Moving and transferring during treatment.

It is undoubtedly preferable not to start treatment with one orthodontist and then to move on to another orthodontist in a different location. If you know you are about to move it is better to wait until you have arrived at your new location.

Every orthodontist has a favoured type of brace and treatment method, and cases from one practice may not fit in well with the routine of another practice. Most orthodontists would strongly prefer to treat a case all the way through and not have to step in part way through. Recent research shows that treatment takes an average of six months longer in transfer cases.

Patients who are moving to another location, should give the orthodontist as much notice as possible and ask him to find an orthodontist at the new location. Ask for a referral to the new orthodontist giving a history of the treatment so far. Ask for the study models and x-rays to be sent on or to be given to you to take with you to the new orthodontist.

The BOS provide a transfer form for members on the BOS website.

To find an orthodontist at your new location go to http://www.bos.org.uk/aboutorthodontics/findanorthodontist/

Under the new NHS contract, since 1st April 2006 there has been no official obstacle to changing orthodontists. Orthodontists with NHS contracts can accept an NHS patient who has moved from another part of the country (or from overseas) and who is already under orthodontic treatment. The patient will count as a new NHS case start and is subject to the full payment for a new start, as long as they are over 10 and under 18 years of age at the time they are first seen by the new orthodontist.