Worth the Trip? A Look at Dental Tourism
With the constantly rising costs of healthcare, many people are making difficult decisions about their health, including sometimes forgoing routine preventive care as a way to save money. This includes dental care, which can result in patients requiring even more expensive and complicated emergency care down the road.
One way that many people are choosing to save money on costly dental treatments is by travelling abroad to have the work done for less. Medical and dental tourism — patients travelling to other countries for cheaper medical or dental care — has occurred throughout history, and today it’s as popular as ever. An entire industry revolves around connecting patients with care in other countries. However, patients should consider several important questions before taking a trip to a foreign country for any kind of dental treatment: Do the cost savings outweigh the risks of entrusting a dentist in another country with their oral health?
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What are the risks of dental tourism?
Dentistry, whether provided at home or abroad, is never risk-free. You might pay top dollar to see the best provider and still have something go wrong.
The Australian Dental Association advocates for patients to reconsider mixing holidays abroad with their oral health care. The association says the standards of dentistry overseas aren’t as good as in Australia and there could be issues with cleanliness and infection risk.
While there are no strong population-based studies that prove overseas dental treatment leads to poor outcomes, case studies do exist. These have shown lack of accountability and regulation are the main issues with dental tourism, particularly when complications arise.
Education, training and practice philosophies of overseas-trained dentists might be different to those of Australian-trained dentists. Dental education systems in a few major tourist destinations in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent are facing several challenges in terms of rapid privatisation, quality and regulation.
On the other side on the coin, Australia has also had reported cases of poor infection control practices.
Things to consider about Dental Tourism
Whether you choose to have dental treatment overseas or in Australia, here are some things to consider:
Have you had enough time to think about your treatment?
If you have a plane to catch and a tight schedule, you need to be wary about being pressured into committing to treatments before you feel ready. Holidays come and go but the effects of dental treatment stick around for a lot longer.
Have you been able to ask questions?
Most dentists are really good at telling patients about treatments and different options. If you don’t feel you can ask questions, or that you are getting answers that satisfy your needs, you should be able to have a second opinion. Don’t be afraid to ask for one.
What happens if things don’t work out?
Dentistry is as much of an art as it is a science. No matter how skilled your dentist, sometimes things don’t go to plan or are more complex than first thought. It usually isn’t too much of a problem to put things right, but if you need to see a dentist again, is this going to be difficult?
How to save money on dental treatments
If something goes wrong on your dental holiday, the cost of repeating your dental treatment in Australia along with any corrective work needed could end up costing more than it would have originally, not to mention the risk of pain, infection and permanent damage to teeth. Before flying abroad for a dental treatment, you should find out if you can access affordable dental care at your local clinic.
Final note to consider before choosing dental tourism
If you think dental tourism is for you then make sure you do your research- thoroughly. Don’t rely solely on PR and Marketing- it’s easy for companies to create glamorous websites and claim success. Ask around. Find dental tourism patient testimonials.
Also, don’t assume that one person’s dental tourism experience will be the same for you. For comparison purposes, try and find people who have had the exact same procedure you’re looking for.
READ MORE:
Dental Tourism https://www.dentalguideaustralia.com/guide-to-dental-tourism/
Dental Tourism: 5 Risks Of Traveling For A Dental Procedure https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/dental-visits/dental-tourism–5-risks-of-traveling-for-a-dental-procedure-1
Dangers and risks of dental tourism https://www.dental-abroad.com/dangers-and-risks-of-dental-tourism-21.html
Dental tourism: Things to consider before going that extra mile for your smile https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-25/dental-tourism-overseas-dentist-cost-of-dentistry-thailand-india/10427136
Dental tourism: 6 questions to ask before you go overseas for dental work https://www.considerable.com/health/dental-care/dental-tourism/
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Why Choose Dr. Castro For Your Cosmetic Dentistry?
Dr. Zenaidy Castro understands the impact a beautiful smile can have on your daily life. She takes the time to listen to each patient’s goals in order to produce the best results for everyone who wants to have a better smile.
Dr. Zenaidy Castro love transforming smiles through cosmetic dentistry, and with her vast experience of over 30 years, the care and aesthetic results she provides for all her patients is unmatched. What sets her apart is her careful eye for detail and ensure they have superior results that meet her patients expectations.
She enjoys creating smiles based on the idea that each person is born with a unique smile, and believe that a beautiful smile is not a one-size-fits-all smile design or a an appearance that seems like coming from a single factory manufacturing line.
Dr. Zenaidy Castro will design the smile of your dreams. It is easier than you think! Just give us a call to set up your free aesthetic consultation and see for yourself what we can do to make your smile dreams come true. To learn more about working with Dr. Zenaidy Castro, contact Vogue Smiles Melbourne on 9629-7664.
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Dental Payment Plan Options That will Fit Your Budget
We don’t believe that dental care should be out of anyone’s price range. We want you to feel confident in a smile that looks attractive and functions naturally—and fits within your budget! If you don’t believe you can afford the dental treatment you need (or want), rest assured that we will try our best to help you afford the treatment you need. We have helped countless patients receive affordable dentistry, providing them with beautiful new smiles that have changed their quality of life.
Our team helps make our dental services affordable by assisting you in maximizing your insurance benefits and accepting a variety of payment methods.
Don’t let fear or embarrassment about your budget keep you from getting the dental treatments your smile deserves.
The information on this website is for information purposes only. Is not a substitute for a proper professional care and advice. Each patient’s outcomes, risks, potential complications, and recovery differ. Any dental procedure, minor or major, carries risks, some minor and some serious. Before and after images seen on our Social Media and website pages are our actual patient and have been published/posted with our patients’ permission. All of our patients photos are subject to Copyrights protection. We are strong believers in responsible aesthetics. Every cosmetic, medical, or dental procedure comes with its own set of risks and benefits. Cosmetic Dentistry results will vary from patient to patient. Call our office and book for an actual in-office consultation for us to assess if you are a good candidate for a particular treatment. All of our Specials and packages posted on this site are subject to terms, conditions and availability. The exact fee for a particular cosmetic procedure will be determined after a preliminary assessment distinguishing your unique personal needs and the type of work needed. The prices mentioned on any of our website as well as any mentioned payment plan by a third party source, are just a guide and is subject to change. Call the third party financing providers or visit their website for more info. Please call the office on 9629-7664 for further queries or clarification.
