DS & getting braces

[Mawface]

Hi was at the dentist with DS12 today.
About 3 appts ago the dentist said he would be referred for braces, the next appt & a different dentist said he still had a few baby teeth and we had to wait. Next appt they said he would be referred at the one booked for today if the gaps in his teeth had not got smaller.

Went in today & a totally different dentist was doing his check up. He was to get an xray and I asked about the referral. He then asked DS if he wanted braces, he said no. The dentist then told us well if he doesn't want them then he doesn't get them? Is this right? The 2 previous dentists had said he was to be referred due to large gaps but this third has said no.

When I got home I spoke to about it and he's changed his mind and said he does want them 🙃 but now we need to wait until April for the next appt!

Same sort of thing here (but a while ago). Same orthodontist couldn't do braces due to teeth not being clean enough, too many gaps, too few gaps, wrong shaped jaw....all at 6 month intervals. As soon as son was over 18 (or whatever age limit it was) 'Oh I could do them now but you are over X so you'll need to go private'.

That's terrible! We've been waiting 2 years to get the referral and thought today was the appt to finally get the ball rolling! I would defo rather he gets them as young as possible.

On the referral form the dentist has to confirm that
the child is in late mixed dentition ie most of the baby teeth have gone

that oral hygiene is good

that co operation is good ie the child wants the brace . There is no point going ahead with braces if child doesn’t want them as they can easily break/destroy braces , not wear appliances, not care for teeth properly.

Unfortunately if your son said they don’t want braces then dentist cannot refer.