lindsay loo

Hi

my 14 year old daughter is due to have braces here in the UK fairly soon. Treatment will take about 2 years. We are moving to NZ in about 18 months so does anyone know -
1) Is orthodontic treatment similar to here?
2) Do you have to pay for it?
3) Is there a waiting list like here?

To be on the NHS waiting list here she will have to wait 15 months.
To go private with no waiting list we will have to pay about £150 per month (not good when we are trying to save some money for the move!)

Thanks, Lindsay

CCGM.IN.NZ

Hi Lindsay, unfortunately we do have to pay for orthodontic treatment. My 14 yr old needs braces. I am being quoted $6000 - $7000 for two years treatment. Some orthodontists have a short waiting list (one of our local ones isnt available till October), some though you can get appointments straight away.

lindsay loo

Hi Thanks for that. we are coming to Auckland too so maybe see you there next year! I take it there is no free orthodontic treatment then, is it all private? At the moment we have the choice here, but if we have to pay there too there is no point in waiting til we get to NZ

BEVS

Yes. You will have to pay. Braces for our friends son came in at $6000 & they shopped around for that price.

hjmilligan

Yes my daughter has just had treatment cost were $6200 for two years but you can pay it monthly interest free

Helen

Browner_

You have to pay for all dentist and orthodontist work here, unless you have your teeth knocked out in a car crash.

And you have to pay $50 or more to visit your doctor too, unless you are a young child.

pixi-dust

I only pay $15 for a doctors visit, I think it varies from area to area.

If you are on a very low income ( I don't know the amount, sorry just that it's low!) there's WINZ ( is that how you spell it?) you can get a quote from your dentist and they pay some of it.

CCGM.IN.NZ

Children upto the age of 18 can get free basic dental treatment (check ups, fillings). Not sure if all dentists do this but mine certainly does.

TeamEmbo

Our doctor charges $20. Never had to use the dentist here yet. Kids get free check ups at school via school dental service (primary age kids).

luvwelly

Older kids are also supposedly covered for free (not braces though) once they are too old for the School Dental Service but most private dentists (in Wellington anyway) choose not to operate the scheme.

My medical doctor charges $32 per visit adult or child (we don't have PR)

minky

Our dentist operates the free child scheme and is very good with the boys we will will have to pay for the orthodontic treatment next year.
I have just had my first real illness here in nearly two years got a same day appointment with no problem felt looked after cost of visit $38 and $12 for 3 meds.

BEVS

Our GP fees are $35 a visit . The nurse is $15.

Husbands recent unavoidable extra dental treatment came in at $800 -

Prescription charges vary.

lindsay loo

Thanks everyone for your replies. I guess we should pay and start treatment here as it will be a similar cost. Our dear daughter has still got 2 baby teeth to come out first. She is refusing to let the dentist take them out so I must go and check that she is trying herself. Maybe some Thorntons Special toffee will do the trick!! Byeeeeeeeee

Kiwiprincess

For high school kids, their school should have a list of dentists in the area who are willing to take high schoolers free. Maybe it is something that is more prevalent in the burbs of wellington than in the city though?