What lengths would you go to save some money on your dental treatment? Would you let someone do a procedure that you weren’t sure they were qualified to do? Or would you risk getting infection in a country where infection control standards are not as strict as Australia’s?
Many people are taking these risks by booking their ticket overseas on a dental holiday. While combining dental treatment with a holiday by the beach might sound like a great way to save a little bit of money, there is a lot of risk involved in the process. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) has warned of the risks involved and we've looked further into the possible problems you could face.
Short term saving, long term costs
If it seems too good to be true, it generally is. The quality of materials and standard of the procedure may not be to the same level of that in Australia. If you take the risk to save some money in the short term, there is a chance you will end up spending more in the long term if any problems occur. It is unlikely that travel insurance will cover any overseas dental procedure issues, leaving you with no clear avenue to complain if you’re unhappy with the treatment.
You may need to go back to the clinic to have more work done which means you will end up paying more than you initially budgeted for.
Regulation & Training Standard
Australia dentists are trained to an extremely high standard, must be registered and are required to operate in a strictly-regulated environment. On top of this, Australian dentists are required to undergo routine training to ensure their skills and knowledge are kept up to date. While there are some high quality overseas dentists, not all countries operate to this level of regulation so any risk is far greater.
Short time frame
Even if the dentist is fantastic, trying to squeeze multiple complex procedures into the time frame of a holiday brings a number of risks to your teeth and gums. Your mouth needs time to recover in between procedures and rushing through without proper recovery time can have many long-term complications.
Dental materials
All dental materials within Australia must be regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Overseas materials may not be to the same high standard and having to get any fixtures replaced may end up being even more expensive.
Infection Control Standards
Australian infection control standards are the world’s best. Depending on where you go, infection control may not be to the same standard which puts you at a lot of risk when undergoing any kind of dental treatment. Australian dentists are obligated to adhere to strict infection control protocols which may not be the case in other countries. Health Professionals are becoming increasingly concerned as “superbugs” are appearing more often as people return from overseas treatments.
Emergencies
While dentists to their utmost to minimise risks, there is always a chance something could go wrong when you’re sitting in any dental chair. While in Australia, you can faithfully put your trust in the highly-trained professionals who can perform any emergency corrective procedures. If you’re in an overseas location, you may not be supplied any expert emergency care. If something goes wrong in Australia, you have rights that can protect you whereas overseas treatments do not offer the same safety net.
If you’re still wanting to take the risk, make sure you do extensive research into the possible options to ensure you visit the best possible clinic. Ensure you understand the extensive risks that come with this fast-growing trend of dental holidays. If you want any more information, give us a call on 5591 2661 or leave an enquiry about the treatment you are after.