Dental treatment can be expensive and it’s the main contributing factor towards Australians not receiving the dental care they need. Got questions? Give us a call.
It’s also the reason why some patients may turn to dental treatment abroad for cheaper alternatives, and subsequently fall into the trap of ‘bargain’ treatments, desirable exchange rates and lower product prices. Before deciding on whether dental treatment is right for you, it’s important to ask questions and get some facts.
What are your risks? Is there a reason why dental treatment is cheaper in other countries? and what happens when something goes wrong?
At Perth Dental Implant Centre, we’ve listed everything you need to know about overseas dental treatment and why we recommend choosing a local dentist.
It’s commonplace for people to want to visit businesses that have been recommended to them by friends and family. This idea has fuelled the dental tourism industry and led to many people undergoing treatment overseas for dental implants.
One of the largest problems associated with visiting another country for dental treatment is the fact that you do not benefit from the same high healthcare standards that registered Australian practitioners abide by.
It can sometimes take many months or years for the consequences of poor treatment to resurface. By that time, patients are understandably reluctant to pay for additional dental care to correct the issue. The cost of corrective surgery can work out ultimately more expensive than if you’d had treatment done at home.
In Australia, the dental industry is strictly regulated for the safety and wellbeing of patients, where the same regulations do not apply overseas. Australian-based dentists have a high standard of dental education and have compulsory ongoing professional development.
Dental implant systems in Australia meet relevant standards and are approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Overseas dental implant systems may be cheaper but also of a poor quality material, making them more prone to failure.
When a provider has inadequate language skills or uses different gestures, body language and symbols, it can sometimes lead to miscommunication.
While a shorter treatment time may seem attractive at first, patients who have limited time on holiday may be subject to dentists cutting corners for complex or multiple treatments.
Hygiene practices that involve keeping dental instruments, materials and surroundings sterile may also be less strict at overseas dental clinics compared to Australia
Overseas treatment runs the risk of the dentist failing to plan and examine pre-existing conditions such as gum disease. The results of this can be catastrophic. As such, most treatments should ideally be completed over a longer period of time, with a trusted and experienced dentist.
If something does go wrong during or after treatment, you have no legal recourse to make a complaint or claim compensation. You would need to return to the overseas dentist for ongoing care or be treated locally at an additional cost. Additionally, travel insurance policies won’t cover medical treatment and dental tourism operators absolve themselves of any responsibility.
Read more about the dangers of overseas treatment by reading our blog Are Overseas Dental Implants Safe?
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) discourages patients from seeking dental treatment overseas. Deputy Chairman of the Oral Health Committee Dr Michael Foley explains that
“While it’s true you may save some money in the short-term, the reality is that things can go wrong and all those expected savings can quickly disappear and end up costing more than the holiday itself”.
Read the ADA media release here.
Our leading dentist, Dr David Norcross offers up some questions you may want to ask before undergoing treatment for dental implants overseas:
Dr David Norcross is a general dentist who has dedicated his career to placing dental implants and has completed extensive implant dentistry training courses over the past 15 years. He places over 300 dental implants each year at two dedicated dental implant clinics in Kelmscott and East Victoria Park.
At Perth Dental Implant Centre, you will benefit from our experienced dentists, technicians and prosthetists, high-quality implant systems and flexible payment options and genuine care. For more information, get in touch today.
All of our dental implant solutions are tailor made & crafted to ensure they not only work in harmony with your smile but also complement your facial structure.
Book Now East Vic Park Book Now Kelmscott DentalAll medical treatments carry risks, but travelling overseas for surgical treatment can increase those risks. While the potential savings of implant treatment overseas is appealing, the risks often outweigh the benefits. Risks include:
Dental implant treatment is a long-term treatment that requires ongoing supervision after you’ve returned back home. Before you decide whether to travel abroad, ask these questions:
