Dental tourism is increasingly popular among Brits
Flights may be grounded at the moment, but before airlines started making cancellations and we were encouraged to stay at home, dental tourism was booming.
Dental tourism, the practice of going overseas to undergo dental treatment, has become increasingly popular in the last decade. The most common reason patients choose to travel to see a dentist is cost. By leaving the UK to visit a clinic in Hungary, Thailand, Bali, Romania or Poland, patients can expect to save up to 70% on treatment charges. For many people, prices in the UK are simply not affordable, and even after factoring in the cost of flights and hotels, the savings are significant.
Another reason people are eager to travel abroad for treatment is the growth in the market. As demand for dental treatment has increased, brand new, state of the art facilities have popped up all over the world. Patients are impressed by online galleries on clinic websites and glossy brochures, and they look forward to having treatment at a centre that boasts all the mod cons. Some are also keen to make a holiday of their trip and they take the opportunity to have a few days off before or after treatment.
There are obvious benefits associated with having dental treatment overseas, but dentists in the UK urge patients to proceed with caution. Lower prices are likely to appeal to patients, especially those on a tight budget, but there are risks involved. Hygiene and infection control standards are extremely high in the UK and dentists that join the General Dental Council register are highly-skilled and experienced. In other countries, standards may be lower and dentists might not have the same level of expertise.
Patients who are considering dental tourism are encouraged to research facilities thoroughly and to read verified patient reviews and testimonials. It’s also beneficial to check the credentials of the dental team and to ask for a full written breakdown of costs before signing any contracts. It is worth noting that the cost of fixing a botched procedure is likely to be higher than the original quote for treatment in the UK.
