An Auckland family’s painful experience is highlighting the risks of seeking cheaper orthodontic treatment from unqualified providers, and prompting fresh warnings that families must weigh the cost of braces against the qualifications of those providing them.
A 12-year-old girl is now facing invasive jaw-advancement surgery after braces were fitted by a general dentist who was not a registered orthodontic specialist. The case has resulted in formal findings of multiple breaches of healthcare rights and raises wider concerns about misleading marketing and a lack of informed consent.
The girl’s treatment began in 2014, when her mother, under the impression the dentist was an orthodontist, agreed to a proposed plan involving braces. Treatment continued for two years, ending in 2016 with a retainer, but the family was never referred to a specialist for further assessment. Over time, problems began to emerge, and in 2019, the family sought a second opinion.
A specialist orthodontist found severe complications. Eight of the girl’s teeth showed significant root resorption, with two teeth now severely compromised and at risk of loss. The examination also revealed ongoing bite problems that will require new upper and lower braces, as well as complex jaw-advancement surgery involving a maxillofacial surgeon. The family now faces a lengthy and costly path to restore their daughter’s oral health.
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Dr Vanessa Caldwell found that the dentist had acted outside his level of competence and failed to meet multiple obligations under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights. Crucially, consent was obtained on the very first day of treatment, leaving the family with little time to properly consider the risks. Clinical records were found to be poor, hindering future review and continuity of care. The dentist also failed to recognise the limitations of his expertise and neglected to refer the patient to an orthodontist at an early stage.
Dr Caldwell ruled that the dentist must issue a written apology, undergo an independent peer audit of his record-keeping, and improve his informed consent processes.
The case raises wider questions about the increasing trend of general dentists offering orthodontic treatments such as braces and aligners without completing specialist training. While general dentists typically undertake around 80 hours of orthodontic instruction during their education, fully qualified orthodontists complete approximately 5,000 hours of additional specialist training. That difference in expertise can mean the difference between a safe, effective outcome and long-term dental harm.
Families exploring treatment options must look beyond pricing alone. While a quick search for cost of braces may yield attractive offers from general dental clinics, experts caution that lower upfront costs can mask future risks. The financial savings can quickly be erased if complex corrective work or surgical intervention is required due to poor treatment.
For this Auckland family, the initial choice now carries consequences that no amount of savings could justify. The mother told media she would never have agreed to treatment had she understood the dentist was not a specialist. Her daughter, facing years of additional treatment and surgery, is living with the consequences of an experience that could have been avoided.
As demand for orthodontic treatment grows, families are being urged to verify practitioners’ credentials and ask detailed questions about their training and experience. The Dental Council of New Zealand’s public register allows patients to check whether a provider is a registered orthodontist.
This case stands as a sobering reminder that when it comes to the cost of braces Auckland families should consider not only what they pay up front, but who they trust with their child’s care.
References
Health and Disability Commissioner (2024). Decision on complaint involving orthodontic treatment by general dentist.
NZ Herald (2024). Jaw-advancement surgery required after braces fitted by untrained dentist.
1News (2024). Girl needs surgery after braces fitted by untrained dentist.
