Private Orthodontist Closed - Can NHS take Over ?
Discussion
HELP !
My wife took our (then) 11yr old to get his teeth straightened out to an Orthodontist that was recommended by his NHS dentist.
2 yrs later his treatment is still only half complete as the practise kept changing staff / couldn't give appointments.
The centre (which was 30mins away) is now closing and they want our son to go to another one of their centres which is a further 30mins away.
We have said that we aren't happy with the service they have provided and wouldn't consider carrying on with a centre further away and want them to cover the cost for the remaining treatment to be carried out elsewhere.
My wife has already paid £1,800 for the FULL treatment upfront to the first practise (needless to say without my agreement).
His NHS dentist has said his practise will take over the treatment - Privately - for a FURTHER £2k (ie £200 more than we paid and half the work is complete - seems like profiteering to me)
So what are the options:
1) Sue for breach of contract (I'm unsure what contract we even have)
2) Can the NHS take over the treatment ? (I have no idea why he went privately in the first place)
3) End up paying £3800 for a set of bloody braces
My wife took our (then) 11yr old to get his teeth straightened out to an Orthodontist that was recommended by his NHS dentist.
2 yrs later his treatment is still only half complete as the practise kept changing staff / couldn't give appointments.
The centre (which was 30mins away) is now closing and they want our son to go to another one of their centres which is a further 30mins away.
We have said that we aren't happy with the service they have provided and wouldn't consider carrying on with a centre further away and want them to cover the cost for the remaining treatment to be carried out elsewhere.
My wife has already paid £1,800 for the FULL treatment upfront to the first practise (needless to say without my agreement).
His NHS dentist has said his practise will take over the treatment - Privately - for a FURTHER £2k (ie £200 more than we paid and half the work is complete - seems like profiteering to me)
So what are the options:
1) Sue for breach of contract (I'm unsure what contract we even have)
2) Can the NHS take over the treatment ? (I have no idea why he went privately in the first place)
3) End up paying £3800 for a set of bloody braces
With regards Nhs treatment, this is provided in reltion to an assessment of IOTN ( indication of treatment need) score. If your childs Malocclusion( bad bite) was deemed sufficent, the NHS would provide the treatment.
Given you were sent private in the first place there is a good chance your childs malocclusion was deemed insufficient to warrent nhs orthodontics by your dentist. Though you would be best asking that question of your dentist.
Now your child is halfway through treatment it is less likley the IOTN criteria would be reached.
You could ask your PCT. Whats the worst they can say.
Given you were sent private in the first place there is a good chance your childs malocclusion was deemed insufficient to warrent nhs orthodontics by your dentist. Though you would be best asking that question of your dentist.
Now your child is halfway through treatment it is less likley the IOTN criteria would be reached.
You could ask your PCT. Whats the worst they can say.
Thanks for the replies.
I gather the reason he went Private was to have an "invisible" brace.
His front teeth are now straight BUT he had 4 teeth removed prior to fitting the brace by the NHS dentist and these gaps are still there so now the rear ones are being pulled forward.
I have googled but who exactly should I ask in the NHS - as his dentist is wanting the "private" fee he's unlikely to offer to do it on the NHS for presumably less money.
I gather the reason he went Private was to have an "invisible" brace.
His front teeth are now straight BUT he had 4 teeth removed prior to fitting the brace by the NHS dentist and these gaps are still there so now the rear ones are being pulled forward.
I have googled but who exactly should I ask in the NHS - as his dentist is wanting the "private" fee he's unlikely to offer to do it on the NHS for presumably less money.
Pulse said:
As you say, it will depend on the contract you formed initially. They may have a get out of course, in that they are providing you with another location. How many more treatments would it take, and how much would it cost you in fuel/time vs going elsewhere?
Given that its taken 2 yrs and lots of visits as bands etc keep breaking it could be quite an adventure.Also the original guy's private hours were outside of school time but the last 2's weren't.
So now a 10am appointment would mean he'd pretty much miss a day of school a late one would be no use either as we have 3 other kids needing collecting from school.
As far as I know...you had a contract for 1800quid to have your childs teeth straightened. This wasnt done and so breach of contract. Ask for some money back. That would seem like the law to me. I'm sure you dont want to travel another extra 30 mins. The NHS is not in this matter. If it had been and NHS dentist the ;ocal PCT must find an orthodontist to continue the treatment. Threaten lawyers.
MacGee said:
As far as I know...you had a contract for 1800quid to have your childs teeth straightened. This wasnt done and so breach of contract. Ask for some money back. That would seem like the law to me. I'm sure you dont want to travel another extra 30 mins. The NHS is not in this matter. If it had been and NHS dentist the ;ocal PCT must find an orthodontist to continue the treatment. Threaten lawyers.
Ah but the problem is that it seems that no one wants to take on a "half job" and they want to actually charge more. So really we need £2k back to get the job finished without losing out and I don't see that happening.So I was hoping we might be able to get him back into the NHS. Just like people who have botched cosmetic surgery do.
I would tend to say that £1800 is very reasonable for "invisable braces" in general. I can also completely understand why people do not want to take on a half finished job. Different orthodontists have differing preferred methods for straightening the teeth.
For the easiest life overall and for the continuation of the care probably the easiest option is to just bite the bullet and do teh extra travel.
With regards the botched cosmetic surgery, it does not really happen with ortho as it is such a long treatment with many visits. Not something you can do on a week away.
Certainly you do hear of similar stories with implants and the basic nhs treatment for this is the surgical removal of the failing implant and that is it.
For the easiest life overall and for the continuation of the care probably the easiest option is to just bite the bullet and do teh extra travel.
With regards the botched cosmetic surgery, it does not really happen with ortho as it is such a long treatment with many visits. Not something you can do on a week away.
Certainly you do hear of similar stories with implants and the basic nhs treatment for this is the surgical removal of the failing implant and that is it.
Edited by prg1 on Wednesday 13th April 20:51
If they had done a good job we might travel but we have had 4 different Orthodontists and frequently waited weeks to get an appointment so are sick to death of them as it is.
They did a good job with his sister which is why he went.
The 4 teeth behind his canines were removed and now they are trying to bring the molars forward could be 4mm.
So who (other than his current dentist) should we talk to ?
Thanks
They did a good job with his sister which is why he went.
The 4 teeth behind his canines were removed and now they are trying to bring the molars forward could be 4mm.
So who (other than his current dentist) should we talk to ?
Thanks
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