DD told she can’t have NHS orthodontist treatment

I'd argue that if your appearance is damaging your MH, it's the MH that needs treating not the appearance, but if you're going to argue that dissatisfaction with your appearance should be treated on the NHS to protect MH, what other cosmetic treatments are you going to pay for? Where's the line?

It would be lovely if everyone could have everything they want, but ATM people can't see a GP!

If it matters and you can afford it then definitely go for it
Unfortunately there will always be an arbitrary figure which decides a yes or no

Same. I paid. Set price 2.2k which seems relatively reasonable.

This happened to us too, it’s a bit frustrating as all of her friends have qualified and get it for free (and tbh I couldn’t see much difference between theirs and hers).

I offered to pay privately but dd didn’t want to, I think she was worried about the money. I’ve always been paranoid about my teeth and didn’t want her to feel the same.

This was pre covid, so it probably isn’t because of this.

@Totallydefeated

‘just cosmetic’ can have a devastating effect on mental health

Totally agree. People can be cripplingly self conscious about wonky teeth. NHS dentistry and orthodontics are a mess.

If they don't fit the IOTN criteria it's tough unfortunately.

‘just cosmetic’ can have a devastating effect on mental health

NHS is a mess. Find the money if you can. You won't regret it.

NHS in my area has 0 orthodontists. They have to pay private practices to see their patients. My DD waited 2 years, I gave up. She's getting braces next month.

I feel so lucky ds got braces, the orthodontist said he was borderline, whatever that means and said it was up to him if he wanted them. Fortunately every other kids has them here so he said yes.

I think that's really crap OP. Anyway you could afford it paying it monthly, they all do payment plans?

The NHS will deem it ‘cosmetic’, conveniently ignoring the deeply negative and long-lasting psychological and emotional impact such things can have. Not surprising, given the resources devoted to mental health, I guess. It’s shit but all part of the underfunding and organisational problems.

It took us about 5 years of waiting lists to get DD nhs orthodontist treatment, she disappeared off two lists then put a complaint in and she reappeared again and now having treatment.

I can not even get a nhs dentist atm, it is dire here. The issues started years back but covid has worsened things, pre covid could get an nhs dentist.

My DD got refused at one orthodontist, I went to a different practice and she now has brace on the NHS. Without it she would have had an underbite and a peg tooth. She was terribly self conscious, so would of impacted on her self esteem. I would of found a way to save and find if i had too.

My dentist is almost an hour away, the nearest accepting NHS.

I thought kids up to a set age got NHs treatment and anyone over that age would have to be from a household claiming certain benefits and such?

I get NHS treatment as I'm on Universal Credit.

Try a different orthodontist practice?

DD was referred to the one at our local hospital (Dentist asked me where I wanted her referred to and I picked the hospital as friends recommended it). They said she qualified for NHS treatment but needed to lose her baby teeth first. By the time she had lost them they, they had decided she no longer qualified.

She was gutted but we went to another orthodontic practice in our town. The guy said she qualified for NHS treatment easily and slagged off the hospital for "making up the rules as they go along."

I wouldn't waste your time or money seeking other opinions
Its not down to individuals it's criteria set by nhs... And most kids don't qualify.
Your child is no different to all the rest and parents have to pay. It's deemed cosmetic treatment

I can’t even get a dentist NHS appointment. It’s ridiculous.

This happened to me; I paid for them.

If it's only needed for cosmetic reasons why should the NHS pay? I mean it would be lovely if there was a magic money tree but does the tax payer really want to pay for cosmetic dental work?

I paid for my DD's braces. She definitely qualified for NHS but there was a 9 month waiting list.

Also, the orthodontist only saw NHS patients during the day, and as a teacher, I could not take her to appointments. So private for us so we could get 5pm appointments.

Of course it isn’t always cosmetic, but if you don’t qualify for NHS treatment it’s likely primarily cosmetic

^ if she won't cooperate with the twin block then braces route she will need surgery so I'm extremely grateful for the NHS right now 🙏

It's not always cosmetic

My dd was referred at 8 and started treatment this year at 11 for an under developed bottom jaw which means her teeth don't meet properly. I now want to strangle her daily when she "forgets" to wear the twin block which is probably the most expensive item in our house

This isn’t because of covid. This isn’t a new thing. Many people have to go private now for their children.

Can she not be experimented on by students?

My regular dentist referred me to a big London teaching hospital, where I became the 'project' of a dental student.

Full wisdom tooth clearance, train tracks and headgear for two years.

It was a long trip every time I had to go there, but the consultant was on hand as well as a classroom full of students who all had to look at each others work before the patients were allowed to leave.

It was weird and tedious but it was free.