Newsletter Issue 2 - News

Dental tourism is in the news often for a variety of reasons - cash savings, substandard work, amazing holidays, false treatments. The reviews are very mixed to say the least.

Some people are still rushing without considering any of the implications in getting dental treatment abroad. Here are 5 reasons why you stay at home for your dental treatment.

Standards
The reality is that each and every country has its own dental standards. They have their own regulations and authorities that deal with dentistry locally. There is no guarantee that a treatment that seems identical on paper here as overseas will actually be carried out in the same way. Moreover, standards also apply across the board. You don’t know what the basic hygiene standards are, or the standards for after-dental care or even for water cleanliness. Can you take those chances with your health?

Speed
You can’t get in to see your local dentist and you hear that availability is readily available overseas. It not advisable to try and get a dentist abroad to provide complicated work in what might be too short a time period. Some procedures require you to convalesce or need to be spread out over time. If these same time periods aren’t respected in your overseas work, then the result may not be same as you would receive here.

Fear
If fear is motivating you to go abroad, then fear may never see you at another dentist again. The fear felt at your dentist is normally a reaction to a distant memory or a bad previous experience. Dentists now have systems in place to ensure that the majority of treatments are quick and painless. If fear is your issue, then how would you feel if it all went wrong and you were 3,000 kms from home?

Cost
Travelling to a different country for dentistry isn't worth it if you want to significantly save money. Remember the travel, accommodation, food and living costs for your time away. Travel insurance typically won’t cover elective surgery so you have to be prepared to spend. Be sure you also have emergency funds available as many dental tourism destinations have histories of natural disasters and political instability.

Research
Each of the previous points is an underscore of this last vital element, research. Without research into all the treatments locally and all the aspects that should impact your decision to go abroad then you are seriously risking your health. Is it worth it?

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