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Orthodontics

Hey guys. Could u kind peeps help me out here? i need a rundown on the costs of orthodontic treatment in the UK, cuz i'm an overseas student, and i'm halfway through wearing braces. My dentist says i've about a year to go with a mouth full of metal.

I'm wondering how much does braces treatment costs, per visit? and any other advice would be helpful.

Thanksss!

Reply 1

pride99

ERmm...mine are coming off in 6 weeks =D! finally!
I got mine for free, no cost at all, but your an oversees student so it might be different, i think its quite expensive if you go private though..

Reply 2

paintedblind

1

Well, it doesn't cost anything on the NHS.

If you're going private, I believe it costs around £3,000 for the full treatment (at least, that's the figure they quoted to me)

Reply 3

sul

14

mine was private, cost £1000 upper brace only. comes off in 28 days hahahaha uni is in 35 days!!

Reply 4

myriadguy

OP

thanks for the replies!

Braces are covered under the NHS? i'm getting conflicted responses to that answer, some ppl tell me the NHS doesnt cover it cuz its not essential, but i've also hear i can register under the NHS to complete my treatment. Could someone confirm this?

Reply 5

Trangulor

6

The nhs has stopped doing free braces for all except for extreme circumstances. I guess it depends on how bad your teeth really are/were. You would need to show that your teeth would go back to being 'extreme' if they didn't give you the treatment

Reply 6

paintedblind

1

Trangulor

The nhs has stopped doing free braces for all except for extreme circumstances. I guess it depends on how bad your teeth really are/were. You would need to show that your teeth would go back to being 'extreme' if they didn't give you the treatment

Really?

Well, thank goodness I got in there, then. There's no way my family could have afforded that much with rising school fees as well.

Reply 7

yorkshirelass

14

You have to be under 18 at the commencement of your treatment to get it on the NHS.

Reply 8

Squelchy

Yeah, thank God I got mine sorted in my teens.

Wasn't nice at the time, but damn am I glad now.

Reply 9

Angelharpist

13

My teeth problems were deemed purely cosmetic by the NHS, which meant I had to pay £4,000 to see a private orthodontist...

I'm not sure what the situation is if you've already started treatment elsewhere though... :confused:

Reply 10

Helenia

20

myriadguy

thanks for the replies!

Braces are covered under the NHS? i'm getting conflicted responses to that answer, some ppl tell me the NHS doesnt cover it cuz its not essential, but i've also hear i can register under the NHS to complete my treatment. Could someone confirm this?

As far as I know, once you are 18 you are no longer entitled to free dental treatment (including braces) on the NHS, unless you are on unemployment benefits/similar, or have an HC2 certificate stating you're on a low income. I'm not sure what the situation for international students is at all, but unless you're from the EU, I wouldn't be too hopeful for completely free treatment. You MAY be lucky and only have to pay NHS rates, which are subsidised and therefore significantly less than private rates, but I'm not sure.

Reply 11

Tractor-girlie

I get free NHS dental care as im a student, Braces were free as well bu had them in my teens. Didnt realise they had changed it so they are not free any more.

Reply 12

Helenia

20

You don't get it automatically free if you're a student though - you need an HC2 certificate to prove you're on low income. And they take savings etc into account so it's a bit of a bummer.

Reply 13

Tractor-girlie

Helenia

You don't get it automatically free if you're a student though - you need an HC2 certificate to prove you're on low income. And they take savings etc into account so it's a bit of a bummer.

Dont know why I do, I just say im a student. Im not from a low income family.

Reply 14

Helenia

20

Tractor-girlie

Dont know why I do, I just say im a student. Im not from a low income family.

Guess you have a nice practice then! Mine won't do it, you have to have the right certificate. And the HC2 is to show that you personally are on a low income, not your family.

Reply 15

yorkshirelass

14

Helenia

As far as I know, once you are 18 you are no longer entitled to free dental treatment (including braces) on the NHS, unless you are on unemployment benefits/similar, or have an HC2 certificate stating you're on a low income. I'm not sure what the situation for international students is at all, but unless you're from the EU, I wouldn't be too hopeful for completely free treatment. You MAY be lucky and only have to pay NHS rates, which are subsidised and therefore significantly less than private rates, but I'm not sure.

It's when you start though. I'm almost 19 and receiving treatment but it started a week before I turned 18.. I'm jammy like that.

Reply 16

Sasuke!

14

hmmm i dont know if im lucky i got braces at 17 like late 17 for free, and my teeth wasnt even that bad there are far more people who have more messed up teeth, there was only slight crowding on my left side. yeah i hear teh price for full treatment is £3000.

Reply 17

Don Vito Corleone

2

I am 16, and my treatment is free.

I think it's because I am still in full-time education. (6th form.)

I also think my orthodontist does a brilliant job when I go to see him as well.