Naturally, there's something rather alluring about the idea of dental tourism. You combine an exotic holiday with that dental work you've probably been putting off for a while, with Thailand and India becoming preferred destinations for dental tourism. The savings can be significant, as a dental clinic in certain developing countries will have dramatically lower operating costs than their Australian counterparts. Even when you consider the costs of flights and accommodation, you can still save a huge amount of money when compared to the cost of the same dental procedure in Australia. But there are a few common mistakes that can be made when you're thinking about having a dental procedure performed overseas. So what are these mistakes, and how can you avoid them?
Checking the Dentist's Qualifications
There's no international standard qualification for dentistry, so the prerequisites required to practise can vary significantly from country to country. When deciding upon an overseas dental clinic, be sure to check the dentist's qualifications. Did they qualify in their own country or abroad? How long have they been practising? Are they a specialist in the type of procedure you wish to have performed? Does the dentist (or dental assistant) speak fluent English to answer your questions on the day of the procedure? Any dental clinic that is unable (or unwilling) to provide this information should be avoided.
Using an Agency
For added surety, you can go through an Australian based dental tourism agency. This is more like buying a package holiday in that the flights, accommodation, and the dental work is included in the overall cost. The dentist has also been comprehensively checked with regards to their qualifications and patient satisfaction.
How Many Visits Are Required?
Although the cost of the actual procedure can be much lower overseas, remember that certain types of work require a follow-up visit. When receiving a dental implant, the first visit requires a metallic abutment to be implanted into the jaw. A subsequent visit is required several months later for a prosthetic crown to be fitted over the implant, once it has stabilised. Two overseas trips are required, and as such, you need to thoroughly investigate the costs involved. It might be cheaper to have a dental implant (or any procedure that requires a follow-up visit) performed in Australia.
Is Insurance Available for Dental Tourism?
Of course, travel insurance is highly recommended with any kind of overseas trip. Some insurance providers now offer a dental tourism policy extension, which usually needs to be purchased in conjunction with standard travel insurance. This can be extremely helpful in the unlikely event that something goes wrong with your dental procedure. You receive coverage that will pay for any corrective work that might need to be performed upon your return to Australia. While such an event would be rare, having to pay for the work twice would negate the point of dental tourism. It can be worthwhile, simply for the peace of mind.
Talk to Your Own Dentist
It can be important to check new dental work, and this is not always possible when the dentist who performed the procedure is back in the country you've just left. Upon your return to Australia, schedule an appointment with your own or a local dentist, such as those at Bruce Stevens Dental. They will be able to check the work and ensure that any prosthetics are settling into position as they should. It also allows you early warning, just in case any follow-up work needs to be done (which is why insurance is a very good idea).
So while dental tourism isn't for everyone, and certainly is not the best choice for all dental procedures, it can be a great way to enjoy a holiday while getting great dental work for a great price.
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