We naively didn't get any dental insurance on our move to Switzerland and now my 8-year-old daughter's dentist is already talking about orthopaedic work I can't imagine how much all that will cost. I have heard I may have left it all too late as the insurers are nervous when there are already bills on the horizon...Has anyone any tips for what I can do or who I can contact for insurance in this case? Or am I better off trying to get it all done in the UK? Thanks in advance!

Try to get her insured now, apart from having to currently do dental work or not. While you're taking care of insurance, check with the insurance and the UK orthodontist (dental orthopedist) how much treatment would cost both in the UK and here. Then, evaluate reasonable possibility of returning to the UK for emergency and follow-up treatment if problems were to arise with treatment done there in case Swiss dentists refuse to take care of it here.

So, basically, get her insured no matter what, but decide where to do the treatment right now by evaluating both Swiss insurances and UK dentists.
Getting her insured now might result into certain things not being covered due to preexisting conditions, but the later you do it the higher the risk of more preexisting conditions accumulating.

Good luck.

Check with you general health insurance provider - they may be dental cover under that, for children.

Basic health insurance doesn't cover dental accidents, and it only covers dental illness treatment if dental problems are due to certain issues. Link with detailed list of treatments covered by basic insurance here

So you probably need to get supplemental, and as mentioned above, they can deny coverage for preexisting conditions as they are risk-based, as opposed to basic health insurance, which has to accept anyone for general health care and certain dental conditions (which I mentioned above) without question.

You are basically screwed. For an 8 year old, insurance companies will [edited: very likely] require a dental check and they will assess what cover they will give.

We left it too late for our oldest, so all our younger children have full teeth cover, and the oldest has an exception for orthodontics work. There are exceptions - if it is really, and I mean really bad, then you can get the State to cover "remedial" dental work... but I think your teeth have to be coming out the side of your head or something.

If you are on a tight budget, consider day trips to Germany or holiday () trips back to the UK (although it isn't that much cheaper from what I hear...).

__________________
Never let right or wrong get in the way of a good opinion

In any case, try to get the additional insurance asap as mentioned by Glowjupiter.
The costs of braces can easily go into the CHF 20'000.- range.

Before deciding on UK, try to find out what needs doing and how often adjustment is likely to be needed. I seem to remember our youngster trailing off to the practice pretty often, especially at the beginning. As soon as the teeth start getting into line, the gadgets need tightening again. (Layman's dentistry!) And bits break. Or get lost. Or drop off.
Good luck anyway.

I agree with the previous posts. Get the dental cover added on as soon as you can.
Our younger daughter had coverage from when we arrived aged 5 and it has been so worthwhile since we found out later that she had a problem with her jaw bone (not known at the time) I think the dental / brace costs covered by the insurance company are now in excess of CHF20'000

My health insurance makes a provision against general dental treatment of CHF 1000 in every two year period - normally enough for most basic requirements, such as check-ups, cleaning, fillings. Anything over that value is then paid by me.

For my children, I believe that all work is included (possibly some exceptions, but can't confirm), although a supplemental charge over the normal premium is required to cover this.
Also, IIRC, an excess applies to each different (course of) treatment - but still works out much cheaper than paying the full whack.

Ask your insurance broker, maybe after a few years they will cover corrections.

The Swiss cover birth defects, as an IV invalidity insurance payment. Children born here and under 18 years of age, can obtain this cover, and get their teeth straightened free of charge by the IV. Your dentist can tell you where to claim in your town, usually at the AHV or AVS office.