Dental tourism – is cheaper treatment worth the risk?
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 22nd November 2022
Winter sunshine dental holidays are rising in popularity among patients in the UK, with many opting to skip the waiting lists, cut costs, and travel for their treatment. There is a public perception that restorations are cheaper, more accessible, and faster when undergone abroad, but this means that planning stages are often rushed and treatments carry enormous risks if they don’t go to plan. When patients seek dentistry abroad, they may be offered treatment which isn’t suitable for them. UK dentists, operating under GDC regulations, will offer safe, good value, high-quality treatment as an alternative to these potentially high-risk procedures. It’s important to understand that cosmetic dentistry should be a long-term investment, so patients should consider looking for high-quality treatment in the UK for results that last.
The true cost of dental tourism
Driven by increased focus on aesthetics, both on social media and reality TV, it has become increasingly popular for people to travel from the UK to other countries for dental treatment. Overseas dentists are marketing their services directly to patients as a low-cost option for quick and dramatic results, even using the appeal of a holiday to attract more interest.[i] Patients should check the qualifications and experience of the dentist, and also what their insurance covers them for, but even if they do their homework, major problems can occur.
Overseas dentists are likely to have different protocols for treatment planning, assessment and preparation. In some cases, an overseas dentist may unnecessarily remove or damage healthy teeth in order to perform restorations.[ii] Not only this, but undergoing dental treatment in a foreign country can make post-operative care more difficult if they are only staying for a limited, short period of time, leaving patients without the ongoing support they need after invasive procedures.
Research suggests that 95% of dentists have examined patients who have travelled abroad for dental treatment. And, of those 86% say they’ve treated patients who had developed complications,[iii] such as abscesses, infections, bleeding gums, cracked crowns, and loose implants.[iv] The corrective treatments required can be very complex, with some UK dentists deciding not to provide treatment as they don’t feel they are competent. Some patients find that the only way to resolve the issue is through a private specialisti – in these cases they can expect to pay thousands to repair the damage done to their teeth.ii
On top of the extra expense, many will experience emotional distress as a result of these complications, and a great deal of pain. All of which could be avoided when treatment is undergone in the UK, under GDC regulations. The peace of mind that treatments are safe, and planned properly, is certainly worth the higher cost.
Benefits of dental treatment in the UK
Where possible, patients should consider dental treatment in the UK. Here, GDC regulation means that all dentists in this country are held to the same high standards. If these standards are not met and guidelines are not followed, UK dentists may be removed from the GDC register, meaning they will not be able to work as a dental professional.[v] These rigorous regulations give patients the sense of reliability and security when undergoing dental procedures.ii
Receiving dental treatment in the UK has additional perks. Follow-ups are much simpler as if a patient has undergone a dental procedure in the UK, additional treatment, or any corrective treatments will be far more accessible. Not only this, but for many patients, communication in the UK will be far easier between the patient and dentist. In addition, the dentist will have access to a patients full and traceable dental records if they decide to get treatment in the UK.
Composite bonding as a solution
However, the problem still remains that dental tourism is growing in popularity – with nearly 85% of all dentists suggesting dental tourism is a growing trend.iii Some dentists may feel that they must compete with this ‘low cost’ dental work. However, it’s important to remember that providing high-quality treatment is the priority. The ability to provide your patients with high standards of care and fine-tune any dental work to achieve the perfect smile, aesthetically and functionally, will take time and will be more expensive, particularly for more invasive procedures.iv
Composite restorations are a fantastic choice for good value, high-quality restorative treatments. Composite allows patients long lasting, natural looking, highly aesthetic restorations right here in the UK. Offer your patients a non-invasive option to save the patients tooth while improving the shape and colour, and repairing any chips and unevenness. Dentists should consider the use of good value, high-quality products to help keep costs down, while still creating highly aesthetic results. Choose composite products which are versatile, reliable and predictable to provide your patients with the best possible results.
So, be sure to inform your patients of the procedures available to them here in the UK, as well as the risks involved in opting for treatment overseas.
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[i] Ashiti, S., Moshkun, C. Dental tourists: treat, re-treat or do not treat?. Br Dent J 230, 73–76 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2591-6 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-020-2591-6
[ii] Oral Health Foundation. The downsides of dental tourism. (Date accessed: 18.07.22) https://www.dentalhealth.org/the-downsides-of-dental-tourism
[iii] British Dental Association. Dental tourism: patients need to know the risks. (Date accessed: 18.07.22) https://www.bda.org/news-centre/latest-news-articles/Pages/dental-tourism-patients-need-to-know-the-risks-.aspx
[iv] Irish Dental Association. The dangers of dental tourism. (Date accessed: 21.07.22) https://www.dentist.ie/latest-news/the-dangers-of-dental-tourism-.6556.html
[v] General Dental Council. Focus on standards. (Date accessed: 18.07.22) https://standards.gdc-uk.org/
