Orthodontist threatening to charge £3000 for my sons treatment

[Tommo1403]

Hi, my son (18) is receiving NHS Orthodontist treatment for his teeth and has braces. He is over 12 months into this, and has broken his brace twice.* The receptionist told us they have a three strike policy and that if they break more than that that, they will either have to stop treatment or I have to pay £3000. This seems massively excessive, I can understand having to pay per treatment, but not that sum of money.*
Can they legally do this?* or is this a scaring tactic to make sure he is more careful when eating?
Thanks,
Dave
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[des8]

https://www.bos.org.uk/Public-Patien...-NHS-treatment

Quote: The only exception is the charge for replacement of removable appliances lost or damaged beyond repair. This currently is £70.10 for a replacement appliance. In the case of replacement Twin Block appliances the price increases to £140.20. In general, most orthodontic problems qualify for NHS treatment apart from minor irregularities, (assuming that the patient is otherwise in good dental health). There are clear criteria about who qualifies.

The NHS contract for orthodontics funds all appliances, adjustments and repairs required during the entire treatment. The practitioner is free to choose whatever technique and appliance s/he wishes within these requirements. S/he is not under an obligation to use or offer any particular appliance. It is not permitted to charge patients under the age of 18 for an appliance or any part of the treatment, nor to insist that part of the treatment is undertaken privately before acceptance as an NHS patient. To do so is, in effect, asking to be paid twice. Any such practice is a serious breach of NHS regulations which renders the orthodontist liable to disciplinary action if reported to the local NHS Commissioning Team or the General Dental Council.
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