NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Shannon Heckler is like a lot of parents in the mid state — with kids who typically would head to the orthodontist office for things like braces and retainers.
When a retainer would go missing, it's a problem that could usually be solved with another trip to the orthodontist, but COVID-19 has shut offices down except for emergencies to help give medical workers more access to PPEs.
Heckler worries about her kids’ dental care falling behind.
"I mean one set of braces per child is $5,000 and that’s a lot of money, and now you’re looking at children who’ve been without retainers and proper braces care," Heckler said.
Even without visits to the dentist or orthodontist, parents may still be getting billed for the contracted cost of things like braces. That was Heckler’s case, until she called the office.
She says its important for parents to know they can likely call their orthodontist office if COVID-19 has impacted their ability to pay, to work out different options to pay for things like braces, until the COVID-19 pandemic gets straightened out.
