Why Avoid Dental Tourism?
Have you ever heard of medical tourism? You might have seen advertisements from travel companies specialising in package holidays to exotic destinations with a “side dish” of surgery. This can be everything from cosmetic surgery (e.g. breast augmentation, Brazilian butt lift, facelift) to fertility treatments. The proposal is simple: fly to Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, or another country, check into a beachside resort, undergo elective surgery for a fraction of the price you’d pay in Australia, and recover poolside in paradise before you fly home.
Some companies also offer dental tourism – and while it may sound appealing in theory, in practice it’s never a good idea.
Why Does Dental Tourism Seem Appealing?
On the surface, what could be better than getting your teeth fixed at a great price while you’re on holiday somewhere amazing?
Let’s face it – it does cost a lot to see a dentist in Australia. Even the basics of general dentistry and preventative dental treatment are not cheap – and once you consider things like root canal treatments, cosmetic dentistry, and implant dentistry, the costs can seem prohibitive. It’s no wonder that some people are tempted to go overseas for their dental procedures – especially when a palm-shaded beach and balmy breezes are part of the deal.
The most common dental work Australians seek overseas includes fillings, root canal therapy, teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, bridges, dentures, and even dental implants.
Agencies that offer dental tourism usually provide packages that include flights, transfers, accommodation, recreational activities, and referrals to particular providers for dental surgery. The cost of the procedure may even be included. What the fine print does not tell you is that there are extra hidden costs – and a lot of risks.
Understanding the Risks
Many Australian dental professionals are concerned that, once the COVID-19 crisis has eventually passed, Australians may resume seeking offshore dental surgery and treatments. The Australian Dental Association has long warned consumers that there are definite risks and drawbacks of going overseas for dental (or any medical procedure, for that matter).
You must consider that for overseas dental:
- Travel insurance does not cover elective procedures for medical or dental – even if something goes wrong. The risks of anaesthesia, infection, bleeding, and other procedure risks are as high (if not higher) overseas as they are at home.
- International standards are possibly not as stringent as they are in Australia – in terms of practices and protocols, for regulated clinical environments, as well as for dentist training, registration, and for the quality of dental supplies and materials that dentists use. Australian dentists are very highly trained and bound by strict codes of conduct. Dental supplies used in Australia are from the world’s leading brands that dentists and other healthcare professionals know and trust.
- Infection control standards in Australia are world-class – this is not necessarily the case overseas. Many overseas clinics and hospitals do not adhere to the same standards and Australians having treatments overseas have been known to bring home antibiotic-resistant superbugs that are difficult to treat and compromise our own health system.
- The risk of complications is higher. Not only are consultations with the dentist who is a stranger rushed for dental tourism procedures (not to mention potential language barriers and lack of comprehensive understanding of patient medical history), but also the time taken to affect a treatment is fast-tracked. From dental implants to root canal treatments; these should be conducted over multiple visits with appropriate recovery time between. This is not an option when dental holidays are taken overseas, and complications often arise.
- When things go wrong (as they can with any procedure) it can be more difficult and expensive to fix. Any money saved by having a cheaper procedure overseas will be negated and even overtaken by the costs of returning overseas for further treatment or to see an Australian-qualified dentist at home to have the problem fixed. Outcomes may not be ideal, despite the best efforts of the dentist.
“You get what you pay for” – and this is true. Australia has the finest dentists and dental practices in the world – with world-class training, continuing professional education, facilities, treatment protocols, and infection control standards. Our dental suppliers offer the best products and having your dental work done locally is worth the investment.
So make your holiday just that – a holiday – and have your teeth taken care of in the safety of Australia.