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Child (with tourettes) lost his brace and NHS dentist want to charge for replacement
Atari_Wife
Posts: 3 Newbie
Hi,
My (13 yo) son has a brace, he has various mental health problems with the main one being Tourettes. He recently lost part of his brace and upon discussion with dentist they stated I would have to pay £70 for a new one.
Is this correct? He is an NHS patient, the brace has broken about 3 times previously and it was over a year old.
Thanks.
My (13 yo) son has a brace, he has various mental health problems with the main one being Tourettes. He recently lost part of his brace and upon discussion with dentist they stated I would have to pay £70 for a new one.
Is this correct? He is an NHS patient, the brace has broken about 3 times previously and it was over a year old.
Thanks.
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Comments
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speak to your local PCT for advice on this0
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Yes this is right , they have to charge according to the regulations but you can get a form to try to reclaim the money back from the pct due to extenuating circumstances. However it is not guaranteed you will get the money back. You normally have to detail on the form exactly what happened etc. Phone your pct for a copy .
The regulations are that a dentist must claim for a lost brace or where a part has been lost . This can make it very expensive if your child does not keep the brace in their mouth all the time. If they break/ lose it again you will have to pay again and try to get the money back again.0 -
Yes it is right, my son thought he had lost his and I was told I'd have to pay for it. Thankfully we found it.0
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When my sons got braces on the NHS I had to sign a form stating that I would have to pay £50 for a replacement if they lost the brace/part of a twin block system. Did you not sign a similar agreement? IIRC my sons signed the agreement too.
It's only a game
~*~*~ We're only here to dream ~*~*~0 -
Im no dentistry expert but I do deal with discretionary optical vouchers. Basically losing it wouldn't qualify unless it was lost during a medical event, example epileptic fit where the patient wasn't conscious. Hope the rules are less harsh for dentistry.0
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Of course you should pay for it. The NHS isnt there to provide services willy nilly without a care in the world. Teach your son to look after the things he has.
How can you lose something that is supposed to be in your mouth 24/7 anyway?0 -
QuackQuackOops wrote: »How can you lose something that is supposed to be in your mouth 24/7 anyway?
It could be lost because someone with Tourettes might put it in the mouth....take it out ...put it in ...take it out...pop it in their pocket...take it out of their pocket...pop it in their pocket...turn it upside down etc etc people with Tourettes have an insatiable desire to do unusual things !
I have lived with a child with Tourettes for many years and it is a totally bizarre disorder where totally irrational and erratic actions are comonplace. Think yourself lucky that you know so little about the disorder...
I have had brain surgery - sorry if I am a little confused sometimes
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sarahlouise210 wrote: »It could be lost because someone with Tourettes might put it in the mouth....take it out ...put it in ...take it out...pop it in their pocket...take it out of their pocket...pop it in their pocket...turn it upside down etc etc people with Tourettes have an insatiable desire to do unusual things !
If that were the case with the OP's child, then orthodontic treatment would have been deemed unsuitable.
Teeth will only move if the brace is kept where it is. If he brace is constantly played with and moved in and out, nothing would work.
A lot of courses of orthodontic treatment require teeth to be removed first. This should only ever be undertaken if you're pretty sure the treatment will be successful, otherwise the patient is left worse off than had treatment never been done.
It is better not to treat, than to try and treat and fail.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0 -
I'm surprised they didn't decide to use permanent braces in this case - that are actually fixed to the teeth. You can't take those out DMP Mutual Support Thread member 244
Quit smoking 13/05/2013
Joined Slimming World 02/12/13. Loss so far = 60lb in 28 weeks :j 18lb to go
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skintandscared wrote: »I'm surprised they didn't decide to use permanent braces in this case - that are actually fixed to the teeth. You can't take those out
Different braces do different jobs.
Plus, fixing the braces does nothing to improve treatment outcomes if the child is unwilling or uncooperative. Fixed braces can still be broken very easily (probably more easily) so the child has to still be cooperative, and lookafter them.
Plus - fixed braces can cause a lot more problems with gum inflammation if toothbrushing isn't perfect.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0
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