How to cover the cost of braces in the UK
Dental costs can quickly rise when you’re paying for your own treatment.
That is especially true if you’re opting for braces or if you’ve been advised to get them as an adult.
You can go private to do this, but the costs can be high. Here we break down exactly how much this could cost you and if there’s any support available.
How much do braces cost?
The pricing of braces all totally depends on what kind you opt for and how you want to pay for it.
Dental treatment in the UK – even without paying for braces – can be pricey.
There are some treatments available on the NHS, however there is certain eligibility for this.
You can also go private. This can be in the form of paying for metal braces or invisible aligners.
On the NHS
If you get braces as a child or as a teenager, this is generally free. People under 18 in the UK don’t pay for their braces.
But if you’re an adult and you’d like to get braces, you’ll likely have to pay. You can get braces on the NHS if they are needed for health reasons. Your dentist can give you more information on this.
Private treatment
Private costs for braces can vary depending on a number of factors. The type of brace you opt for and where you might get treated can influence how much the cost will be.
A set of fixed metal braces for your child will set you back as much as £4,285 in the South East of England, making it the most expensive region for orthodontic treatment, research by Intuit Credit Karma reveals.
The South West proves the second most expensive region for braces, at £3,757, while Scotland is only marginally cheaper at £3,726.
Meanwhile, in the East of England and Wales, braces will cost around £3,415 and £3,246 on average.
Those in some parts of London can expect to pay just £2,368 for a course of braces, which Intuit said reflects the number of options available in the city.
However, according to Emma Laing, an Orthodontic specialist, the cost of braces in Central London is more likely to be around £5,500.
According to the NHS, the bill for braces with a private dentist can range between £2,000 and £6,000.
How to pay for braces
If you missed the chance of getting braces when you were a teenager and are considering getting them as an adult now, there is still support available if you can’t afford this.
Payment plans
Private dentists often offer some sort of flexible payment plan so that you don’t have to pay one large cost that can be difficult to afford.
There are credit plans available to spread the cost of dental work. This can mean you pay a certain amount every month.
The amount you will have to repay and the deadline for when you must have paid will vary from dentist to dentist.
Dental insurance
Dental insurance policies usually don’t cover cosmetic procedures but some providers may cover the cost of orthodontic treatment if it’s medically necessary.
Self insure
If you’re seriously interested about self-funding braces, you could put away a small amount a month.
Self insurance can cover the cost of dental treatment if you put in a proper savings plan. It can even be a small amount you save each month.
It may take some time to build up a big enough pot to cover more expensive procedures like braces, but if you’re paying for it in one go then you don’t have to worry about future costs as much.
Pay on credit
If you have a credit card, there is also the option to pay for it using that. Personal loans can also help cover the cost.
Crowdfunding
Another great way to pay for braces is through crowdfunding. Many people choose to do this and it can be a great and quick way to pay for orthodontics like braces.
It couldn’t be easier to get set up. GoFundMe is a custom-build platform for crowdfunding and it’s free to start your fundraiser. All you need to do is think of a snappy title, upload your fundraiser story and set the page live to see the donations rolling in.
Work benefits
Some employers in the UK also offer support for medical and dental costs. Some employers enrol their employees in private health insurance plans, which may help cover the cost.
It could be well worth checking to see if your work is able to offer this.
See how others are using crowdfunding to help fund orthodontic treatment
More and more people are crowdfunding to pay for dental care these days.
If you’re stuck where to get started, or don’t know how to go about describing why you want to pay for dental care, you can take a look at these fundraisers for inspiration.
Jen Markey’s Braces and Help With Surgery Recovery
Jennifer Markey said as she approached her 50s, she was getting to the point where she needed braces for medical reasons.
The costs she was quoted for getting treatment for this in the US were high.
Jennifer described exactly what care she needed and why this was now becoming difficult to live with. She managed to smash her target goal and was able to pay for her brace.
Krystal needs braces
Tammy fundraised on behalf of her 15-year-old daughter, Krystal, who needed braces in America.
Like Jennifer, she was quoted high treatment prices.
Krystal was at risk of losing her two front teeth, but mum Tammy was able to raise funds to put towards emergency care.
Braces for Felix
Elizabeth Smith was also fundraising to pay for braces for her child, Felix. She said she already had high medical bills to pay for already, so the costs of braces would be something else for the family to afford.
Thanks to crowdfunding, she was able to raise an additional $6,000.
Raise money to cover the cost of braces
It can be intimidating when looking to get private medical care. If you’re not sure where to start, the costs can be confusing at first.
Paying for braces and dental health care is something more and more Brits are doing nowadays.
It can be expensive to self-fund braces, but there are lots of options out there to support you.
Get started on your crowdfunding campaign today.