to be cross at DD's orthodontist

[pippiLS]

DD had a brace fitted on the NHS. Her orthodontist works part time and has most school holidays off. At DD's last appointment (over 2 months ago) OD said that her brace was ready to come off. At the appointment today OD said, 'yes, they're ready to come off' - next available appointment to have them removed is at the end of August.

AIBU to think that this is a poor standard of care to offer a patient.

Technically, YABU. I had to wait 2 months to even be given a hospital appointment for something potentially quite serious. It's just the NHS these days - severely understaffed.

If you want it done sooner, go private. I see how it's frustrating, but it's unfortunately just the way of it these days.

YABU - it's an NHS practice and totally irrelevant if the OD works part time.

If that's the next available appt then that's the next available appt. All NHS dentists are like this - I have to wait ages when I book. I could always go private if I want to be seen sooner, as could you.

I think it's U that DD has to have a brace stuck to her teeth for 3 months longer than necessary.

The OD has a distinct lack of sympathy/empathy.

I am just relieved that DDs braces are being supplied by the NHS is she had to wear them a few weeks longer in the scheme of things it better than the few grand I would for had to pay for private.

That's what makes me cross Thomyorke. It's another case of those who can afford it getting the best care.

Why we had to wait 10 weeks for a 2 minute appointment only to be told we'd have to wait another 7 weeks to have them removed - why not just remove the things today?

Why we had to wait 10 weeks for a 2 minute appointment only to be told we'd have to wait another 7 weeks to have them removed - why not just remove the things today?

Maybe because it takes longer than 2 mins, and then impressions need to be taken for a retainer

She'll probably be able to wear the retainer for less time, having had the brace on for longer.

The OD has a distinct lack of sympathy/empathy.

As someone who had a lot of orthodontic work done, I can assure you this seems to be pretty much the primary requirement to qualify as an orthodontist.

mistlethrush, I hope that's the case.

if you phrase this in the worst possible terms

your daughter is receiving unnecessary medical treatment against her wishes

if you suggest this to the orthodontist there is a very good chance they will find you an appointment much faster - especially if this is damaging her well being in anyway

I work for the NHS and care like this is unacceptable. If the braces are left on for longer than they need to be it can be counter productive and start moving the teeth to an undesirable position. There are strict guidelines on orthodontic appointments and your orthodontist is not acting in the best interest of the patient. Yanbu

Why we had to wait 10 weeks for a 2 minute appointment only to be told we'd have to wait another 7 weeks to have them removed - why not just remove the things today?

Does she have fixed "traintracks"? Takes a whole lot longer than two minutes to remove those...Plus, as PPs say, she will need impressions for a retainer as well.

It takes 30 minutes maximum to remove train tracks and take impressions. Orthodontists are supposed to keep appointments spare every week for such appointments.

If the braces are left on for longer than they need to be it can be counter productive and start moving the teeth to an undesirable position

Is this generally true? I had traintracks a few years back (after a childhood set as well) and I can't really see how teeth can continue to move beyond the force being exerted by the wire. For sure, if you carry on tightening, they might. But I assume the OP's daughter is wearing a retention-level wire until removal.

Yes it is true the wires have a 'life span' once this has been used after between 6/8 weeks they can become distorted.

Yes it is true the wires have a 'life span' once this has been used after between 6/8 weeks they can become distorted

Ah, I see, thanks!

I'm due to have my train track braces off soon and have been told that this will require basically a whole day of hanging around the hospital - appt in the morning to remove braces, remove all glue from teeth and take impressions for retainers. Then a further appt in the afternoon to fit the retainers. Apparently my teeth can't be left without braces or retainers even overnight.

Is this the case for your DD? If so, it's crap but perhaps understandable that it takes a while to schedule these appointments - it's a lot of time with the orthodontist and nurse, plus the lab's time in making the retainers in a hurry.

Yes, they are train tracks. Orthodontist said that the next appointment would last 20 minutes.

I think I might ring the Practice Manager

It took ages to get my traintracks off. The cracking of the brackets wasn't long, but all the glue removal/smoothing/etc took a while. I'd say I was in for an hour.

Not sure if it's relevant but my braces were privately paid, therefore conceivable that my dentist was willing to spend a longer amount of time on me?

Well I think YABVVVVVVVVU to make this about the orthodontist working part time/and off holidays, but YANBU to think the delay is unacceptable, surely someone else can see you.

Stillin I would have though that the wires simply become passive once the teeth are in position. They are very heavy wires by the end of treatment. They are unlikely to be causing damage by being left on for longer.

What are these strict guidelines that govern orthodontists re waiting times? I am not aware of any, our local orthodontist has a 2 month wait for private appointments. Most patients are seen at 8 week intervals so there is usually an 8 week wait for appointments.

The debond takes a long appointment with impressions and there will usually be a second appointment to fit the retainers that same day. Pippit if they are saying there is a two month wait why don't you ask if they have a cancellation list if you and your daughter are flexible?

What does sympathy or empathy have to do with when the next appointment is available?

If you want it done sooner, go private. I see how it's frustrating, but it's unfortunately just the way of it these days.

It doesn't necessarily work like that.

DD1 was told yesterday that her train tracks can now be removed.
The first appointment available is in 4 weeks time. If we can't make that appointment, it will be a further 2 week wait.

We have had to pay privately because she was a borderline case physically and wasn't, apparently, upset enough at her appearance to qualify for NHS treatment. Luckily she's had excellent care and it's been less than 9 months from start to finish, thus saving us a lot of money compared to the 18 months I was told to expect. It was still the best part of £2,000 however and I would put up with another couple of weeks' delay in order to have saved that money, to be honest.