The Risks of Dental Tourism

Getting dental work done overseas sounds attractive right? You can jet off to an exotic location, get cheap fillings or veneers, and have a relaxing holiday at the same time.

But there is more to weigh up than the headline price.

While it may be tempting from a cost and holiday perspective, getting this type of work done overseas carries risks which you should be aware of.

So what are the risks of going on a dental holiday?

Materials and regulation

In Australia, medical devices and prosthetics need to pass stringent rules set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The country you’re going to may not have the same requirements for their medical materials, so it is worth asking what is being used and whether it is certified.

Staff training and equipment

A much lower price has to come from somewhere. It is worth understanding what is different: staff training requirements, equipment, materials, and the time allowed for each procedure all vary between countries.

Complications from dental work that needs redoing can cost more to correct than the original treatment would have cost at home.

Rushed Jobs and Tight Schedules

Most dental holiday patients are on a strict schedule due to their holiday. Fitting treatment into those timeframes can compress the intervals that some procedures normally require. With implants, for example, the stages are usually spaced out over months.

Additionally, some patients may try to fix multiple dental issues at the same time, compromising the recovery periods between separate jobs. Without allowing sufficient time for your teeth and gums to recover, the risks of complications such as infections can increase.

Infection Control

In Australia, infection control is tightly regulated and audited, and standards vary considerably between countries. If you develop an infection overseas, the care available to you may differ from what you would receive at home.

If something goes wrong

In the event that something does go wrong, the avenues for complaint and remedy differ from country to country. In Australia, dental practitioners are registered with AHPRA and there is a defined complaints process.

The more complex the procedure, the more the risk

Be aware that the bigger the procedure you’re going for, the more there is to weigh up. Follow-up care matters most on complex work, and follow-up is the hardest thing to arrange from another country.

So is it worth getting dental work done overseas?

The decision needs to be weighed up against the risks. With dental work done in Australia, you know you are getting:

• A diagnosis and treatment plan you can discuss before treatment starts.

• Practitioners registered with AHPRA.

• Adherence to the standards and codes of the Dental Board of Australia.

• Infection control requirements that are regulated and monitored.

• A defined process for recourse if complications arise.

If you’re unsure about whether or not to get dental work done overseas, come have a chat with our friendly team. Book a consultation online or by phone on 07 5580 0621 today.