DS,11, has been told that he needs teeth out, headgear at night, then fixed braces then a retainer for as long as he wants straight teeth. His canines have grown up in front of his other teeth. We went on the local NHS waiting list a he was due to start the work last April so that it could settle before he went up to high school. He had xrays and the orthodontist looked at him for about 5 mins, told him that they were out of place and that he should also clean his teeth better. Since then he hasn't opened his mouth to smile for photos as he is ashamed of his teeth.
Then we had a call from the orthodontist saying that now he couldn't be fitted in until September. He's got appointments now for every Wednesday afternoon in September, presumably to get his teeth out and braces on. These are non-negotiable and will mean me taking an afternoon off work and him missing school every Wed for that first month of the new term. I don't think my employer will let me have this and certainly not as paid time off. We don't get a choice of clinic as far as I am aware so it's not a case of choosing someone else to do it on the NHS.
I have booked an appointment at the local private orthodontist, just to see what my options are but I don't know of anyone else who has done this for a child - we would be using the money that we are now saving on daily after-school childcare which DCs have had up to now but no longer need so it would be a push, but I think we could afford it if we needed to.
Has anyone done this for their child and do you think it worth the money? Any thoughts would be welcome. I know this is a first world problem BTW!
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Has anyone gone private for braces for a child?
6 replies
soundedbetterinmyhead · 01/08/2015 21:56
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