Dental treatment abroad usually falls into two categories.
Either:
- Patients who plan a trip specifically for a particular procedure because the prices are cheaper than where they live.
Or:
- People tempted to make spur of the moment decisions to undergo a procedure, because it’s an attractive idea at the time.
In both cases, there can be satisfactory outcomes but there can also be terrible disasters.
Planned dental treatment abroad.
A quick search in a website browser will throw up a wide range of dental destinations and treatments for consideration. With long NHS waiting lists and the perception that private dental care in the UK is expensive, people turn to overseas dental treatment as an alternative.
The General Dental Council (GDC), the body responsible in the UK for “protecting patients, regulating the dental team”, publish a booklet of advice you can find on this page for people considering overseas treatment. It’s worth reading before you book your tickets and treatment.
GDC key words of advice are:
“Before you commit to travelling abroad for dental treatment, it’s important you are fully aware of what to expect and what risks are involved.”
A brief summary of tips:
- Check that you will be in a properly regulated, clinical environment.
- Ask a lot of questions before you go and don’t feel pressurized into making a decision.
- Check with your own dentist if the procedure is right for your teeth.
- Consider the time restrictions of travelling to a destination. Dental treatments should not be rushed.
- Work out the finances in detail. Budget in return trips for follow-up care, and consider the cost of returning to fix a problem.
Spur of the moment treatment abroad.
When we’re being spontaneous, that means we haven’t given full consideration to our decision. Often we’re tempted to do things because we’re there, the price is good, the service provider is nice, and it feels right at the time.
But some procedures are more risky than others. A bad hair cut will grow out. A painful pedicure may just need a course of antibiotics to sort out an infection. Having your teeth fried, however, by an LED lamp for the promise of white teeth in an unrealistic time can end in permanent damage that you’ll only be able to fix with expensive veneers.
Quite simply, it’s not worth it.
Are cosmetic dental treatments in the UK really so expensive?
We encourage you to ask in your dental practice about payment plans for cosmetic procedures. Your dentist will not put pressure on you to start treatments you can’t afford. All of our clinicians and staff are there to help you decide which procedures will benefit your oral health and enhance your appearance.
SpaDental practices offer a range of payment methods to help patients access both restorative and cosmetic procedures.
Contact us to find out more.
Please don’t make an expensive mistake. Take care considering dental treatment abroad and find out if you can do it safely closer to home!