Dental tourism is on the rise as more people than ever look to create their perfect smile on a budget – but do you know the risks of getting dental procedures done abroad?
If you’ve been suffering from severe gum disease and tooth loss for some time, then the idea of dental implants abroad may sound like a dream come true. Affordable, accessible and often promised to be completed in just one sitting – it’s no wonder why so many people opt for this line of treatment.
But the truth is that dental implants can – and do – fail. Even when performed in the most esteemed regulated dental practices here in the UK.
When you choose cheap dental implants abroad, that security blanket is often lost, leaving you to fend for yourself if issues arise later down the line. So how protected are you when you go abroad for your dental implants?
What you need to know about dental regulation standards
Here in the UK, all dental clinics work to a set of regulation and registration standards that ensure that everything from core ethical principles to meeting the expectations of the patients is addressed. It’s these regulations that ensure you are protected as a patient if something were to go wrong with your dental care.
It is compulsory that all UK dental practices register with the General Dental Council and adhere to these regulations, but not all foreign countries enforce the same standards. All registered dental practices in the UK must also comply with the strict standards laid out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
If you’re seeking affordable dental implants abroad in a country that doesn’t have these regulations in place, you could be exposing yourself to a much higher risk.
Why do people go abroad for dental treatments?
It’s no surprise that in 2019, over 35,000 Brits flocked to foreign countries to receive budget-friendly dental procedures. After all, dental procedures here in the UK can be expensive and rarely come under the NHS. However, it’s also true that you get what you pay for when it comes to full mouth dental implants.
What are the risks of going abroad for dental treatments?
Not all dental treatments done abroad will end in tears. In fact, there are plenty of prestigious dental clinics across the world, but the ones that are high-quality will often have prices similar to those found here in the UK.
So, what are the risks associated with opting for the extra affordable dentist procedures abroad then?
- If things don’t go to plan, there’s rarely anything you can do about it. Unlike here in the UK, opting for dental procedures abroad can leave you exposed if things aren’t as plain sailing as you’d hoped. Complaining and suing is difficult, and it can often be impossible to get your money back.
- In the case of the above, it is not uncommon for individuals to return to the UK and have to pay full price for corrective dental procedures (often resulting in them paying double what they would have paid if they’d have opted for a UK dentist in the first place).
- Exposure to unnecessary procedures. Premature and irreversible treatments can be carried out for a “quick fix” result. This often includes the removal of healthy teeth or the fitting of unnecessary crowns and bridges. This can lead to painful treatments later down the line that could have been avoided altogether.
- Of course, infections are a potential risk after any procedure, however if the dental clinic you’re using has sub-par hygiene standards, you’re much more likely to contract an infection in the following days or weeks.
- If you’re choosing a dental clinic abroad for your procedure, there is a risk that the language barrier could cause some confusion. With any treatment you want to feel confident that they understand exactly what you want to achieve, and likewise you want to feel assured you have properly understood the different stages of your treatment.
- Whilst you may not be able to receive your dental procedure under the NHS, opting for treatment here in the UK can ensure that if something were to go wrong, you are protected under UK law to claim under medical negligence. This right is lost once you opt for treatment abroad, so it is incredibly important that you do thorough research beforehand.
Why not choose EvoDental and an EvoSolution?
Our team at EvoDental have been specialising in full mouth dental implants since 2007, and we’re proud to say that when it comes to full-jaw work, our expertise is unmatched. Each patient who comes to us has the skill, knowledge and passion of our entire multi-discipline team who work together to formulate a unique treatment to suit each individuals’ specific needs and requirements.
Our expert on-site lab means that we never need to outsource, instead creating a completely unique prosthetic for each patient we see. It’s for these reasons, as well as many more, that we are highly regarded by other dentists in the UK who will often refer their patients to us where our specific expertise are required.
We offer a free of charge full clinical consultation, during which we can fully assess your requirements and tell you there and then whether you’d be suitable for our full mouth implant procedure.
We would love to hear from you – so contact our friendly, knowledgeable team today.
For more information please visit the website www.evodental.com
