I understand your concern for your daughter's dental health. Unfortunately, the eligibility criteria for NHS braces can vary between orthodontists. However, there are some private orthodontic practices in London that offer consultation without a referral from a dentist. You could consider reaching out to them and asking about their process. Additionally, you can also check with your local NHS Trust to see if they can provide any information or guidance on alternative options. You could also take do I need braces quiz before making a final decision

Hello,
I’m not sure how to direct message you on here, but this is my email address:

cleo.darwish@together.dental

I can let you know your options
X

Hi Cleo
I’m having the same issue and my daughter has been refused twice at the same place. Can we book an nhs consultation with u ?
Many thanks
Hi

Your dentist shouldn’t refuse to refer you somewhere else, they can’t be the gate keeper. You are entitled to a second opinion. Be firm and say you need a second opinion and therefore please refer you to your preferred orthodontist. Good luck x

Hi
How did you self refer to orchard orthodontist
I contacted them and they asked for a referral from the dentist
But they refused to refer me
Lmk how you self referred

Hello,
I’m an orthodontist, I work at Together Dental Clapham privately , Wimbledon Orthodontics and Confidental Clinic Surbiton both NHS & Private. I would be happy to help and give you an honest opinion . The NHS criteria is the same for all NHS practices but the borderline aspect is quite subjective.
You can contact any of the practices and ask to book an appointment with Cleopatra Darwish, I don’t need a referral necessarily.

My child is currently being treated as an NHS patient at Orchard Orthodontics in Brixton. Not really sure on what criteria they qualified for free treatment except teeth were pretty terrible!
I’d give them a try just in case as they’re very efficient and all very kind.

I had exactly the same experience with my daughter and after three referrals I took the plunge and went privately, because the window of opportunity to get it fixed easily while she was still growing was getting smaller by the day. She was literally 1mm off being eligible for NHS treatment. She is being treated at The Dentist in Balham and I can highly recommend them. My son was eligible for NHS treatment as his bite was so badly aligned, and he is being treated at Wimbledon Orthodontics - again I can highly recommend them.

I think that we were able to self refer to Orchard Orthodontics in Brixton who were very helpful for my daughter, but she had already been told by Wimbledon Orthodontics that she wouldn’t be eligible on the NHS and they confirmed that. When I was doing the rounds trying to work out a treatment plan for her we did also visit the Battersea Rise orthodontic place and I definitely wouldn’t recommend it - the consultation was very rushed and not explained properly - they just wanted to take our money and treat each child like it was going through a factory!

Orchard orthodontics in Brixton are fantastic.
Both my sons go there. They have a verity of optio s too, from the invisible braces to the old school metal ones.

Orchard orthodontics in Brixton are fantastic.
Both my sons go there. They have a verity of optio s too, from the invisible braces to the old school metal ones.

We are the same, a very borderline requirement re overbite that is the difference between £4500 and NHS. We self-referred to White & Co on Battersea Rise - but are having to pay; an expensive debated millimetre. We were originally referred to the Orthodontic Practice on Battersea Rise by our dentist but were quite disturbed by how we were treated there - including the orthodontist Dr Sam pulling an only slightly wobbly tooth out from my son's mouth with absolutely no warning to either of us at our assessment meeting which was completely out of order. He just grabbed his tool and pulled it straight out - blood everywhere and my son was hysterical afterwards. I was so shocked I was speechless and should have complained at the time. I certainly would not recommend them at all.  

I am pretty sure that you do need a referral but have you tried calling around? Maybe some orthos slightly further out of town - earlsfield, tooting or colliers wood might be able to help or happy to see her if they are less busy.

Hi there
I’ve got a daughter who has been to the same orthodontist twice to see if she is eligible for nhs braces. Both times she’s been refused them as she is not elegible but borderline .She has difficulty cleaning her teeth as they are so wonky and sometimes she complains of pain due to the crowding . We’ve been to the dentist to ask for a referral again to another orthodntist but they have refused but I think she may be accepted at some places. I would like to know if there are any orthodntists in London who will do a consultation for nhs braces without a referral from the dentist and if anyone has had a similar experience. Cheers!