Orthodontist - turned 18 on waiting list

[MrsWhites]

My DD was referred for a brace 3 years when she was just turned 15. It had been talked about the year before but then Covid hit and we didn’t get to see a dentist to process the referral until 2021.

She requires surgery to uncover an impacted tooth so we were advised the NHS was the best course of action but she has not turned 18 whilst on the waiting list. She finally has an appointment coming up with orthodontist but I’m now panicking that they will refuse free NHS braces because of her age.

Our dentist has always given us the impression that because she was referred well before 18 that it would be covered regardless but I just wondered if anyone else has been in the same position.

The orthodontist accepted her referral a year ago (before she was 18) but it has taken them until now to offer her an appointment.

Just to update this thread…we have hit a bit of a wall with our treatment.

We went to see orthodontist who basically didn’t want to know (unless of course we went private), said it was too much to take on himself and referred to dental hospital. Waited 3 months for that appointment for them to say that unless DD wants the impacted tooth removing that they don’t need to get involved so sent us back to orthodontist. That was 4 months ago and we haven’t heard anything from orthodontist, our own dentist is now seeing her again next week to re-refer. They assure me that will still won’t need to pay as this is all ongoing from age 14.

Hey, around 2021/22 I was reffered to an orthodontist to have my braces fitted in. I could not show up to the appointment. And then when I re booked my appointment I found out that they no longer do braces. Since I have been waiting to be referred elsewhere and I’ve been waiting really long, and turns out my dentist gp do not even know where I have been referred to or what happened to my referral which is unbelievable. I have an appointment soon, and if I ask to be referred to a dental practice, am I still eligible as I will be referred still before I’m 18? Even if it’s a couple weeks? I’m concerned can I still get my free braces?

@Adriiii yes, you would be able to get braces under the NHS as long as you are referred before your 18th birthday but you have to meet the criteria so your crowding or bite needs to be severe enough.
It's measured on an IOTN (Index of treatment need) and grades the severity of the crowding British Orthodontic Society > BOS Homepage > Orthodontics for Children & Teens > Fact File & FAQ > What Is The IOTN? NHS care needs to be a grade 3 with an aesthetic index of 6 upwards to be eligible. Your dentist should be able to give you an idea if you are eligible, the orthodontist would confirm it.

My son (now 34) was finally seen 1 month before his 18th. Has there been a change in the past 16 years because further treatment was refused under NHS. Cost us an arm and a leg! We were just about able to afford it, but it still makes me seethe that there were so many opportunities before he was 18 for treatment, and absolutely no help after (what seems like) an arbitrary day.

Okay thank you!!

@Theoldwrinkley a quick google says the IOTN has been around since 2006 but treatment had to be completed under the age of 18 years until more recently.
The age requirement was changed to referred rather than completed partly due to the length of waiting lists.
Treating just the under 18s costs the NHS a lot, I don't think we have enough orthodontists to offer adult NHS orthodontics and it would use even more of a budget that doesn't offer NHS dentistry to half the population.
I'm sorry your son wasn't offered NHS treatment but he was fortunate you still prioritised him despite this.

Thank you for this. It makes me think I wasn't such a bad Mum after all. I do agree with your statement about the cost of things NHS related. It's only when you (are lucky enough?) to go private that one realises the cost of what is free (at the point of delivery) on NHS. I think if there was a note issued (to patient or their family) for every treatment in NHS to show the true cost of their treatment I think (hope) there would be fewer missed appointments under the 'I can't be bothered to go' category. Apologies for controversial view.