NHS Dentistry in Leith, Done Properly
We’re an NHS Lothian provider accepting new patients right now. Free check-ups every 12 months, same-day emergency appointments, and the same standard of care for every patient, regardless of how they pay.
OVERVIEW
Newkirkgate Dental Care is an NHS Lothian dental practice at 2 Great Junction Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 5LA, currently accepting new NHS patients. NHS dental examinations are free for all registered patients. Patients pay 80% of the cost of NHS treatment, up to a maximum of £384 per course of treatment, as of November 2025. Treatment is completely free for patients under 26 and for those who qualify under Scottish NHS exemption rules. Same-day emergency appointments are available for registered patients. The practice participates in the Child Smile programme. To register, call 0131 554 3509 or visit newkirkgatedental.co.uk.
NHS Care, What It Actually Means Here
Being an NHS patient at this practice means you receive a proper, attentive service. Not a conveyor belt. Not a shorter appointment or a less thorough examination. The same nine dentists, the same clinical standard, and the same unhurried approach that our private patients receive.
Once you’re registered, you’re entitled to a free dental check-up every 12 months. That includes a full examination of your teeth, gums, jaw and bite, routine X-rays where appropriate, and an oral cancer screening at every visit. If treatment is needed, your dentist will walk you through your options clearly, explain the costs, and give you the time to ask questions before anything is agreed.
We also hold same-day emergency slots back for registered patients every single day. If you wake up with a toothache or a broken tooth, call us on 0131 554 3509 first thing and we’ll do everything we can to see you that day.
What NHS Dental Treatment Costs in Scotland
Scotland has its own NHS dental charge structure, separate from England and Wales. Unless you qualify for free treatment, you pay 80% of the cost of your NHS dental treatment, up to a maximum charge of £384 per course of treatment.
A course of treatment covers everything your dentist agrees you need in one visit or over a connected series of visits. So if you need a check-up, two fillings and a scale and polish in the same course, you pay one charge for all of it, not separately for each item.
The fee structure is set by NHS Scotland and is updated periodically. The figures below reflect NHS charges as of November 2025.
Who Qualifies for Free NHS Dental Treatment
A significant number of patients are entitled to some or all of their NHS dental treatment completely free of charge. You qualify for free NHS dental treatment in Scotland if, at the time your treatment starts, you meet any of the following criteria:
- You are under 26 years old. This is one of Scotland’s most important dental health policies. If you’re under 26, every NHS dental treatment you need is free, including fillings, extractions, X-rays and more.
- You hold a valid maternity exemption certificate.
- You have had a baby in the previous 12 months, including a stillbirth.
- You hold a valid HC2 certificate (full exemption) or an HC3 certificate (partial help towards costs).
- You or your partner are receiving Universal Credit.
- You or your partner are receiving Income-related Employment Support Allowance.
- You or your partner are receiving Tax Credits and meet the qualifying conditions.
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, ask our reception team when you get in touch. We check this with patients all the time and are happy to help you work it out before your appointment.
Children's NHS Dentistry and Child Smile
We’re a Child Smile participant. Child Smile is the Scottish Government’s national programme to improve children’s oral health from an early age, and it’s one of the most important things we do here.
NHS dental treatment for children is free regardless of age, and we encourage parents to bring children in from an early age so that visiting the dentist becomes a normal, comfortable part of life rather than something to dread. A first visit doesn’t have to involve treatment. It can simply be a gentle introduction, a look around the surgery, a chance to meet the dentist, and the beginning of a relationship built on reassurance rather than anxiety.
Several members of our team have a particular interest in working with children and younger patients, and we pride ourselves on making those first appointments as calm and positive as possible.
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1Dental and medical historyWe take note of any changes since your last visit, including new medications or health conditions. These can affect your oral health in ways you might not expect, so it's always worth mentioning even if it doesn't seem relevant.
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2Examination of your teethWe check every tooth for signs of decay, cracks, and wear. Small problems caught here are straightforward to deal with. Left too long, they almost always become bigger and more expensive ones.
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3Gum assessmentWe check for signs of gum disease, which affects far more adults than most people realise. Bleeding when you brush, slight puffiness, a bit of sensitivity — these are things worth catching early.
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4Soft tissue checkYour tongue, cheeks, and the roof and floor of your mouth are examined as part of a routine oral cancer screening. It takes about thirty seconds and it's one of those things that quietly matters a great deal.
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5X-rays where neededX-rays show us what's happening beneath the surface — decay between teeth, bone levels, and anything else that isn't visible to the naked eye. We only take them when clinically necessary, not as a matter of routine at every visit.
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6Discussion of findingsWe'll tell you clearly what we've found and what, if anything, needs to be done about it. You'll always know the costs before any treatment is agreed. Nothing starts without your say-so.
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7Cleaning and diet advicePractical guidance on brushing technique, interdental cleaning, and diet that you can actually use at home. Honest, useful advice tailored to what we've seen at your appointment.
The Full Range of NHS Treatments
NHS dental care at Newkirkgate covers everything your mouth, teeth and gums need to stay healthy. This includes:
- Dental examinations and check-ups
- Routine and emergency X-rays
- Oral cancer screening
- Scale and polish (hygiene treatment)
- Fillings, including tooth-coloured fillings where clinically appropriate
- Root canal treatment
- Extractions
- Dentures (acrylic and chrome)
- Bridges and crowns (where there is a clinical need)
- Fissure sealants and preventive treatments for children
- Referrals to specialist services where required
Where a private alternative exists for a treatment, for example, a ceramic crown where the NHS provides a metal one, your dentist will always explain both options and the cost difference, so you can make the decision that’s right for you.
Worried About Coming? We Hear That a Lot.
We see patients every week who haven’t been to the dentist in years. Some haven’t been in over a decade. Some arrive convinced there’s something wrong and they’re already bracing themselves for the news. Some are so anxious they struggle to make the call in the first place.
If that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.
Every member of our clinical team is trained to work with nervous and phobic patients. We go at your pace. We explain what we’re doing before we do it. We stop if you need us to. The examination is yours to control, and nothing happens without your understanding and agreement.
One of our patients, Blaithin, put it well in her Google review: “Every time I leave I’m a little less scared. I think this practice is helping reduce my dental phobia one visit at a time.”
That’s what we’re here for.
No sure where to begin? Just give us a ring.
Why Edinburgh Residents Choose Newkirkgate Dental
Proudly serving patients across Edinburgh and Leith for over two decades, from our practice inside Newkirkgate Shopping Centre on Great Junction Street.
Masters in Implants
Our principal dentist holds a postgraduate Masters degree in dental implantology.
Phobia Friendly
Every member of our team is trained to work with nervous patients.
NHS & Private
Full NHS care and private treatments, all under one roof in Leith.
Open Saturdays
We're open Saturday mornings so dentistry fits around your week.
REGISTRATION
Register With Newkirkgate Dental Care
Whether you’re new to Leith, new to Edinburgh, or just long overdue a visit, we’d love to have you. We’re accepting new NHS and private patients right now, and getting registered takes just a few minutes. Once you’re with us, we’ll take care of everything else.
- Free NHS check-up every 12 months, no bill at the end
- Same-day emergency slots held back for registered patients every day
- Open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings
- Every member of our team is trained to work with nervous patients
- NHS and private care, the same warm welcome either way
We’re inside Newkirkgate Shopping Centre on Great Junction Street, right next to Boots. Walk in, give us a call, or register online, whichever feels easiest.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About NHS Dentistry
Yes. We are currently accepting new NHS patients of all ages, including adults, children and families. You can register by calling us on 0131 554 3509, booking online through our website, or filling out our contact form. There is no waiting list, once we have your details, we'll arrange your first appointment.
Unless you qualify for free treatment, you pay 80% of the cost of your NHS dental treatment, up to a maximum of £384 per course of treatment. A course of treatment covers everything agreed in one connected visit or series of visits. Fees are set by NHS Scotland and were last updated in November 2025. If you are under 26, or qualify under one of the Scottish exemption criteria, your treatment is free.
Your NHS check-up includes a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, jaw and bite, routine X-rays where clinically appropriate, and an oral cancer screening. Your dentist will discuss everything they find and explain any treatment that may be needed, with costs, before anything is agreed. There is no charge for the check-up itself for registered NHS patients.
Yes. We hold emergency appointment slots back for registered patients every day. If you have an urgent dental problem, call us on 0131 554 3509 as early in the day as possible and we will do everything we can to see you the same day. If you need emergency dental care outside our opening hours, call NHS 24 on 111.
All NHS dental treatment for children is free in Scotland, regardless of age or the parents' income. Child Smile is the Scottish Government's programme to support children's oral health, and we are a participating practice. We encourage parents to bring children in from an early age so that regular dental visits become a normal part of life. Getting in touch early, even before any treatment is needed, is a great first step.