NHS braces for teens - time between appointments

[NotGoingToLie]

My DS was lucky to qualify for NHS orthodontic treatment. Waited over two year on list before being seen and has now had braces on for a year. Practice is useless with turnover of staff and little communication. We have to chase for appointments and having got next one confirmed I note that he will have gone nearly five months between appointments. NHS website says norm is every five to ten weeks. What experience have you all had? Don’t want to go in guns blazing but am pretty peed off as his teeth don’t appear to have improved much. And before anyone says it, yes am v grateful to have free treatment etc etc but it seems slightly pointless given the experience we have had.

Dc1 has just started treatment and he was seen on the 1st December and then again last week. His next appt is in April. They make the next app't there before leaving.

8 weeks for both my DC at different orthodontists.

We started today and were advised 6-8 weeks between appointments

8 weeks for both my kids

We went private after being on the waiting list 5 years, so dd gets the appointments exactly when she needs them. Depending on what needs doing, that can be 2 weeks to 2 months apart. I’d say every 7 or so weeks is more usual though

Haven’t they told you what they’re doing, with a timeline? If something needs adding or taking away or tightening, I don’t see how they can just decide not to do it as they’re busy. I assumed once they’d started the process then it would take the same amount of time. No one should be going 5 months between appointments

Ds1 every 3months
Ds2 every 6 to 7 weeks

Same practice but different orthodontists. Similar issues but ds1 needed twice the time to straighten teeth.

Ours varies between 8 and 12 weeks. 5 months is way too long, but I know changing practices isn't easy at all. I would put in a formal complaint to the practice manager

I think the most it’s been is 12 weeks. The least 8 weeks. No flexibility on appointments though. You get no choices. If you can’t make it or miss one you have to go into the next 8-12 week cycle or phone daily for a cancellation. No one cancels!

8 weeks between appointments and my DS had braces for 14 months. In comparison a friend in a different local town has had braces for 4 years and goes about 5 months between appointments hence why they've been on for so long! I think it's just luck if you get a good NHS one.

NHS. We made the next appt after seeing the Orthodontist. They tell you when to make the next appt.

We got lucky with oldest and got orthodontics on NHS - I think they have generally been seen every 3 or 4 months.

DD has been having NHS treatment since Jan 2023. Appointments every 6 weeks - but they’ve been flexible to fit in with holidays. So next appointment was 7 weeks so it could be in Easter holidays and she doesn’t miss school. Only issue is timing of appointments is limited - all school hours, no early/ late appointments available which are for private patients.

The issue we have is lead orthodontist desperate to get her off the books - we believe as she is NHS. We see him every third appointment. All the other, more junior, orthodontists are happy with her progress and care of her teeth. Every time with him he threatens to strike her off as her teeth hygiene is poor. Which it isn’t. I have to take detailed notes at each appointment to challenge him at his appointment. He’s backed down so far - not sure how long he will keep her through.

6-8 weeks for 18 months for us. But I presume it also depends what is being done?

@EssexGurl yes, we similar issues with lead Orthodontist. She sees DC every now and again and we are always told her braces will be off next time. I assume all the nhs money allotted to my child is spent.

@Leopardmatches Whilst it is frustrating to hear you have the same issues, it does make me feel slightly better to know we’re not alone. DD really tries so hard with her teeth cleaning and care. She is so deflated to be chastised like this. But once we spotted the pattern we knew how to fight back - politely but assertively. We shouldn’t have to do it, though.

@EssexGurl same-sad it’s not just us but glad it’s not just us!
The practice are good in that they take on most patients that a dentist refers. Other practices say the child doesn’t meet the nhs criteria. The downside of that I imagine is small
profit margins.

Roughly every 6-8 weeks. DD2 has now had hers on almost 3 years and she's desperate to have them taken off.

We went private and had appointments to tighten DS train track braces every 4 weeks. Appointments always after school too. This was about 6 years ago though. Cost £3k but worth missing a holiday!