Orthodontist with reputation asking 13 what her issues with how her teeth look and are... She's blissfully unaware...

[SpringisSpinning]

Dd has an over bite, we've been reffered, waiting list for years but also told the treatment timing is critical, jaw growth.

With covid etc it's been challenging, anyway, finally get her in and have phone appointments etc.

Orthadonrist asking questions about how daughter feels? I say well she's only known what's she's know re teeth and cosmetically she's blissfully unaware of looks etc.

He then asked her this when we saw him... And again the last time "what is your problem with your teeth, what do you hope to achieve... How do you feel about now your teeth look."

He's actually got a reputation for being rude and I'm absolutely furious that instead of simply doing the treatment he's asking these questions.

The reasons I am upset is because dd is very comfortable in her looks, she's not one for pamper parties, make up, nails etc at all.

She's 13 and seems very happy in her skin. She's not into shaving legs etc and seems wonderfully un touched by this media on slaught.

So to couch these questions on looks me.also on terms of looks how she feels now.... And how self conscious she may feel at 16 are vastly different things...

And its not something I want to even talk about because then it sounds like she does have a problem!!

Aren’t they standard questions? My dentist asked me the same

I think then ask to for background knowledge and to set expectations/goals. I had a brace for cosmetic reasons, which weren’t really all that necessary and I was asked the same

I was asked the same, last week. Must be standard practice.

I know nothing about this condition.
From what you've described, could it be that the clinician concerned is just trying to get a view from your DD's perspective ie. Does this condition impact in a major negative way in her daily life - or not?
Lovely to hear you DD is happily getting on with life.

these sound like terribly normal questions to me

My DD was asked similar questions. I believe that the orthodontist has to compile a funding request and it includes an element of how their teeth affects them psychologically.

It’s about consent and her ability to understand risks and benefits so she is able to make an informed decision.

If it’s NHS treatment it’s also about assessment of clinical need for orthodontics. If she’s not bothered and it’s not having a negative consequence, there is a question about whether it’s necessary treatment or purely cosmetic.

They only do if there is a clinical need surely? Not that it’s in the normal limits but you want it. If you say I’m fine that shouldn’t mean you have wait longer than someone who is unhappy. My teeth were dreadful as young teen but that’s all I knew so didn’t know how shocking they were until they were corrected.

Is it not that for some he might need to manage expectations; they have to understand what can be achieved and maybe in some cases that is less than hoped.

If your DD is happy with her teeth why is she having orthodontics?

Honestly thats like going to a hairdresser and being pissed off they ask you how you want your hair cut. Hes gauging your DDs wants and needs with regards to her teeth

He is professionally obliged to ask these questions and listen to the replies from your daughters perspective. Not yours. She is old enough to give informed consent for this procedure. It would be ethically unacceptable for him not to have this kind of conversation with her before carrying out the procedure

It's not remotely rude, op, those are perfectly normal, necessary questions.

Its your DDs teeth, if she's happy with how they look, and has no functional issues then orthodontic treatment isn't necessarily the right thing for her.

Its also not nessarily possible to get perfect teeth. So of someone comes in an says 'I am bothered by how crooked my teeth are' you will correct that, or if someone us bothered by their bite you will correct that, its not necessarily possible to do both

My DDs orthodontist asked the same questions. She explained that it about them understanding their treatment and how it will be there responsibility to look after their braces especially as it was nhs funded.

It's interesting that orthodontics aren't thought of as cosmetic. I know it isn't always cosmetic but often it is.
Asking her how she feels is relevant if it is purely cosmetic, isn't it? I guess the question is how does the orthodontist respond if she is not bothered. Does it have any impact on decisions?

Really struggling to see what is wrong with those questions!!

She's old enough to be part of the consent process, so sound like eminently reasonable questions.

I totally get it! Rude to imply to your DD that your DD's teeth are cosmetically defective after you have already explained that this is of no concern to her. Ruuuuude!! And quite possibly deliberate.

Very normal, especially if looking for nhs funding. They need to determine the commitment of child to treatment and what outcome they aspire to.

@YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators

I totally get it! Rude to imply to your DD that your DD's teeth are cosmetically defective after you have already explained that this is of no concern to her. Ruuuuude!! And quite possibly deliberate.

Jesus Christ 🤣🤣🤣

My daughter got orthodontist treatment 5 years ago and was asked the same questions, the orthodontist says it helps convince the people who decide if NHS will pay for it.

Ds also has braces but wasn't asked those questions but his teeth were needing a lot of work.

I know someone who had an overbite. She had an operation as a young adult (about 25, or so). Reason, nothing to do with looks, but to correct the bite, so she could eat properly.
I gues sit depends on how serious it is when grown.

Absolutely standard questions.

I think an issue with this approach is that orthodontics can be time sensitive if the underlying bone structure has to be influenced. So the orthodontics has to be during a period of bone growth. There's no point waiting for a 25 year old to come in and say 'I don't like my teeth' if that means you've missed that critical period.