Any healthcare card provisions for braces?

[rebjm]

I know a 13 year old that desperately needs braces. His teeth are so bad there are foods he can't eat and he'd rather not eat at all because it is difficult chew.

His father is a sole parent and can't see how he can afford it. His aunty and uncle are thinking of taking out a loan but their finances are stretched to the limit too (one income, raising interest rates)..

I thought there should surely be some provision for someone that needs braces for health rather than cosmetics.`

[Lysianna]

I agree with you on that point.
Im in a similar situation with my youngest DD, not entirely sure she'll need braces yet but if she does I have no idea how we might pay for it.
Will be watching this thread (and googling if I get time/opportunity)

[Lysianna]

Well this is all I came up with for SA.

http://www.sadental.sa.gov.au/Deskto....aspx?tabid=34

Will have another looksie for something in qld!

[mammadyl]

You can (in victoria at least) go through the public system - dental hospital.

And some orthodontists will allow you to pay it off - which is in the end what I did as I needed the work done sooner rather than later and thankfully found a sympathetic ortho who could see the pain I was in, and the financial hardship as well.

hth

[Lysianna]

Is this helpful at all? Theres at least a phone number you can call and make enquiries...

Overview

Queensland Health Oral Health Services provides a wide range of dental services to eligible patients within the Townsville Health Service District and residents of other Queensland Districts. Patients must hold a Queensland Health Care Card, Pension Concession Card, Queensland Seniors’ Card or a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. The Townsville service is provided by two delivery systems. The adult service operates from two dental clinics in Gregory Street, North Ward (formerly the Mental Health building at the old Townsville General Hospital) and at Kirwan, (formerly the Kirwan Hospital for Women). The School Dental Service provides services to school children from four years of age to year 10, utilising a number of mobile dental vans and fixed clinics at Schools throughout the District. The mobile vans and fixed clinics can be contacted by telephoning 4789 9900. Oral Health Services, North Ward is a referral centre for Orthodontic & Oral Surgical specialities. Complex general dental services including certain types of dentures and crowns are provided in specific cases, with the approval of the Director of Oral Health Services/Principal Dental Officer. Treatment under general anaesthesia is also available.

[rebjm]

Thanks. Found a bit of info for Sydney Dental Hospital.

[Georgie]

I know someone who has braces and is getting orthognathic surgery through the public system in NSW ... will try to find out more for you.

I can imagine how the poor boy feels, my teeth were awfully dysfunctional before I got braces at 23 (and was supposed to have the surgery but am getting another baby instead, heh).

[Georgie]

OK, Sydney Dental Hospital is the one she went through. She got a referral from a private orthodontist whom she saw for an opinion (apparently she qualified on both income grounds and the 'state' of her teeth, so they obviously have certain criteria to meet). Although she says one may be able to get a referral from any doctor.

It took a while to get through the process, of course, but she said months rather than years, so that's not too bad (took me ages to get anywhere through all my private specialists too, heh, so it's just a slow process).

[rebjm]

Thanks Georgie. I've passed on info and will keep fingers crossed for him. He is lucky he has a proactive uncle and aunt.