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

[toothyname]

(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..??

We have a nhs dentist who has referred DS2 to the orthodontist. We received a letter to say there is an 18 month waiting list to be even seen and then another 18 months to wait to have any work done. However if we wanted to be seen next week and go private then we could but it would be around £2000 .

DS1 is going to see the orthondontist at the hospital next week, as he ahs very crooked teeth. No one has ever mentioned us having to pay for braces for him

It is cosmetic but the NHS will fund correction of severe misalignment but cases were it is mild they won't fund. Cosmetic Breast enlargement/reduction is not done on the NHS unless a psychiatrist agrees that there is a substantial risk to the persons physical or mental health from the problem.

We had this shocker last year too

old thread

I thought braces and orthadontic work was free too . DD is having some work done at the moment and it is costing us many euros. I was hoping that on our return to the UK it would be free. I am optimistic that she'll fall into the correct category though, her teeth are shockers.

Be thankful her only physical problem in life is a minor cosmetic flaw, and be grateful you're not Riven.

And you're friend who had the boob job on the NHS only got it because she lied. If she'd have been truthful she wouldn't have got it would she?

YABU

and how are pople expected to pay for this - do they expect it paid upfront?

My dd was told by her dentist that she would need braces, she was assessed by the orthodontist and it is being fully funded by the NHS here.

The orthodontist has told us that to do it privately would cost just over £5000 because of everything that needs doing.

DS1 was told by dentist that he needs braces. his teeth are really bad, very wonky and he has a big overbite which affects his eating.

Why bring Riven's DD into this bubble.

And yes I know about her DD.

its a long process,can see why it costs so much!!

i have 2 dds who have had full treatments,and a ds who is in system for it,but untill all adult teeth are through,they wont actually start work.

its still free here

OMG. Like Saltire said, do they want it upfront? Or can you pay in instalments?

DD is still an avid thumbsucker in spite of repeated warnings she will need a brace when older. I was only worried about the pain it would cause her - didn't realise it was going to hurt us too!

nope don't agree that is equals £2,000 worth of work, it just doesn't! ds had 10 minute check ups every three months or so.

i can sort of undertand paying for those and braces but would argue that they would come to £2k!

Why should the NHS pay for cosmetic procedures? It is currently not possible to get unsightly moles removed unless there is a clear medical need, or even to have varicose veins treated. Why should wonky teeth be any different really? The NHS is not a bottomless pit of funds, and other things just have to take priority.

I have finally helped a patient very disabled by her enormous breasts to get funding from the local PCT for her medically necessary surgery to reduce them; she (and I)rather resented the obstacles we encountered in getting this paid for by the NHS (as advised by myself, as her GP, and also her orthopaedic and breast surgeons), but overall I was glad that NHS funds are being protected for medical and not cosmetic use. I see patients daily who want referrals for treatments I know they won't get, even though they feel they are an exception and a deserving case (ladies with very saggy tummies after several babies who want tummy tucks are the commonest). While I really do feel for them, I have to explain that cosmetic surgery is just not part of the NHS's remit.

Successful challenges are possible, and happen all the time if you can prove either MEDICAL need, or severe consequences if treatment is not provided.

Presume those who have really bad teeth get their teeth corrected so they are better than those with just slightly wonky teeth. If so that seems a little unfair, very all or nothing.

My feeling is that they tell people it costs £2000 and most people pay but if you appeal it we might get it paid for?

I dont believe the actual cost is £2000 so i don't feel guilty for wanting this to be funded.

I have no idea about Riven's story... I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but yes, we all thank god if the only problems our children have is their teeth but that doesnt make it any less annoying.

You can't and never could get a 'boob job' on the NHS if you simply wanted to enhance your cleavage.
Breast reduction where huge breasts cause backache and other problems, and breast re-construction following mastectomy, yes.

Except where misaligned teeth cause dental and knock-on health problems, I see no reason why the National HEALTH Service should be using resources to make teeth look better.

But this is children I thought we paid for children to have the things they need in this society?

at this. Me and my 3 siblings all had braces (shit teeth genes!). They were free back in the 80s. It would have cost my mum a fortune otherwise.

each child is different,my isd dd had more work,some of which was more complicated,and longer overall. so obviously would be a different price

isnt the £2000 just a rough amount....?

Of course it costs £2000 the orthodontist and all his support staff, rents, and lab staff have to be paid.

Hollow laugh @ "I though we paid for children to have the things they need in this society?"