NHS charging for braces

[wookette]

My son has been assessed by an orthodontist for braces and was told we would have to pay for them as his case 'wasn't bad enough' - despite the fact he keeps chewing the inside of his mouth every time he eats and ends up with a mouthful of blood. The treatment costs nearly £4000! In all fairness, we were offered interest free payments but the deposit was sky high and so were the payments. I cannot afford this and so the problem goes on... has anyone got any sound advice please?

[woofgang]

Ask first of all what are the objective criteria by which his case has been judged? If you are given an answer then it may be that you understand the refusal. If you aren't given an objective answer or you aren't happy with it then you could go to the PCT and appeal the decision. Start at the PALS department.

[IggyB]

I'm sorry to hear about your sons problems - have you seen this information about NHS orthodontic treatment?
http://www.nhs.uk/con...ges/Introduction.aspx

As each decision whether the work can be funded on the NHS or not is done on a case by case basis I would recommend getting a second opinion because even though your current dentist has seen the problem as a grade 2 another dentist might see it as grade 3 (and therefore fund on the NHS). The information on the link talks about how much the teeth protrude at the front - if your sons problems are within the mouth maybe your dentist has failed to consider this and a full explanation (and your fears of infection etc) might persuade him to regrade?

good luck and all the best

IggyB

[boxtops]

Does it make a difference how old your son is?

[sara3]

we were told the same thing, but were about to change dentists (as we had moved) and got referred to a different orthodontists.. and they agreed to do it on the NHS.

[Lore]

A friend of mine and her son has recently been told pretty much the same - even though he's been on the waiting list for two years, their orthodontist refused to do the work due to new government cut backs. :(