ANGRY mum Joan Morris had little to smile about after learning her daughter's brace was going to cost a staggering £1,200 under tough new NHS rules.

Eleanor, 10, was referred to an orthodontist to have a brace fitted to correct her crooked top teeth.

But new rules over who qualifies for free treatment will leave her parents facing a hefty bill.

Mrs Morris, of Fields Lane, Wistaston, said: 'Eleanor is on the NHS list at the Globe Dental Practice in Nantwich. She's very self-conscious about her teeth so they referred us on to Hightown Orthodontic Practice at Crewe.

'On our first visit we were told we would have to wait a few months for her baby teeth to come out.

'By the time we returned the orthodontist was operating under new rules.

'The basic cost of a brace is £1,200 and even though we were given the option of making interest-free monthly payments, it is still a huge amount.

'To make matters worse, if any of the wires snap there would be an additional charge of £45.

'I thought all treatment for children was free, but it seems not which is astonishing when we pay National Insurance.'

NHS orthodontic care for children under 18 is free, provided treatment is necessary.

On April 1 a new Dental Contract comes into force which places greater responsibility on dentists and orthodontists to decide who qualifies for free treatment.

Previously dentists would carry out treatment and claim the cost back from the NHS through the Dental Practice Board.

Chris Lowe, of Hightown Orthodontic Practice, said: 'Things are no longer so simple. Everything has to be based on a one to five scale of need.

'For example, a child with teeth sticking out 11mm would be in a high need category because of the risk to oral health. They could fall and break their teeth.

'The difficulty is dealing with children who have a mid-range need. You then have to consult the scale for cosmetic need.

'We are doing our best to ease the burden by offering a monthly instalment payment plan.'

Many dentists and orthodontists are concerned about the impact as fewer dentists offer free services.

Mrs Morris is taking up the matter with Crewe and Nantwich MP Gwyneth Dunwoody.

John Hilderstone, a spokesman at the British Dental Society, said: 'It all boils down to cost. Treat-ment has to be based on an index of need.

'Basic NHS treatments such as check-ups and fillings remain free for children but cosmetic treatments such as whitening and implants would need to be paid for.'