Orthodontic shock, advice welcome!!

[Carltoncraft]

I'll try and cut a long story short - took 14 year old to orthodontist today who has outlined a new treatment plan (he currently has braces on from the uk, apparently not great work either) basically we need to find $6300 from somewhere to cover his treatment. He also will need surgery in hospital to remove three teeth growing from the roof of his mouth (cringes) which could possibly be up to another $2000. As i'm sure most of you know the waiting period on private rebates with most health insurers is 12 months, we've only been here 3. Obviously majorly stressed with this issue. If anyone knows ANYTHING that may help me out??

This is just one thing in a long line of stuff thats dampening our Aussie spirits.

[The Pom Queen]

We have just visited one for my son, a lot of them do payment plans, ok it doesn't mean you still don't have thousands to pay but it does help. Also would it be worth going to see another one as you seem to get mixed reviews, our school dentist said the little one needed braces asap, the orthodontic doesn't think so just yet but maybe in another year.

[Paul1Perth]

You can pay for the orthodontist over the period of the treatment. A bit like having another mortgage but you get there in the end. Both ours had to have braces for years, youngest one still has them on and we are still paying.
Save all your dentistry and medical bills for the whole family for everything. You will find you can claim anything over $2000 (I think, could be wrong on the figure) against your tax. Get a good accountant when tax time comes. It costs a fair bit for each consultation every year but ours has more than paid for himself over the years. They know so many things you can claim for that you would never even think about, makes a big difference.

Let's face it, your youngster would have needed the work doing whether you had emigrated or stayed in the UK, so nothing different there. What is it with kids needing braces these days? Neither me or the missus had braces and very few kids I knew had them when growing up. It was a bit of a disaster if you had them mind you. Talk about taking the micky. At least now nearly everyone has them so you don't get the P*** taken out of you.

[surflen22]

I would definitely suggest a second opinion. I went to a dentist recently who told me I needed 6 fillings. I was last at the dentist 12 months ago and had no issues. I went for a second opinion and was basically told the first dentist was just trying to make some money out of me and at absolute worst, I needed 2 fillings and neither was urgent.

[Carltoncraft]

Good advice on the tax part, I reckon I did read the Minimum was $2000 somewhere...

Totally with you on the braces thing, must keep an eye on the other 10 year old, if she needs them I'll be getting my husband to construct something out of wood, well he is a carpenter

[GreatToBeBritish]

I needed a tooth removed. My dentist tried but could not do it. I had full health insurance then including dental extras. To cut a long story short, I had to go to a dental hospital as day case to get the extraction. I was in there for 3 hours in total in and out. This cost me $5k!!!! I have only just paid it off my cc. I have no idea why this was not covered on my policy. Dentist blaming health insurance and vice versa. I promptly cancelled my insurance. Big con :-(

[Carltoncraft]

Oh man, not just me feeling a total sense of injustice then