Dental treatment in the UK can be expensive, even if you’re an NHS patient. Cosmetic dental work is mostly done privately, and the costs can easily mount up, leading many people to seek alternative treatment options. Travelling abroad for dental treatment is becoming increasingly popular; but it’s natural that, if this is something you’re thinking about doing, you likely have a few questions. 

At Medical Travel Co., we are luxury medical tourism facilitators and work extensively with patients seeking dental treatment abroad, as well as a number of first-class clinics in Turkey that provide dental treatments to medical tourists. With this in mind, we understand that making the decision to go abroad for treatment can seem daunting, and that’s why we’ve put together this guide on five things you should consider before you decide medical tourism is for you.

1. Procedure being done

The first thing you’ll want to bear in mind is the actual procedure that you’re having done. Travelling abroad for a simple clean or oral health checkup isn’t advisable and will end up costing you more money than paying for it here in the UK. Simple dental procedures like a single filling or a root canal treatment are also often better carried out by UK dentists – not because of the standard of care, but because they’re simple in nature and the cost of the trip doesn’t typically represent good value. 

On the other hand, if you require more extensive dental treatment like dental implants to be done, or if you’re looking for cosmetic work such as veneers, composite bonding, Hollywood Smile, or zirconium/emax crowns, dental tourism could well prove to be the better option. This is because not only will you generally get a better deal and access to more affordable treatment, but you’ll find that the quality of dental care is equal to, if not better than, the medical care you receive in the UK.

2. Future dental care

The next thing you need to consider is future dental care. You should go to the dentist for a basic check up every six months, but you may need different types of appointments if you decide to get treatment. In addition, any treatment brings with it the risk of complications that may require care later down the line. For this reason, it’s best that you openly consult with your current dentist regarding your plans. 

They will be able to provide advice to you based on your dental history and provide reassurances about whether you could benefit from the treatment you want, or if it might actually hinder your dental health rather than help it. Whilst you’ll be provided a level of follow up treatment through medical tourism, this is not a replacement for your regular dentist, so it’s imperative that you speak to your long-term dental practice before undergoing any treatments.

3. Level of aftercare

On the subject of aftercare, it’s important that you consider what you’ll be getting. At Medical Travel Co., we are expert luxury facilitators of medical tourism dental treatments, and we work with a number of leading dental practices in Turkey that deliver medical treatment to a globally-revered standard. The difference between the clinics we work with and some other clinics is that the care doesn’t just stop in Turkey.

As mentioned, complications can arise at any point from any treatment, and that’s why it’s important to have a solid aftercare plan in place to mitigate the risk of serious issues later down the line and to ensure your treatment is well maintained. The clinics we work with are partnered with clinics here in the UK, meaning you will be looked after at home, just as you were at the dentist abroad.

If you opt to use an alternative provider, check what level of aftercare is available. The last thing you want is to have to fork out for an emergency dental appointment that lacks continuity of care because there isn’t a UK based dental clinic that works with your medical tourism provider to ensure uniformity across the board. Always ask questions about aftercare, remedial work, further treatment, a guarantee on the work being done, and what happens if you’re not happy with the results.

4. Qualifications

Dental issues can lead to not only a lot of toothache and oral pain, but issues elsewhere in your body, too. This is why it’s important that you consider a dental provider based on their experience and qualifications instead of price exclusively. Many of the dental providers in Turkey were trained in the UK or US and hold western qualifications from institutions like the General Dental Council, meaning the standard of care is equivalent to the UK and US, but it’s administered abroad for a more affordable price.

Whilst this is true for most providers, not all are trained to this standard, nor are they governed by professional regulatory bodies. All of the clinics we work with at Medical Travel Co. are regulated to an exemplary standard and every practitioner has western-standard qualifications, but always make sure you double check this information before travelling. If you choose a dentist that is not qualified or regulated, you may find your insurance is invalid should something go wrong with your dental procedure.

5. Initial consultation

The final thing you’ll want to consider before choosing to go abroad for treatment is the initial consultation. If a dental practitioner seems pushy or overly keen to get you on board, and they don’t ask questions about your general health or medical history, as well as your dental history, they should be avoided. As mentioned, your teeth can have a big impact on your overall health, and this is why an initial consultation where a full assessment is undertaken and questions surrounding your general health, dental health, and lifestyle should be included.

As is the case with medical tourism, you may undergo a consultation online or via a video call before an in-person consultation is carried out when you arrive. This is fairly standard, or it might be the case that you have a consultation at a partner clinic in the UK before flying out. Always check the process and make sure you use the consultation as a chance to ask any questions you may have, including testimonials from previous patients.