Your first visit
For health service (NHS) patients: what happens at your records appointment, and afterwards.
For health service (NHS) patients. This page covers the first visit for patients referred to us for health service (NHS) orthodontic treatment.
What we do at your records appointment
At this appointment you will normally see one of our orthodontic nurses, who takes your records: a 3D digital scan of your teeth and some photographs. Afterwards, the orthodontist (a dentist who specialises in straightening teeth) reviews them to plan your care. You do not usually meet the orthodontist at this visit.
Want to meet the orthodontist sooner? A Rapid Teen Assessment brings both appointments together – your records and your treatment planning appointment – in a single visit.
A 3D digital scan of your teeth
This is known as an intraoral scan. A small camera wand is moved around your mouth, taking lots of pictures very quickly and joining them into a digital copy of your teeth on a computer. So there is no need for messy putty impressions.
Photographs
We photograph your teeth and face. The photos help the orthodontist see how your teeth and bite fit together.
Your scan and photos are stored safely and confidentially as part of your health record.
Nervous children and additional needs
If your child gets anxious or finds new sensations difficult, tell us when you book. We can let them see the instruments first, explain every step and go at their own pace. Ask your clinician during your appointment if anything would help.
What happens next
- Your scan and photos are carefully reviewed by the orthodontist.
- We will contact you within 12 weeks to tell you what we found and what happens next.
- There is no need to contact us before then unless something changes (if you move house or get a new phone number, for example).
Possible outcomes
What happens next depends on two things:
1. Are you eligible for health service funded braces? The health service (NHS) only pays for braces when teeth are significantly out of position. The orthodontist decides this with a national scoring system called IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need). If your teeth need treatment less, your need may be too mild to qualify, and you may be able to choose private (paid-for) treatment instead.
2. Are you ready to start? Some patients are ready to think about treatment now. Others still have adult teeth to come through, and if so it is usually better to wait – we will arrange to see you again in a year or two.
| Funding | Ready to think about starting now | Adult teeth still to come through |
|---|---|---|
| Can have health service (NHS) funded braces | We will explain your treatment and the next steps. This may mean joining a waiting list. | We will book to see you again in a year or two, when more of your adult teeth are through. |
| Need too mild to qualify for health service (NHS) funding | If you are interested, we can tell you about private treatment options. Private treatment has no waiting list, and you do not have to go ahead with treatment. | We may suggest waiting for your adult teeth to come through before discussing any options. |
Whatever the result, we will explain it clearly and you can ask any questions you have.
While you wait
- Keep brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste – last thing at night and at one other time.
- After brushing, spit out but do not rinse with water, so the fluoride stays on your teeth to protect them.
- Try to keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes.
- Keep seeing your regular dentist for check-ups.
- There is nothing else you need to do.
Not heard from us within 12 weeks? Please call us on 028 3870 2623 or email heathwoodhouse@djmaguiredentists.co.uk. Please have your name and date of birth to hand.
Before treatment starts we will ask you to sign a consent form. Please read our risks and benefits of orthodontic treatment leaflet (PDF) beforehand, and ask your clinician during your appointment if anything is not clear.
Download
Questions about your treatment?
Our team in Portadown is always happy to help. Ring us on 028 3870 2623 or drop us an email.