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Preteens

Braces....how much have you paid?

21 replies

RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 12/09/2016 22:12

I've been told today that DS2 needs braces (no surprise) he would qualify for NHS treatment but there is currently a 3 year wait! He's 12 and would benefit from having them done sooner rather than later as his teeth are very crooked, he has a huge issue with them (is very self conscious) & the orthodontist thought it best to get them done sooner rather than later.
They quoted me. £1650 to have "train track" type braces & £2600 for the see through type.
I was actually surprised that it seems quite cheap. Yes I know it's a ridiculous amount of money and money that I don't have without borrowing from family
Should I shop around do you think or is it quite reasonable??

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ArgyMargy · 12/09/2016 22:22

Sounds about right to me. Why do you want to pay more?

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gillybeanz · 12/09/2016 22:26

We aren't paying and got in with orthodontist within a few weeks.
I thought it was the same everywhere, this is terrible.
Does he not need the clear ones first and then the tracks later. This is what dd and her friends, ds2 gf had.

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RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 12/09/2016 22:26

I don't want to pay more, but if I was buying something like a car then I would shop around.
I don't know if it is worth getting another quote or if this one is really reasonable.
Just wanted to know what other people have paid to give me an idea of what to do

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RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 12/09/2016 22:28

Gilly - no I was told it was either the metal or the clear ones not one & then the other.
I was shocked when they said how long the waiting list is I guess it's just the area I'm in - east mids. I can't leave him for 3 years though

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NecklessMumster · 12/09/2016 22:28

I can't believe you have a three year wait? That's terrible
My ds had a few weeks wait at age 12, has had braces from dental teaching hospital for a year now (train tracks).There's no way I could have paid two grand

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MargoReadbetter · 12/09/2016 22:29

We paid £2400 for DS's train track ones. It'd have been more for the clear ones or if we wanted follow up after school hours. He's quite happy to miss school for follow ups.

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RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 12/09/2016 22:38

I know the wait is shocking, she really got my hopes up when she said he'd qualify & then dropped that bombshell!
My boy would be more than happy to miss school :-)
£1650 is really good then compared to what you paid Margo, still a huge amount of money!

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chocdonutyy · 12/09/2016 22:43

Two options spring to mind
Wait and see if a cancellation occurs, I was told 18 months but got in after a month or so as someone cancelled.
Or maybe try another area if you can get there locally? Still nhs but possibly another local area may have more practices/orthodontists?

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RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 12/09/2016 22:49

Good advice choco thank you
You're absolutely right we could go on the waiting list expecting 3 years & get called within a month maybe we should go on it until Xmas and review

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dalmatianmad · 12/09/2016 22:56

Op without outing yourself, where roughly are you on the east midlands?
We're in Derbyshire, the waiting list was 3 years for Dd, I asked for a referral at a practice that's just over the border (about 25 mins away) and we were seen and started treatment within a few weeks, it's really worth the travel for free and quicker treatment....

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RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 12/09/2016 22:59

Same place Dalmatian!
Wow, that is amazing will absolutely be asking for a referral to another area (can I ask you where you were referred to?)

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WicksEnd · 12/09/2016 23:21

My dentist was gong to refer us to Chesterfield if our more local referral hadn't come through in time. (It did in the end and it's better for them to have them when they're younger as growth spurts help the treatment along)
He said Chesterfield always had a smaller waiting list if that's any good to you.

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lucjam2105 · 12/09/2016 23:31

I was quoted £6k or at least a year wait. We went for the wait. DD is 14.

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dalmatianmad · 13/09/2016 07:53

Morning Rainbow, I tried to PM you but it wouldn't work Hmm
The place we go to is called peak smiles in clay cross, it's just up the A38 from us in Derby. We've been going for 2 years and they are excellent, straight in and out, squeeze you in if one of the brackets break and they do Saturday sessions so it makes things easier with school Smile

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RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 13/09/2016 11:38

Morning Dalmatian, I didn't even know that there was a DM option, I'm new to MN. Do I need to activate it?
Sounds like we are in the same area, did you get referred there by your normal dentist in Derby or did you contact them directly?

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dalmatianmad · 13/09/2016 13:38

My dentist referred me to the "brace dentist" in Alvaston and I felt that they were quite pushy for me to go private and pay (was approx 3k) so I asked if there was anywhere else local with a shorter waiting list and they gave me the phone number of the one in clay cross, I contacted them, explained the situation and was seen within a couple of weeks, had to wait another couple of weeks for my notes to be sent over and then we started treatment!
Was all very easy and straightforward, I think you just need to be "cheeky" and ask what your options are!
You can choose where you have Hospital treatment so I suppose it's the same for dental, it's all NHS at the end of the day!

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RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 13/09/2016 13:45

Thanks Dalmatian, I will give Peak Smiles a ring and see what they say. You've been really helpful thank you x

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RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 13/09/2016 14:15

I've just rang them and they are seeing him in 2 weeks with a view to starting treatment ASAP. Thank you so much Dalmatian

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MargoReadbetter · 13/09/2016 14:21

It's not all NHS! Only severe cases. For example, DS isn't (not for lack of trying, we went for specialist Consultant opinion) so we pay for him. DD likely will as she had 4 teeth removed early on and they'll likely grow badly as she hasn't the space anymore.

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dalmatianmad · 13/09/2016 17:16

Awww excellent! I'm so bloody pleased for you! The lady is lovely, doesn't say very much, seems friendly and straight to the point! Parking can be difficult, we park in the Tesco car park and it's a couple of minutes walk, there's a fab home bargains/B+M type place next to Tesco and I always have to have a nosey and buy some crap Blush
Hope it all goes ok xx

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RainbowDashstolemyidentity · 13/09/2016 21:22

Brilliant thanks for the tips Dalmatian, I'm massively indebted to you X

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