Do any of you have ideas on how to get around the new legislation for Childrens dental braces?

Question

My daughter needs a brace. She has wonky teeth but not wonky enough to warrant NHS funding for brace. We could be looking at £2000 for treatment and I feel rather annoyed (to put it mildly) especially given that this is seen a cosmetic work and not something that will affect her. I feel that my daughters self esteem is as important reason as any to get the braces on the NHS, and I am a tax payer who has always worker. The extra expense of these braces is going to affect our standard of living so much, but I cannot let her go without. Any suggestions for convincing the NHS? Or do any of you know of loopholes etc? Thank you for your help in advance.

Thanks foryour response Cheese A but you shouldnt be angry at me. Why didnt you PAY for your mothers operation then if it was that essential - I mean if it was truly essential wouldnt she bee seen straighta way? See its not nice to be judged is it. I pay my taxes like any other good citizen. And yes I do think self esteem is very important...isnt yours? Thanks for the judgement hope that anger is working for you.

Answer 1

Strictly speaking thats not true. I spoke at length to a friend who is a G.P. in London on a similar issue that was still classed as cosmetic, they have no right to stop you their just being difficult. Keep on at them, try another area. Don't take no for an answer, write some heart pulling letters about the torment and distress its causing her, seriously don't give up keep attacking. ; )


ADD, CHEESE A what the hell has that got to do with the question??? The waiting lists are a joke, I agree but I doubt that this childs op would be carried out by the same dude that was gonna operate on your Gran. Blame the consultants, have a go at the system, but don't deniy another treatment. For whatever reason.

Answer 2

Am sorry to hear of your predicament but I'm afraid the best you can do is ask for a second opinion, if you have been assessed by an orthodontist and they have decided that you do not meet the treatment criteria then you do not have much option other than to go private.

Ask for an exact reason why you can not get treatment, it may be that a second opinion may have a slightly different result.

But bear in mind that The NHS Orthodontic system is currently over worked and thus most areas are working to Index of treatment Needs which gives points for various things. and if you don't have enough points you don't get seen.

Sorry but that's the way it is, perhaps you would do better writing to your MP to try to get funding into the NHS rather than blame an over worked underfunded health care service.

Answer 3

This answer is for Cheese - don't tell me that it's 'purely cosmetic'. That is one of the major problems facing people who need treatment. So many average joes go around spouting that it's only cosmetic and no big deal. While it isn't as serious as waiting for cancer treatment or something of that nature, braces can be a MEDICALLY NECESSARY treatment which gone without can cause many more issues than poor self esteem. Most dental work is or becomes expensive, it's much wiser to prevent.

For the original poster, I am not in the UK, but even in the US the ins funding for braces is minimal. Some ins funding is better than nothing, but most of the time we couldn't dream of having the government pay the full cost. Our health care system is mostly private though, and many people pay an arm and a leg anything to have ins. Are you able to get a second or third opinion from another ortho?

Answer 4

Unfortunately, the NHS is cash strapped and is primarily concerned with TRYING TO SAVE LIVES. Having slightly wonky teeth as I, your daughter and millions of others do will not affect her life, prospects or self esteem unless you make a big deal out of it. Maybe your daughter could wait until she's a little older to save up and get them done, as I'm intending to do. There are so many people with so many problems that wonky teeth are not top of the list. I had a problem which caused me almost constant pain and discomfort and required major surgery, I waited over two years for this surgery on the NHS. People are dying because cancer drugs are too costly for the NHS to provide. Are braces worth someone's life?

Answer 5

At the end of the day, it IS cosmetic work, and I am quite pleased there is no funding for you.

I don't see why treatment like this should get paid on the NHS, especially as my mother has to wait over a year to get an essential operation done on NHS.

In response to below, the whole reason the waiting list is so long is because the budget for the NHS is so tight, as a whole. If treatments like braces are going to be allowed then there is less for the real cases. Self esteem vs being allowed the chance to live, you weigh it up.

If you had a big nose would you expect the NHS to pay for you to get a nose job?? That would also affect your self esteem, but thats the cards life deals.

Answer 6

You could try seeking a second opinion, but to be honest i think you'd be told the same thing.
My dentist refers many children to the orthodontist and many parents have found themselves in your situation.
If the orthodontist has checked your daughters teeth and feels that she is not suffering from a severe over bite/jet then she sadly falls under the "cosmetic" category and he/she will not carry the treatment out under the nhs.
This is not a new legislation I'm afraid, the government and the General Dental Council lay down very clear guide lines and the orthodontist is playing by the rules.
If he/she carried out the treatment under the nhs and your daughter was called up before the dental examining board to be examined to see if her treatment was warranted under the nhs guide lines, your dentist could find his/her self in hot water.

Answer 7

Some people have very severe orthodontic problems and the cash is spread very thinly. The worst cases must be prioritised I'm afraid.

The only thing I can think of is whether your dentist could refer you to a teaching hospital in one of the major cities-where supervised students would carry out the treatment and funding would come via the university system. This may not be possible in all areas however, it depends upon where you live.

Answer 8

you in the uk?if so try another orthadontics,if that one fails try another,or go to drs and ask for a refferal asap.