Braces: My Views
Braces; every teenager’s worst nightmare, right? Wrong!
Braces are not my worst nightmare, not even my nightmare. In fact they’re my dream. Growing up, I’ve never liked my teeth. They have been a constant point of insecurity for me and although I don’t want this to be a sob story, I can honestly say that because of my teeth, I often feel uncomfortable in photos, shy when speaking to new people and desperate for my own pair of braces.
Recently I found out (from the BBC Northern Ireland web site) that the Department of Health is considering asking parents to foot the bill for their children’s braces. This means that for some families the minimum cost would be around £2,000. In my mind during this tough economic time, £2,000 is a big ask, regardless of how rich your family is. I also think that for some families, this sum is simply an impossible ask. I can’t imagine the stress this would put families under and the last thing families need is extra stress or getting into debt they can’t afford.
The minister for health has proposed modifying the current grading system, meaning that while the England you would have to be grade 3 to qualify for free braces, here if the minister does go ahead with his proposals, here you would need to be grade 4, which doesn’t seem fair to me.
The thing that angered me most while researching this piece is the suggestion that braces are ‘cosmetic’. Although I do feel that my teeth would look better in the long run, the deeper effects on my confidence would set me up for future photo opportunities, meet-ups with new people and maybe even career prospects for the future.
Kathy also wrote Why I travel 16 miles for WIMPS.
ShauneenL told her story Dealing with Teenage Acne.
See other Mind and Body stories here.
Take Action
Who you can contact
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Edwin Poots MLA
MLA for Lagan Valley.
Edwin Poots is currently Minister for Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
