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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be astounded that we have to pay for braces?!

256 replies

toothyname · 13/01/2011 14:38

(regular with name change!)

My step daughter has just gone to the orthodontics and has been told she needs braces but that NHS wont pay as it's cosmetic.. The cost is over £2000! Has anyone got any experience of this or succesfully challenged it..? Surely good teeth can't be the privilage of wealthy children..??

OP posts:
Memoo · 13/01/2011 14:42

I would look around because some orthodontist will still do braces on the NHS.

curlymama · 13/01/2011 14:43

YABU.

It's a shame that it can't be provided on the NHS, but like you say, it costs a fortune. Can you imagine what the total bill would be if the NHS had to pay for every child that needs them to have braces? It is a cosmetic procedure, her health will not suffer as a result of wonky teeth, so the NHS simply can't spare the money for things like this. The pot of money is not infinate.

sarah293 · 13/01/2011 14:44

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theevildead2 · 13/01/2011 14:46

Is it cosmetic though? Some people have only a very mild problem where they wouldn't need braces other than to give them Simon Cowellish teeth. Other have a genuine need with severely out of place teeth. How bad are your step daughters?

I've got 2 bottom teeth that I would like fixed, but I don't need it if you see what I mean.

Original poster
toothyname · 13/01/2011 14:46

But isn't it proven that wonky teeth can cause problems in later life? Wonky teeth cause psychological damage, no?

OP posts:
mankyscotslass · 13/01/2011 14:46

We have been told that it it likely both my older children will need braces.

We have also been told that, because of a recentish change in assessing "need" for braces, neither of them would be classed as being serious enough to be funded.

We are trying to save money for it just in case, but it's not possible at the moment. Sad

I don't know how we will find the money if they do need them.

theevildead2 · 13/01/2011 14:47

WHat Riven said but took me an extra 2 minutes to type Blush

HattiFattner · 13/01/2011 14:49

as I understand it (having 2 that need braces - eek!) the NHS covers braes if the degree of misalignment is severe - eg DS has a tooth that is twisted around about 60 degrees. His teeth are considered borderline for NHS funding because of the angle of he tooth isn't quite severe enough to warrant braces.

DD has relatively straight teeth, but her canines are out of line, so she grinds her teeth terribly severely and will need massive amounts of dental intervention in the future if its not corrected - even then, she may not be eligible for braces because realigning her canines is not a recognised solution to bruxism.

so yes NHS will fund, but only with prescribed and clearly defined limits.

sarah293 · 13/01/2011 14:50

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Original poster
toothyname · 13/01/2011 14:51

They are pretty bad.. the front two stick out quite a lot and there are lots of gaps. She couldn't possibly go in to adulthood with them, put it that way Grin

I've got to wonky teeth at the bottom and one at the back that's too far back but their fine.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 13/01/2011 14:52

i can't understand how they can say she needs them but only cosmetically? surely she needs them or she doesn't!

btw i think this is grossly unfair of the NHS.

Original poster
toothyname · 13/01/2011 14:52

You can get breast enlargements on NHS but not braces for children?

OP posts:
JoanofArgos · 13/01/2011 14:53

As far as I have seen, they mark the 'aesthetic component' of the teeth as they are - my dd's was v high as her front two were crossed over, and there was a lot of overcrowding - hence, all free. (I'm assuming 'aesthetic' here means 'potential trouble with cleaning' as well as just attractiveness).

But they've taken 4 of dd2's teeth out now - age 9 - to avoid similar overcrowding in her mouth, so I am thinking they might well not end up giving her free braces, if they're just a bit wonky rather than all over the place.

LadyInPink · 13/01/2011 14:55

Yes i was aware that you had to pay for braces as asked my dentist about it last year. My DD was an avid thumbsucker and so her teeth are pushed up creating a gap between top and bottom teeth. As she is still losing teeth I am hoping for the best but am (pardon the pun) bracing myself for the costs as will correct them if we can afford to.

They always used to be free on NHS when i was a child, I gathered it is a relatively new idea for parents to pay now but maybe I'm wrong. I was as shocked as you but do understand that costs have to be cut.

sarah293 · 13/01/2011 14:55

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HattiFattner · 13/01/2011 14:56

find out the criteria here

LadyInPink · 13/01/2011 14:58

Bureaucracy gorn mad imo with regards to free breasts but not free braces.

ChickensFlyingUnderTheRadar · 13/01/2011 15:00

I'm genuinely surprised by this. I had a brace as a child, and it was done on the NHS. Have an overbite, and teeth used to be more than a little outwards pointing (think dartboard attachers> It never occurred to me that my DC couldn't get free treatment as well.

haggis01 · 13/01/2011 15:00

Yes, the rules have changed.
There is now very strict criteria for what can be done on the NHS - I think there have to be problems top and bottom (a friend's child just had lots of probs up top.You can ask exactly why the NHS won't cover the cost and the orthodontist should explain why. When you have your initial referral appointment they take lots of photos with your child's lips held right back and they can tell from a photo chart of what is allowed whether they probably can do it - they then send off the photos and an application to the NHS and if approved start treatment.
One DD has been approved the other not - even though both were referred. I was warned one was borderline by my dentist.

The cost for private work on the unapproved child is 2-3K but she says she does not want braces. I was wondering if Dental schools still do free work if you have a supervised student?

EricNorthmansMistress · 13/01/2011 15:00

Breast enlargements/correction on the NHS is only for significant deformities or growth problems, not cos having small boobs makes you feel a bit self conscious Hmm

AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 13/01/2011 15:03

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aPixieInMyCaramelLatte · 13/01/2011 15:09

I had NO idea, you had to pay for braces now.

Mine where free, and bloody good job too because they took them off too early and all my teeth moved back to previous position.

TBF I do understand why they won't do it on the NHS now because a huge percentage of children need braces. I knew one person in my year at school who had naturally perfect straight teeth. Everyone had braces at one point or another so it would cost a huge amount.

Well, better start saving I suppose, with this and everything we have to sae for now (uni fee's, etc) it's gonna cost a fortune.

southeastastra · 13/01/2011 15:10

i really do not understand how it costs so much. my ds(17) lost his set and got some for £150 replacement. so how come it's so much if they only cost that to make?

Original poster
toothyname · 13/01/2011 15:11

eric my friend went to NHS 1 year ago in tears because her breasts were an A cup and she was so self conscious that it meant she couldnt have a sex life (bollocks) and they are now a perky C cup... free of chrage.

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sarah293 · 13/01/2011 15:11

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