Good Lord.
Dad or girlfriend or whoever is posting, are the kid's teeth jacked up? That is easy to see, surely.
I agree with ecmst12, call the Ortho. But I am wiling to bet that when girlfriend's 8 year old needs braces, it won't be cosmetic, it will definitely be a necessity. Just sayin...
Why not get a loan if necessary like some of us other parents? Make monthly payments with the ortho, they usually will work stuff like that out. I'm about to have braces put on TWINS. Just think about that and stop whining. 38% isn't even that high if a percentage!
Or, go hire a lawyer, that makes sense, seeing as they are free, right
.