Both my kids needed braces. One has a crossbite and the other crooked teeth. I wasn’t prepared for the expense as neither my partner nor I had orthodontics. I soon discovered that if your kids need orthodontics, expect big bills. Prices vary from $6000 to $9500, depending on a range of factors, according to Robert Schwartz, specialist orthodontist and spokesperson for Orthodontics Australia.
He estimates about 300,000 Australians have braces or aligners and about 75% of them are in the mouths of 225,000 children.
What can you do to save money on orthodontics?
Start early. Having orthodontics isn’t an emergency medical procedure, but it is hard to put it off because there is strong evidence that a delay in straightening out crooked teeth will cause problems later, which could be more expensive – and perhaps more painful– to fix.
Orthodontists will tell you that straight teeth are important for self-esteem and confidence. Your dentist will typically give their view on whether your kids need orthodontics when they are around eight to 10 years old, says Schwartz. Some problems could be treated right away but others could be further down the track, allowing you to save up for them.
Private health insurance
Check with your private health insurer to see how much you get back for orthodontic work. The more you pay for health insurance extras the more likely you are able to claim money back for orthodontics. It isn’t available with a basic insurance (extras) plan but it is in plans with special features.
Denne historien er fra June 2021-utgaven av Money Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 2021-utgaven av Money Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
An outrageous, beautiful monopoly
Telstra's mobile business is a cash machine with few competitors, giving it the highest returns in the world.
Drop the anchor to judge value
Buying and selling decisions should be based on where a stock price is going, not where it has been.
Powering the AI boom
Beyond the software and chipmakers, where will the energy come from?
Get into life
Tucked inside super are products that can protect you from life's inevitable uncertainties.
Paths to home ownership
Taking the road less travelled can sometimes deliver unexpected benefits.
Sold! Quick ways to add value
Small, strategic changes can have a big impact on the look and feel of your home. And get you a better price on auction day.
Money lessons the kids need to know
Your children can learn a lot from your past money mishaps. Here are eight financial conversations I have had with mine.
Property-investing rules: are they likely to change?
The pressure for the government to curb the tax benefits of tax concessions, such as negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, is unrelenting. Most recently, independent senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie proposed five options for paring back investment property tax concessions, with savings to the Federal budget of up to $60 billion over the next decade.
What's love got to do with it?
A rollercoaster of emotions could be driving poor crypto behaviour.
Are we ready to be cash-free?
Saying goodbye to our piggy banks too soon could leave small businesses in the dark when problems arise.
