When I was 17, and in full time education, my dentist said that I need braces. But he said as I was over 16 I did not qualify to get them free on the nhs so would have to pay for the treatment. Because of this I told him not to refer me as there is no way my parents or myself could afford the around £3000 it would cost.
However, I recently did some research and discovered that as I was under 18 and in full time education, I could have got braces for free on the nhs.
I am now 19 and have asked my dentist to refer me to an orthodontist as my teeth are really crooked and I think I have an overbite which is causing jaw pain. He has referred me to an orthodontic hospital but says I am now very unlikely to get free treatment and there is a very long waiting list. But I do have a HC2 form as I am a student and from a family on low income.
Do you think I should complain that I wasn't referred earlier and now will probably have to pay for treatment? Does anyone have a similar experience, if so what was the outcome? And who should I complain to?
Thanks
However, I recently did some research and discovered that as I was under 18 and in full time education, I could have got braces for free on the nhs.
I am now 19 and have asked my dentist to refer me to an orthodontist as my teeth are really crooked and I think I have an overbite which is causing jaw pain. He has referred me to an orthodontic hospital but says I am now very unlikely to get free treatment and there is a very long waiting list. But I do have a HC2 form as I am a student and from a family on low income.
Do you think I should complain that I wasn't referred earlier and now will probably have to pay for treatment? Does anyone have a similar experience, if so what was the outcome? And who should I complain to?
Thanks