the next are Bridge of Earn (2.7 miles south-east) and Scone (2.8 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Perth | 8 | 1.0 miles north |
| Bridge of Earn | 1 | 2.7 miles south-east |
| Scone | 1 | 2.8 miles north-east |
| Auchtermuchty | 1 | 10.0 miles south-east |
| Auchterarder | 2 | 11.4 miles south-west |
| Kinross | 2 | 12.1 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Upper Craigie
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Infinityblu Dental Care & Implant Clinic in Auchterarder (4.8 from 152 reviews), 11.4 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Infinityblu Dental Care & Implant ClinicAuchterarder | 4.8 (152 reviews) | 11.4 miles south-west |
| Saltire Dental Practice LtdGlenrothes | 4.4 (115 reviews) | 16.4 miles south-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
The NHS route from Upper Craigie, step by step
| Step | Where it is from here |
|---|---|
| 1. Your dentist screens | The nearest general dentist on our register is Bupa Dental Care, 15.1 miles away. They check the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and refer. |
| 2. The NHS orthodontic practice | The nearest practice listing NHS orthodontics is 4 GRAHAMS PLACE, Perth, 1 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 18 miles away. |
| 4. Who commissions it | NHS dental services around Upper Craigie are commissioned by NHS Tayside. |
NHS orthodontics is free for eligible under-18s and is reached by referral. Distances are straight-line.
NHS orthodontic treatment in Upper Craigie follows a structured pathway from your dentist through to a specialist. Eligible under-18s get excellent clinical outcomes at no cost. The main limitation is waiting time, which can be substantial across Perth and Kinross.
Your NHS Journey Step by Step in Upper Craigie
For eligible patients in Upper Craigie, 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 Upper Craigie.
- 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 Upper Craigie
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. How long NHS treatment takes to start in Perth and Kinross depends heavily on the individual practice's current caseload.
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Upper Craigie. By national deprivation ranking, Upper Craigie sits among the more deprived areas of Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Upper Craigie is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 18 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Tayside. Upper Craigie is classified as other Urban Areas. With 14 orthodontic practices within five miles, Upper Craigie is better served than 79% of towns in Scotland. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Upper Craigie itself. The nearest we do hold are Cherrybank Dental Spa in Perth, under a mile away; BRIDGE OF EARN DENTAL PRACTICE, about 3 miles away; and SCONE DENTAL PRACTICE, about 3 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 Waiting Times in Upper Craigie
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Perth and Kinross 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.
Children's Orthodontics in Upper Craigie
Children's orthodontics in Upper Craigie covers a spectrum from early monitoring to active interceptive treatment. 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.
The Age-7 Assessment
The British Orthodontic Society recommends an orthodontic assessment by age 7 for children with notable concerns. At age 7, most children have their first permanent molars and incisors, giving an orthodontist enough information to evaluate jaw relationships, arch development, bite patterns, and likely future crowding.
Orthodontic Eligibility in Upper Craigie
Many patients in Upper Craigie are surprised they don't automatically qualify for NHS braces. It measures the complexity and impact of the problem, and only cases above a threshold score receive NHS funding. Understanding the scoring in advance means a more informed conversation with your dentist.
Can Adults Get NHS Braces in Upper Craigie?
In practice, NHS orthodontic treatment in Upper Craigie is almost exclusively for patients under 18. Adult NHS orthodontic slots are very limited and reserved for exceptional functional cases. Adults seeking orthodontic treatment should plan for private care — no waiting list and full choice of treatment type.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHS Treatment in Upper Craigie
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Upper Craigie?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Upper Craigie is Cherrybank Dental Spa in Perth, about 0.8 miles to the north-west. The next closest are 4 GRAHAMS PLACE (1.0 miles) and CALEDONIAN DENTAL CARE (1.1 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Upper Craigie?
Our register has 14 practices within 5 miles of Upper Craigie, 15 practices within 10 miles and 74 practices within 20 miles.
Is there an NHS orthodontist near Upper Craigie?
The nearest practice to Upper Craigie that lists NHS orthodontic treatment is 4 GRAHAMS PLACE in Perth, about 1.0 miles to the north. Others nearby include CALEDONIAN DENTAL CARE (1.1 miles) and THE PERTH DENTAL CENTRE (1.1 miles).
Which NHS body covers Upper Craigie for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in Upper Craigie falls under NHS Tayside.
Is Upper Craigie rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Upper Craigie falls under other Urban Areas.
How deprived is Upper Craigie compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Upper Craigie 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 Upper Craigie?
Kinnoull, North Inch, Cherrybank are within easy reach of Upper Craigie.
How do I get an NHS referral?
Visit your dentist and ask for an orthodontic assessment. If your IOTN score meets the threshold, they will make a formal referral to the local NHS orthodontic service. Some practices also accept self-referrals.
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 Perth and Kinross
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