Sun, sea and screams? The pros and cons of dental treatment holidays

From preventative and restorative dental treatment through to emergency dentist appointments, as one of the best dental clinics in Christchurch NZ, Duxton Dental’s team takes great pride in helping our patients accomplish maximum oral health. Depending on the treatment required (and how long the patient has avoided seeking dental intervention), the journey to the perfect smile takes time and money, and this is when the idea of taking a dental package holiday can seem an attractive and convenient alternative.

Cheap dentist options

Dental treatment abroad or dental tourism is not a new phenomenon. It’s been taking place for decades.

What is new is the level of advertising these businesses are undertaking.

The internet and social media have increased awareness of the possibility of going abroad for dental procedures. Overseas dental clinics advertise low-cost dental treatment with claims of cheap veneers and smile makeovers with a holiday experience thrown in.

The pros of going abroad for dental treatment

• Dental care in Thailand is cheaper than in New Zealand due to lower overhead costs and a lower cost of living.
• You can plan a holiday at the same time as dental treatment.
• Companies arrange flights, transfers, accommodation, and dental treatment as a package, so it’s hassle-free.
• Dental treatments are completed over a matter of days rather than weeks or months.

So far so good, right?

The cons of going abroad for dental treatment

• Do you think you will enjoy being abroad during intensive complex dental treatments? A holiday it is not. You’ll likely be in your hotel room watching Netflix feeling rotten.
• There is no guarantee that dentists are qualified for dental treatments. New Zealand dental care is highly regulated. The Dental Council ensure registered dentists have approved qualifications and meet and maintain standards of health services and safety to protect patients. We must apply for Annual Practising Certificates – nothing is assumed.
• Communication issues. The language barrier is an obvious issue. It’s crucial to be able to communicate with your dental care provider. If complications occur, you need to be understood. A secondary issue is that overseas dentists do not contact patients’ regular dentists to understand historical or ongoing oral health concerns such as gum disease or bone health. They rely on an x-ray and dental history provided by the patient.
• Limited contact with the dentist. Typically, patients only meet their dentist on the first day of treatment. This means the dentist has planned your treatment on the basis of a solo x-ray and without prior consultation. Would you let a mechanic repair your car without seeing the engine?
• Inappropriate dental treatment. Cosmetic dentistry in Christchurch NZ is reliant on a code of ethics. We will never provide unnecessary or inappropriate dental treatment. For example, teens getting veneers crowns being fit instead of veneers – short-term results for long-term issues. If a procedure is not the best dental treatment for our patient, it will not be completed.
• Expensive if complications occur. Most travel insurance policies only cover emergency dental care rather than costs resulting from elective (planned) procedures. If you are unwell and are unable to come home, you will need to pay for additional dental care, flights, accommodation, etc.
• Unworkable solutions if complications occur. What happens if things don’t go to plan? If you experience problems when you return home, how does an appointment in Thailand help you? Quality dental care means face-to-face examinations, investigations, discussion, and relevant dental treatment. Note too that in dentistry, the last dentist to treat you is the person who is legally responsible for the entire treatment – it will be tough to find a dentist to do remedial work.
• Too rapid dental procedures. Some dental treatments are done in stages. This is because the best long-term results are achieved when gums and bones have had a period of stabilising or healing. Advanced dental work such as dental implants or veneers cannot be completed over a short period of time. Often, gums need to be stabilised over time through hygiene sessions, rushing this process leads to unnecessary painful complications.

If something seems too good to be true, it most likely is. The dental treatment costs abroad are cheap, and that’s with the free hotel stay and holiday package thrown in too. The two things that influence the results of complex dental procedures are a good dentist and good materials – and these come at a cost. Which of these is going to be cut to provide you with cheap dental treatments?

If you are considering going abroad for cheap dental treatments, please get in touch with Duxton Dental before you sign up – we need to have a chat and discuss your options. Click here or call 03 348 5488 to make an appointment, and together we will find a solution.