NHS vs Private Othodontist...
Discussion
Bit of a whine for which I apologise, if anyone has any advice on alternative courses of action I'd be very greatful..
To try and cut a long story short, my son needs braces, his mum gets a dentists referal to a local Orthodontist (as an NHS patient), within a 5-10 minute consultation with the ortho-d they are told "His jaw needs widening, this is beyond my expertise, I'm refering him to hospital"
We've been told to expect a 4 month wait just to get an appointment at the hospital and a further 12-36 months for any actual treatment! yay!
I did some research into this surgery, it's pallet expansion, and it's not pretty, it's very invasive, very uncomfortable, and very painful. Not what I'd want a 12 -15 year old to go through. (could be any of those ages by the time treatment happens!)
so, I took him to a private clinic, who spent over an hour taking photos, and measurements, (not a quick 5 minute look).
The verdict was for a 100% "perfect" bit, he would need to surgery, however with modern "Damon" braces and a strict routine of rubber band wearing between rows of teeth he should be all sorted to about 90% of what the surgery would achieve, he would have a slight "under bite" but nothing major and the seriously crowded teeth he has now would be sorted.
So, seems like a no brainer really, why have risky, painful surgery, with potential nasty side effects and the risk of infection when a simple brace will do the trick.
Except, this brace isnt available on the NHS, he could fit "standard" braces but they wouldnt be as effective at moving his teeth in the right direction. No a "top up" payment isnt possible, because that would mean a 2-tier NHS.
The damage, £3500.
I'm very fortunate in that I can pay this and get the best treatment for my son, but it infuriates me that if I didn't he's be waiting several years for some painful surgery instead because that's all that's allowed on the NHS. (It's even more infuriating that I'll have already paid a large sum of income tax on that money, and I wont be seeing any of that back either!)
Surely surgery would cost a LOT more than 3.5K anyway!
Add to that the effective brush off he got at the NHS orthodontist, reading between the lines I'm guessing the thought process went a little like this.. a slightly difficult case presents as an NHS patient, doesn't look like mum has a few grand in her handbag, no money in this kind of treatment, ship them off to the hospital.
The difference in the time spent on the assessments and discussing the options was unreal.
Sorry for the whine/rant, had to get it off my chest.
To try and cut a long story short, my son needs braces, his mum gets a dentists referal to a local Orthodontist (as an NHS patient), within a 5-10 minute consultation with the ortho-d they are told "His jaw needs widening, this is beyond my expertise, I'm refering him to hospital"
We've been told to expect a 4 month wait just to get an appointment at the hospital and a further 12-36 months for any actual treatment! yay!
I did some research into this surgery, it's pallet expansion, and it's not pretty, it's very invasive, very uncomfortable, and very painful. Not what I'd want a 12 -15 year old to go through. (could be any of those ages by the time treatment happens!)
so, I took him to a private clinic, who spent over an hour taking photos, and measurements, (not a quick 5 minute look).
The verdict was for a 100% "perfect" bit, he would need to surgery, however with modern "Damon" braces and a strict routine of rubber band wearing between rows of teeth he should be all sorted to about 90% of what the surgery would achieve, he would have a slight "under bite" but nothing major and the seriously crowded teeth he has now would be sorted.
So, seems like a no brainer really, why have risky, painful surgery, with potential nasty side effects and the risk of infection when a simple brace will do the trick.
Except, this brace isnt available on the NHS, he could fit "standard" braces but they wouldnt be as effective at moving his teeth in the right direction. No a "top up" payment isnt possible, because that would mean a 2-tier NHS.
The damage, £3500.
I'm very fortunate in that I can pay this and get the best treatment for my son, but it infuriates me that if I didn't he's be waiting several years for some painful surgery instead because that's all that's allowed on the NHS. (It's even more infuriating that I'll have already paid a large sum of income tax on that money, and I wont be seeing any of that back either!)
Surely surgery would cost a LOT more than 3.5K anyway!
Add to that the effective brush off he got at the NHS orthodontist, reading between the lines I'm guessing the thought process went a little like this.. a slightly difficult case presents as an NHS patient, doesn't look like mum has a few grand in her handbag, no money in this kind of treatment, ship them off to the hospital.
The difference in the time spent on the assessments and discussing the options was unreal.
Sorry for the whine/rant, had to get it off my chest.
Been there and got the t-shirt. Too many teeth, too small a jaw. I went the non-extraction route privately and I don't regret it, five years worth of braces etc later, I had straight teeth - does a world of good for self confidence. Word of warning, even with the non-extraction method you are looking at it will be uncomfortable for your son - but the end results definitely justify the pain/discomfort (and outlay).
£3500 isn't bad either, considering it cost my parents almost that 10+ years ago, so adjusted for inflation, I dare say it is even (slightly) cheaper.
£3500 isn't bad either, considering it cost my parents almost that 10+ years ago, so adjusted for inflation, I dare say it is even (slightly) cheaper.
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