Orthodontist complaint help

[Filthycop]

Sorry this is a little long...

DS 15 went to see an orthodontist who advised that DS would need a brace but needed a tooth removed so a return visit booked. DS had the tooth removed and we arrived for the return visit yesterday and it was awful.

We hadn't realised the brace was actually going to be fitted - there was no chat, no discussion - didn't' know what type of brace was being fitted, how long for nothing - the whole conversation was

 hello, sit down
 did you have the tooth out? (yes)
 when? (July)
 Good it will be well healed.

Then she started fitting the brace before we had even realised what was happening, chatted with the assistant about another colleague and other gossipy chat - not a single word to DS or me.

I nervously said something like - 'Oh you're fitting the brace now, I thought this was a chat about it' to which she said

I've got to do it now, next appointment isn't until December

They then asked what colour he wanted - he asked what they had and was told everything except gold and brown. Bearing in mind no one has ever explained braces to him (other than me in a very broad concept way) - nor any idea what colours there are etc, he simply said 'erm red?' and this was the only time she spoke to DS the whole time other than to tell him to 'hold still'

when she was done she said 'bye you can go now' - I sais 'is that it?' and she said yes, come back in 12 weeks... no aftercare advice, not even suggesting taking a paracetamol.

We were both a little shellshocked and went to book the appointment and I spoke to Reception an said - do you have an advice/aftercare sheet? The receptionist was nice and we bought £10 kit and we're given a link to a website.

DS was in tears when we left - said that he'd had tears running down his cheeks the whole time (I couldn't see from where I was sitting) - he violated and ignored and was really upset by the whole experience.

DD had braces from the practice (different orthodontist_ and her experience couldn't have been more different, chatty friendly and shown aftercare etc).

I really feels violated and TBH that is right as DS was given no chance to consent - no one asked him or discussed it with him - she just did it to him. I should have seen how upset he was but I couldn't see from where I was.

So I am going to complain and ask that he see a different orthodontist in future - but I aim not sure what they are supposed to so - only what I think is right.

Do any of you have any advice about what standard practice is etc - what they are expected to do when fitting braces to minors etc - anything I can add to the complaint and I don't want it to come across as 'you upset my precious' because TBH we feel it was appalling treatment.

sorry about the typos - it just about makes sense

No idea on protocols but I have braces currently and experience is the same. You wouldn't have gone through with the tooth out (presumably to make room for braces) if didn't want braces.
Is this private or NHS? I think you both sound quite dramatic. The dentist fitted it to save time as December is months away and 3 months can make such a difference for braces. Theres not much time assigned to each appointment. You or your son could have stopped it at any point. You say you couldnt see but if in the room.youd have heard or at least seen her starting treatment. And clearly he must be happy to continue with braces for you to suggest a new orthodontist!?
Use interdental brushes, and they'll feel pressure on their teeth for a few days and can be painful to eat for same duration. Then teeth will get used to pressure applied. May feel slightly same at every tightening.

Dd has the same. Impossible to change your appt. When I asked to change her appt due to her GCSEs the receptionist was incredibly shitty with me.

Ds had his fitted at hospital with a very brusque nhs orthodontist. She was universally feared and rude to staff. However she did not start treatment without his commitment to seeing it through. Having had a tooth removed suggested you knew the treatment plan and agreed.

we knew he was getting braces and some point, that is why he had the tooth out - but he had never been told anything about them, what type, how long for. She barely acknowledged that there was a person there - literally, all she asked was if he'd had the tooth out. Not just shoving him down, sticking a brace on and telling him off when he was unconformable.

At no point did she say, Hi, hope your tooth has healed, right today we're going to be fitting x type brace which involves xxx and works by xxx. You'll have this for xxx months - is that OK? You can have one of these coloured bands have a think about what you want... are you happy to proceed?

then to finish - something like - right we're done, how does it feel? do you have any questions. it'll ache and maybe sore for a few days but you can take some paracetamol for that. I need to see you in 3 moths, when you go to book the appointment you can buy a care pack...

The braces are on now and if you hadn't been happy to have them fitted I'm sure you'd have spoken up for your DC more assertively. You're more emotional about it today because it's fresh in your mind and your DC was upset.

Chalk it up to some miscommunication somewhere (probably from the orthodontist office since they hadn't made it clear braces would be put on in this appointment).

The professionalism and personality of the orthodontist you had wasn't great and I can understand why you'd want to complain but I doubt it will make much difference in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps just ask the receptionist to allocate you a different orthodontist (assuming there are more than 1 at the practice).

Tell friends and family to avoid that orthodontist in the future.

My DS had two teeth out before his brace and there was a strict timeline for when the teeth were removed and having the brace fitted. You are lucky to get it done. Not sure what the problem is here.

Violated 😂 oh that's a bit extreme. You are his mother, your passivity consented as his legal guardian being in the room. If he doesn't like them, then get them removed. It is hardly like she has put a tattoo on him for life. I went to all my NHS orthodontist appointments between 13-15 alone.

I was annoyed yesterday - just sat down to write the complaint today. Neither of us have an issue with him getting braces - we do have an issue with him not being treated like a person or being asked consent.

I see that it is not a unique experience to have a rude orthodontist and we will be asking to have him transferred to a different orthodontist.

Some healthcare professionals have awful communication skills but really the time to ask the questions was before the tooth was removed.

Why did you take your son to have a tooth extracted without knowing what the next stages were? What if you got to this next appointment to discuss what type of brace ( basically fixed train tracks or a removable type) and if it’s NHS you don’t have the option of lingual fixed or ceramic brackets for your son to decide he didn’t want those options at all? So minus a tooth and decided on no brace.

You could complain about poor communication which sounds justified but not “I was advised he needed an extraction and braces, he had an extraction and braces but I wanted an appointment to talk about what type of braces”

I do honestly agree the communication sounds awful but I just don’t understand why you’d let your child have something irreversible done if you had no idea what was going to happen next?

The tooth was also removed because it was the issue - it was in the wrong place and growing at an angle - the braces were to deal with the fallout of having the tooth removed - his other teeth are pretty straight and wouldn't have met the threshold to need braces. We weren't even expecting a full appointment to talk about braces - but some kind of pre fitting chat and asking DS if he was OK

Her bedside manner is extremely poor. I would focus my complaint on that. Plus the lack of aftercare advice - and what to do if there are any issues with the braces - excessive pain/pieces fall off (it can happen).
Also how long it will take to get used to the braces. 1 is my ds has sensory issues. It took much longer than the period we were told.

no one ever told us that there would be no choice - we are NHS but it is a private clinic with pictures all over the walls of different types of brace so I assumed there would be options...

and just for the last time... we both knew he was getting braces - we just clearly expected some politeness and consideration from the orthodontist

we will complain and ask to swap to someone else for the follow ups

Beside manner sounds poor, brusque and abrasive. But you were there and you could've spoken up at any time. Asked her more questions. Said actually ds didn't realise it was going to be today, can you explain more before you start. You could've said a lot more.

Both my boys have just finished braces, and it was all lovely.

But. You could of and should of spoken up earlier.

Complain. It's unacceptable. My orthodontist would ask how I was, ask if I wanted the TV or music on, light a scented candle if I asked. Would tell me what dental appliance she was using, how loud it would be, ask me every few minutes if I was ok. I had appointments every month to check on progress.

I would be very clear in your communication, no explanation, no after care guidance, no comments on treatment plan etc. I'd leave out the violated bit even though I completely understand but it will come across OTT.

This is exactly what my DD experienced when she had her braces fitted. She had a baby tooth out and a chain attached to an impacted tooth which then needed to be attached to a fixed brace to bring it down. What was never explained to her ( I attended these appts with her so not just her not listening) was that she would also need a brace on her bottom teeth. The guy was just awful- even the dental nurse apologised saying he was always like that. Just no need to be so dismissive and condescending to a teenager. It's not necessary.

My DC is due to get braces in early October. We’ve had 2 appointments. First to discuss, see if they qualified for NHS treatment, ask DC if they wanted them, discussed dental hygiene and also what kind of braces they would be given. Second appt was scan of teeth and further checks. It’s been very thorough and the orthodontist was very clear about getting a response from DC that they wanted braces and were prepared to maintain good oral hygiene.
Your experience sounds odd but I’m just a bit confused as to why you didn’t speak up and advocate for your son. A quick “hang on”, “what’s happening?” would have probably been enough. The orthodontist sounds like she wasn’t thinking too much about her patient and in her own world. She needs to improve her communication skills. I hope your son is ok.

She sounds quite unprofessional. I work in dentistry but not orthodontic side of it.

Did you not sign an treatment papers or consent forms?

I know people who work in orthodontics and always explain what will happen/what they are having and aftercare leaflets.

I had an orthodontist with terrible bedside manner as a child / teen. Left with a phobia of dentists (who are actually mostly lovely). The do seem to have bit of a reputation.

I do think you should complain specifically about the orthodontist and request to see someone else. Each ortho is different and some have a better bedside manner than others. You definitely should have been given a chance to prepare even if it was an introductory 'so we'll be fitting the brace today'. You should have been given aftercare advice. I would say though, fitting a brace takes atleast half an hour or up to an hour depending what they are doing, so there was plenty of time for you to speak up and question things? Seems like you were quite passive and went along with things. But in future I'd be firmer as it's okay to questions things in this scenario.

My youngest had an orthodontist that not only took the time to explain general brace stuff to me but also looked at me and his father and explained how our bite would likely genetically impact our ds. And he was right! Turns out he trained orthodontists.

I think it is so important to engage fully and respectfully with patients and their parents. You probably need to learn from this and become more demanding in future. Demand explanation etc...

No harm in complaining... Are you confident you are getting the right treatment for your DC? Were there other options? Anyway good luck.

Her bedside manner isnt great but equally you sound a bit dramatic. Its braces not major surgery!

That doesn't sound good at all. My DS had his braces fitted at the start of this year and we have had a really good experience. First visit began with X-rays and photographs. Then we saw the main orthodontist who confirmed his case was sufficient for braces and asked if I consented to that, and checked with DS that he was happy to go ahead. He was really thorough about this, explaining it was a commitment to be taken seriously. The orthodontist explained he would send a letter to our dentist to advise of removal of four teeth and then once that was complete we could book in for braces.

On "braces day" we both went through to the treatment area and his braces were applied - the orthodontic technician spoke to DS throughout explaining what she was doing and he chose the colour of the bands. Afterwards we met with an assistant who went through aftercare with us, explained brushing technique and which foods to avoid, explained that DS might experience some discomfort so to use normal paracetamol but to phone back if still painful after a few days.

He's had his braces tightened twice since and each appointment had been the same - speedy and efficient appointments, but always patient focused and with each step explained.

We are receiving free NHS treatment at a BUPA clinic and I've been so impressed with them that I'm tempted to book privately with the clinic to get braces myself.

I can’t believe some of the replies justifying the orthodontists behaviour. Before any treatment, it is normal to tell the patient what’s going to be done, especially when first fitting the braces. People clearly have low expectations.

I’m sorry she was such a cow OP, and that your son is upset. One of my kids would have really struggled with that sort of treatment. Our orthodontist is quite ‘to the point’ but does explain everything before starting. I would find the treatment you describe unacceptable.

www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/standards-for-the-dental-team/standards-printer-friendly-colour86d42fee1e2f440e8faaa3b80983334a.pdf?sfvrsn=98cffb88_5

'Obtain valid consent' and
'Treat with respect' are 2 of the standards the GDC regulate.
I'm sorry he and you had to have such a negative experience. Is it a private practice providing NHS care and therefore rushing it somewhat?
Your DS needs to know he can stop dental treatment at any time.