Private Paediatric Orthodontics: How to Avoid Long NHS Waiting Lists
Long NHS waiting lists are causing more parents to seek private paediatric orthodontics to get their child the treatment they need.
While orthodontics are free on the NHS for those under the age of 18 with a clear medical need, long waiting lists have meant that your child could be waiting for as long as two years for treatment. In this time, teeth can continue to shift and orthodontic problems can get worse.
It is also recommended that children receive orthodontic treatment around the age of 12 or 13 as this is when they have a full set of adult teeth, however their jaw and mouth are still developing. As such, treatment during this stage can often be more effective.
However if you’re having to wait months or years to get free NHS orthodontic treatment, issues such as overcrowding or crooked teeth can lead to reduced confidence and discomfort for your child.
At Lume Dental, we have extensive experience in private paediatric orthodontics, allowing your child to receive timely treatment in a calm and supportive environment. We make every child feel comfortable from the moment they step into the clinic, allowing them to have happy, healthy smiles. If your child needs early support or braces to guide their adult teeth, we make the experience feel positive and worry-free.
What Is Private Paediatric Orthodontics?
Private paediatric orthodontics allows your child to receive orthodontic treatment through a private dental clinic rather than the NHS. This means avoiding the long NHS waiting lists and accessing treatment much sooner (usually either immediately or within a few weeks).
Private practices also offer more flexible appointment times, including late evenings and weekends so it’s easier to fit treatment around school and work. Private orthodontic treatment is still carried out by fully qualified and registered dental professionals giving you peace of mind.
By choosing to go private, your child can access orthodontic treatment more quickly so that problems such as overcrowding or crooked teeth don’t lead to bigger issues.
Explore Paediatric Orthodontics
What Are the Benefits of Private Paediatric Orthodontics?
When choosing between NHS paediatric orthodontics or private paediatric orthodontics, you’ll no doubt have questions around the benefits, costs, and convenience. Whilst accessing treatment quickly is the biggest benefit, below are some other reasons to consider a private route.
Choose a clinic you trust
When choosing the right orthodontist for your child, find a clinic you feel you can trust. By researching clinics beforehand, you can check out their website, read reviews, explore treatment options, and view before-and-after results.
At Lume Dental, we want everyone that walks through our clinic doors to feel comfortable and informed. That’s why we display detailed information on our site, along with patient reviews, helping you learn about the experience of others. You can read more Google reviews here.
“Absolutely amazing experience right from the start. Talked me through my daughter’s journey of having braces fitted. Rosh always makes my daughter feel at ease and explains everything she is doing.in detail. There was such a big waiting list on the NHS and it would have taken twice as long to correct her teeth than it has been going private. At lume dentist, the braces are tightened and adjusted every 4 weeks, whereas the nhs is every 3 months making the process so much longer. I was also astonishingly surprised and amazed at how reasonable the price was to go private.”
More flexible eligibility
Free orthodontic treatment on the NHS is only available to children under the age of 18 who have a medical need. Individuals are assessed by an orthodontist using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), which measures functional health and aesthetic concerns.
If you are grade 4 and grade 5 on the scale, you qualify for NHS treatment. Grade 3 cases are usually judged on an individual basis. NHS treatment may also be available if the appearance of your teeth, jaw or face is of concern.
In contrast, private paediatric orthodontics is open to everyone regardless of the severity of their concerns. This means your child can receive treatment earlier and address issues that may affect their confidence or long-term dental health without needing to qualify through the NHS.
More appointment times
When receiving treatment on the NHS, you’re limited by certain appointment days or times – often during the school / work day. This means taking time out of your usual schedule to make the appointment or you might end up waiting even longer for a more convenient time.
When choosing private orthodontics, you’ll have more freedom to choose a time that suits you best, whether that’s on an evening or on a weekend.
This means you can have the initial appointment quicker and get started with treatment instead of being delayed in the process.
Improved aftercare
Private paediatric orthodontics can also provide a more personalised level of aftercare throughout your child’s treatment journey.
At Lume Dental, we offer more regular appointments with our clinicians, allowing your child’s progress to be monitored closely which can help treatment stay on track.
Also if your child experiences any issues such as a broken bracket, we offer review and emergency appointments when needed rather than having to wait.
Alongside this, our team provides on-demand support throughout treatment, so you can always reach out with questions. We want every child to feel comfortable and supported from their first appointment through to their final results.
Solve problems sooner
Having to wait on an NHS waiting list means your child cannot always access the treatment they need, when they need it. If they have issues such as the ones below, they can worsen the longer they are left:
- Overcrowded teeth
- Crooked or misaligned teeth
- Bite problems (such as overbites or underbites)
- Gaps between teeth
In contrast, choosing private paediatric orthodontics means your child can start treatment sooner, helping to prevent problems from worsening.
Early intervention can also make treatment simpler, and potentially shorter in the long run.
How Much Does Private Paediatric Orthodontics Cost?
The cost of private paediatric orthodontics varies depending on which clinic you choose and the type of treatment required, such as the complexity of your child’s case and the length of treatment needed.
At Lume, children’s fixed orthodontics start from £2,500.
We also offer options for you to spread the cost of your care as we want to make exceptional dentistry affordable and accessible to all.
We’ve teamed up with Tabeo to offer 0% finance and help spread the cost of treatment. Click the link to visit Tabeo for more information.
Choosing Between Clear Aligners or Traditional Braces
At Lume Dental, we offer a range of options designed to suit different cases while ensuring the best results.
- Clear Ceramic Braces – If your teen feels unsure about traditional braces, clear ceramic braces are more discreet. As they have tooth-coloured brackets and wires, they blend in with the natural teeth. Furthermore, they work just as well as metal braces.
- Fixed Metal Braces – Traditional metal braces are one of the most effective treatments for more complex orthodontic concerns. Whilst people used to feel self-conscious about wearing them, modern designs are smaller and more comfortable.
- Clear Aligners – Clear aligners offer a removable and discreet alternative to fixed braces. They can also be taken out for eating and brushing which is perfect for children and teens.
Private Paediatric Orthodontics FAQs
Are clear aligners or traditional braces better?
Choosing between clear aligners and traditional braces depends on your child’s individual needs. Clear aligners can be a great choice if your child’s orthodontic issues are mild to moderate. However traditional braces are generally more effective for complex cases involving significant crowding or bite issues.
What’s the difference between metal braces and ceramic braces?
Metal braces use stainless steel brackets and wires and are one of the most effective treatments available for more complex cases. They’re often the most cost-effective fixed option.
Ceramic braces on the other hand work in the same way, but use tooth-coloured or clear brackets that blend in with the natural teeth. This makes them more discreet which can be a benefit to children or teens who feel self-conscious.
Private Paediatric Orthodontics: How to Avoid Long NHS Waiting Lists
Private paediatric orthodontics is a great alternative to long NHS waiting lists which can span years in some areas of the UK. Instead of waiting for your child to receive important orthodontic treatment, and potentially risking issues getting worse, private paediatric orthodontics means they can be seen (and treated) almost immediately.
Feeling self-conscious about their smile is one thing, but gum and teeth issues are another, as untreated orthodontic problems can impact long-term oral health, including difficulty cleaning teeth properly and increased risk of decay. By choosing a private orthodontist, you’re essentially fast tracking your child to enjoying a healthy, happy smile.
The cost of private orthodontics might also be more affordable than you thought thanks to flexible payment plans like those offered at Lume. We will discuss all of this with you in a detailed one-to-one consultation where both you and your child can ask questions you might have. Book your consultation here and let’s get started.
