Daylia,
There's certainly something in what you say. Because it's free, a few dentists and patients embark on treatment which they really shouldn't and which does more harm than good. The dentists gets the fee, the patient the treatment and the tax payer foots the bill! The same can be said of crowns and bridges. However, in the main the orthodontic treatment in the UK is of a high standard. But there's another side to the coin: leaving very badly aligned teeth can lead to decay and gum problems later in life.
Our eldest daughter, Emma, 12,has her dad's teeth - perfect, so that's one decision we won't have to make. The other two are too young yet to tell. Let's hope they haven't inherited thier mum's!
Janine