Investing in value
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 22nd September 2022
When undergoing a dental procedure, patients are investing in more than simply a specific treatment; they are paying for exceptional care and value. This means that before, during and after treatment, they should receive appropriate care that helps to secure successful and long-lasting results.
Of course, there will be patients who do not recognise or fully appreciate that when paying for a dental treatment, they are also paying for the safety of receiving care from a highly skilled professional who utilises high-grade materials and equipment. As such, they may attempt to find the cheapest possible option elsewhere in a bid to save money. This can bring with it a whole host of issues that put patients at risk of problems, with the potential to compromise not only the final results, but their long-term health too.
At the end of the day, it’s ultimately up to the patient to choose where to invest their money; but, you can equip them will relevant background reading and resources that will ensure they understand the benefits of investing in dental care that offers value.
Why pay more when you can pay less…?
Nowadays, many people are seeking new and improved smiles, and the demand for these services continues to rise, so it comes as no surprise that people are looking for treatment that fits into their budget. For instance, with the average price for a dental implant costing £2,000 in the UK,[i] patients may be making a substantial monetary saving by going abroad. By undergoing dental implant treatment in Turkey, for example, patients could spend around £800, or only £730 in Hungary.i Such a saving may seem an attractive proposition to patients, but have they considered what they could potentially lose out on?
Risky business
Patients may feel like they’re getting a good deal initially by choosing to go abroad, for example, due to the much cheaper costs. However, if issues do occur, then patients are potentially faced with additional costs that quickly multiply. If they go back to the treating professional, then they must pay for flights and accommodations again, in addition to taking time off work and/or arranging childcare. If advised to seek further care from a UK dental professional, then patients are yet again faced with difficulties, as many UK dentists will be wary of treating patients who have undergone treatment in countries with fewer regulations governing techniques and materials due to litigation concerns.
Regardless of where a patient receives treatment, there is always a risk of something going awry. However, by choosing to invest in a dentist whose dental practice isn’t hundreds of miles away, patients can get any problem identified early and rectified more conveniently than if they underwent treatment abroad. Similarly, dental implant therapy requires regular check-ups over a significant period of time to ensure that that the site has healed smoothly, and to give patients a chance to ask questions and to feel engaged, well informed and comfortable. If patients received dental implants abroad, then they may potentially miss out on these important check-ups, and any underlying issues could go undetected for some time.
Don’t let patients be beguiled by a bargain
Opening a line of communication with patients can be challenging, especially when they believe that they cannot justify the cost of the treatment. However, it’s important that patients fully understand the potential risks involved in seeking the cheapest possible treatment pathway. If your dental practice provides dental implants, then you are in an ideal position to offer guidance and stress the importance to patients that they are not simply spending money on the treatment, but everything else that comes with it.
Of course, keeping abreast of the changes within the field of dental implantology is vital to ensure that patients receive only the finest care. You’ll also be demonstrating why undergoing treatment from a highly trained professional, whose skills and knowledge continue to stay up-to-date, is imperative. Dental implantology is a rapidly evolving field, with new innovations being made at break-neck speed. One of the most convenient ways to stay ahead of the game and refresh your skillset is to join an association.
Be at the cutting-edge
The Association of Dental Implantology (ADI) is a great place for likeminded professionals to come together, be inquisitive and keep updated on all the current trends and conversations in the field. Members have access to excellent educational resources, such as a range of journals and ADI study clubs. Plus, members can receive discounted delegate rates for ADI events, including the Biennial Team Congress. Professionals can also stay connected through the ADI Members’ Only Facebook Group. By joining this growing community of over 2,400 members, you can deliver truly exceptional dental care to your patients.
Going abroad for dental care may seem like an opportunity too good to miss, but the risks involved are numerous. Dental professionals should utilise their knowledge on these risks to ensure that patients are sufficiently educated on the topic, and are able to make the right decision so they can not only receive long-lasting treatment, but are kept safe from avoidable complications.
For more information about the ADI, or to join, please visit the website
[i] Dentaly.org. (n.d.). UK Dental Implants Cost, Types, Procedure & More Information. [online] Available at: https://www.dentaly.org/en/teeth-implants-cost/#Comparing_teeth_implant_costs_abroad [Accessed 6 Jun. 2022].
