Ozzidoc

I didn't mean to offend you.

It was the comments along the lines of...what if he gets hit by a bus halfway through......now I'll never get a newish car...I hope he realises that (the braces) cost more than my (old) car.....

The price for braces was $2500 26 yrs ago so they are much more affordable now. I actually dont think that 5K is expensive or difficult to find, which probably does offend you. (But I am the kind of person who finds a 2nd, 3rd even 4th income and doesn't buy any new clothes at all for myself if necessary)

ub40fan

My son had the spacers fitted for his braces on Wednesday. We knew he needed it and had some teeth out in UK as prep for it. (They were his baby teeth that just weren't shifting - he was 12 at the time)

It is costing over 5k, which is a lot of money and we claim 65% back. There is so much more I could do with that 5k, but I guess not having an overbite like I have is better than the plans I had for it!

We had a choice of 4 payment plans too.

I would definitely shop around to see what else you can get.

ub40fan

I think that actually depends on how many mouths you have to feed and how much month you have left at the end of your money!

To a millionaire 5k is loose change, to me who earns very little and some weeks nothing it is an awful lot.

It does sound rather like you are judging peoples attitudes towards money, when you have enough it is easier to say 5k isn't hard to find, when you struggle to make ends meet it is soo much more dificult.

breezeboylan

My daughter is under an orthodontist and will need lots of treatment, she has had to have treatment costing $1000 BEFORE she has the braces fitted which will cost another $5-6k. We are able to spread the cost monthly and the orthodontist is fantastic with her, a really good bloke. He is in Ocean reef if thats any good to you, His names Dr Jeremy Chin phone 92494250.
Tracie

Ozzidoc

I am not judging anyone. Again, I apologise if that seems to be the case.

I'm in my 6th year of full-time study. I know what it is like to have no regular income.

JenniGee

My eldest (12) is about to have her brace fitted next month. The impressions have already been done & I'm looking at a bill of over £3000 over the next 2 years. I have to make a down-payment of £550 & the rest will be spread monthly.

I did look at postponing the treatment, because I researched orthodontists in Melbourne & got quotes of between $3000-5000, which is quite a big saving. However, because it looks like we could be kicking our heels back in Kent for quite a bit longer, we've decided to start the treatment here & see what happens if we happen to strike lucky with the visa

As someone else says though - straight teeth is so much more than just cosmetic

WelshRanger

This is typical of Aussie dentists, it's a ripoff, most Aussies don't go to them unless it's an emergency, they view them the same as second hand car salesmen.

quoll

You may find that your No 4 child will actually get some support (free I think) from the local cranio facial unit - I assume Perth would probably have one, check out your biggest hospital and ask them. I know that there is a top level clinic in Melbourne which has helped a relative of mine with orthodontic intervention.

As for your quote - it seems ball park to me. Usually they do offer an instalments plan but if you pay up front there is usually a discount. Paying that much will take you over the threshold for medical expenses for the year and so you should get some back at tax time.

Dazza49

Hi,
I strongly recommend that you go to a few dentists and get prices as you will be surprised what the difference will be. I have a friend who's Son fell off his bicycle and broke a few teeth and jaw. He had a quote from dentists near where he lives and they quoted $2000 so he went and got a quote from another dentists near where his parents work and for the same treatment they quoted $900. If you do decide to stay with your dentist, i would also ask them that you would prefer to pay for the treatment as you go along!. Goodluck anyway.

Ally

@boy

Price sounds quite normal but my understanding was a lot of these places will work out a payment plan with you.
Usually along the lines of a 25% deposit and the balance in monthly instalments over 1.5 to 2 years for example.

bluejohn

I am really surprised that they want all the money up front, we paid ours off with the dentist over 2 years. It is an awful lot of money, you sound fairly new to Australia maybe he thinks you are going to disappear without paying. It does seem a bit over the top though.

galba

I would ask before you make any appointments with an orthodonist if they have payment plans available. There is no point getting another opinion if they will make you pay upfront too.

We used Greg Brudenell 9300 2044

He's in the CBD, Claremont, Floreat and Joondalup. We tend to go to any of the offices dependent on when we can get an appointment with him. I take my son at lunchtime as it's fairly easy to get appointments then.

Galba

northernbird

Another recommendation from us for his practice too, my daughter had a removable plate made and fitted by them and they are very good.

jad n rich

$5000 is nothing unusual, quite minor I would say, however paying up front seems less usual, an installment plan is usually worked out by dentists, pity surgeons and specialists dont do that, they wont let you leave without payment!

We have just found out son 3 needs grommets, very hard to find out what its going to cost, rang the specialist, rang the hospital, rang the medical fund, but its day surgery in a hospital cant see any change out of $5000.

Hes got a small reparied cleft palate, so we should be covered on medicare but the wait will be years so its a private job even then we cant get into the specialist till june 16. Medibank private have gestimated that we will get most of it back, by going thorought various gap procedures, using thier associates etc, but I reckon we will still get bills. But you cant play with a kids hearing by placing them on a waiting list for years, thank gawd we have private cover.

Nu-Shooz

I got a quote for 10grand for both my kids to have braces. Just couldn't afford it, so they have to keep their wonky teeth. Well, daughter went back to UK and got free treatment, so she will be ok.