DD told she can’t have NHS orthodontist treatment

[Readysteadife]

Was seen for an assessment about 2 years ago by the orthodontist. She was told she qualifies for NHS treatment .

Roll forward 2 years and yesterday she was told her teeth have improved and they are unable to offer NHS treatment . The teeth have “improved “ by 1mm and apparently that’s not on the parameters for NHS treatment.

Has anyone else experienced this ? I can’t help but think If it wasn’t for COVID she would have them . They said I can pay £2500 for them!

I am going back to the Orthodontist clinic next week to be seen by another Orthodontist as I wanted a second opinion . Should I get a independent opinion too ?

Dd was referred to the orthodontist by our dentist when she was 11. She's 14 now. 6 months ago the waiting list was still 4 yrs.
I asked our dentist if they were just hanging it out till she is 18 and has to pay herself and we're told if she's been referred before age 18 she will be treated before 18.

@Rowgtfc72 I wondered if my dentist was doing the same thing. I still think that was his plan but he’s now told me that the 18 years old cut off deadline was removed because of covid.

You pay to have them done. It’s purely cosmetic.

They have to have a cut off somewhere.
It’s not a Covid thing, 10years ago I was just outside the limit so didn’t qualify for braces.

DS2 was 1mm outside NHS criteria so we paid. About £2k. DS1 teeth always looked worse to me but he qualified for free treatment!

Both my children were refused despite needing twin blocks and all sorts of things to move their jaws. They each cost £5k (we had payment plans) but it has made a significant difference to both their lives.

The problem is that by labelling all of it (even the most severe cases) as cosmetic so the NHS doesn’t pay, there will be two categories of people - those who can pay and those who can’t.
Sadly it will be the children who will suffer. As usual those who have the least money will be worse off and have less opportunity to improve their lives.

Saying it is just cosmetic is such a huge understatement. Wonky teeth are just not acceptable in this day and age and I absolutely believe someone would be disadvantaged in many areas of life with crowded and crooked teeth. I had braces put on as an adult,as did my brother (my parents were of the 'it's only cosmetic' school of thought). It was the most immense relief. Years of shame melted away. I will be paying for my 3 children to have this treatment. I think it is deeply unfair that the treatment is confined to those who qualify under NHS rules and those who have money. Plenty will fall between those 2 stools. I feel terrible for those kids.

I do agree with you unfortunately, it is a sad reflection of our times

The Yak is fast becoming like the US in terms of teeth - with oral presentation a clear marker of socio-economic status and all the consequences that has for job opportunities and mental and physical health. It’s very, very poor and short-sighted.

My DD qualified but we were told it was a minimum of 18 months on the NHS, probably more like 2 years, before she could start treatment, so we paid privately. £2500 interest free over 18 months.