Getting Dental Work Overseas?

retailsaver on 16/07/2023 - 04:07
Last edited 16/07/2023 - 10:43 by 1 other user

I've recently been told by an Australian dentist I need quite a few treatments / procedures on many of my teeth (root canals, crowns, wisdom teeth removal, filings). If I do the procedures in Australia, I'll be out of pocket over $10,000.

In true OzBargain spirit, I'm looking for cheaper alternatives overseas.

Has anyone had similar work done overseas, and if so, would they recommend it (instead of paying 2-10x more in Australia)?

The work I need done isn't really optional, since I live with tooth pain almost every day (yes, I shouldn't have let it get this bad in the first place).

Health & Beauty Dental

Comments

  • screensaver on 16/07/2023 - 06:00

    I still get emails from an Indian clinic, very good prices and reviews. In Mumbai I think

    • EightImmortals on 16/07/2023 - 06:46
      +2

      Is it this guy?

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoBYttpiqg8

      srsly though OP, just get the procedures done here in order of importance or work out a payment plan with your dentist. Once you take into account airfares, accommodation, food plus the cost of any remedial work if you require it it probably just doesn't add up.

      • Sinnerator on 16/07/2023 - 08:56
        +2

        So OP should do the math first?

  • Bourb on 16/07/2023 - 06:48

    Just be aware that most Travel Insurance Policies have restrictions if you are travelling overseas for any type of medical treatment.

  • Drpepper666 on 16/07/2023 - 07:22
    +3

    Some pommy Uber driver told me he goes to the Philippines for dental surgery and it's cheaper including the flights. He also said the women there are gorgeous… Enjoy OP!

    • retailsaver on 16/07/2023 - 15:33

      Any chance he mentioned which city or even clinic he attends?

      • AdosHouse on 16/07/2023 - 15:50
        +3

        Or which women he attends?

  • HardQuiz on 16/07/2023 - 08:03
    +1

    Factor into your decision making process any complications that require follow up or immediate emergency procedure.

  • branners on 16/07/2023 - 08:15
    +7

    Good question.
    Some years ago my wife had a break in a filling while we were in Ho Chi Minh City and the hotel staff recommended a nearby dental clinic (we were staying in District 1).
    They made a call for us and after a 5 minute cab ride, we arrived at a place called White Star Dental. She reported to reception and filled in the paperwork and after a 10-minute wait, she went off to one of the rooms.
    I checked out the waiting area, it was immaculate and the staff were friendly, and all spoke good English.
    After about 20 minutes she reappeared. I asked if they had done a patch-up but she said, nope, new filling. She said it was amazing, no pain at all, very professional and that her dentist (a woman in her late-20s) was very pleased to show her the diploma she got from Boston College in the USA.
    Less than a third of the cost of getting work done in Oz. The filling is still good some years later. In a similar situation I would go back there in a heartbeat.

      • CodeXD on 16/07/2023 - 15:03

        You serious…? They had it in the first sentence of their experience.

        • subywagon on 16/07/2023 - 15:06

          haha, I sped read it and missed it. Being hungover is my excuse :P

    • retailsaver on 16/07/2023 - 15:34
      +1

      Do you mind sharing the name / address / website of the clinic who did your wife's work?

  • Adredocto on 16/07/2023 - 08:16
    +1

    I've done annual check up and clean in bangkok several times. Internationally trained dentists and first class service and facilities. Have never needed anything substantial but I'd feel comfortable doing it there.

    • UnemployedDeveloper on 16/07/2023 - 09:54
      +1

      I'm in bkk and need the usual annual teeth cleaning, would you have a clinic to recommend? Cheers!

      • randomusername2017 on 16/07/2023 - 10:22

        They have KFC in Thailand?

      • ms_caz on 16/07/2023 - 22:14

        Thantakit International Dental Center https://www.thantakit.com/

        Have been there numerous times. Husband has had crowns, root canal, fillings and implants. Mine have just been cleans and checkups.

        Highly recommended- great service, great dental work. Prices on website. Was much cheaper for us (combined with a holiday) than just the work in Australia

        • UnemployedDeveloper on 17/07/2023 - 07:27

          I appreciate your feedback. I do have bigger works to do on my teeth like a crown so will have a look! Cheers

  • Sinnerator on 16/07/2023 - 08:57

    Do the math first
    Beware of FAKE reviews
    I would consider overseas compared to rip off Australia

    • retailsaver on 16/07/2023 - 15:23

      Any tips of how to discern real reviews from fake reviews?

  • AustriaBargain on 16/07/2023 - 09:30
    +1

    I've always heard Thailand and Hungary are popular dental destinations. You'll pay less than 10k for the treatment you need, plus you might consider getting extra treatment, like veneers or implants. So maybe you might even pay more. Just research too how much it costs to maintain veneers for example. But wouldn't that Hollywood smile boost your confidence?

    • pharkurnell on 16/07/2023 - 12:14
      +1

      Mate did the Thailand one I believe. All up airfares, accomm, treatment was still less than he was quoted here… and got a holiday out of it

      YMMV

      • AustriaBargain on 16/07/2023 - 12:26
        +3

        I don't doubt it. People tell me they pay like $5,000 here just for a single root canal and crown. It's a great shame that dental isn't covered by single payer state healthcare, it would remove a lot of the inefficiencies around dental and people would have better dental health, and some of the budget would be used on dental hygiene education to further lower costs. I bet you that private dentists don't have much to gain from national dental hygiene campaign.

  • morse on 16/07/2023 - 09:52

    If it’s only $10k in Australia the cost of overseas travel might not be worth the saving. Hotels, flights, travel insurance, additional time off work. If it was more expensive it would make more sense. I think Thailand is meant to be pretty good.

    • AustriaBargain on 16/07/2023 - 11:17
      +2

      A lot of the dental destinations include a quality hotel. Sure they may charge more than a smaller clinic in the same country, but I think I'd like the idea of going to a huge dental hospital full of expert dentists, and staying at a resort built into the hospital. Has to be the best place in the world to experience a dental emergency.

      • retailsaver on 16/07/2023 - 15:27

        A built in quality hotel would be great. Do you know which overseas cities have this?

    • retailsaver on 16/07/2023 - 15:42

      Realistically if I fix all the issues with my teeth (even current non-critical issues), I'd be looking at $15,000 - $20,000 to get the work done in Australia.

      I've calculated I can probably pay half that including airfares and accommodation at somewhere like Manila, Philippines.

      Haven't researched Thailand yet, I assume Bangkok would be your recommendation in Thailand?

      • morse on 17/07/2023 - 04:26
        +1

        Yep makes more sense if it’s more expensive. I haven’t done it myself but I have had a friend had a different surgery in Thailand in an in an international hospital in Bangkok when they were living elsewhere in Asia without issue. I also have some extended family who are Thai and they have had a lot of work done with no dramas. Sorry couldn’t tell you the names of the hospitals.

        Just be aware of reviews for Thai dentists and hospitals as leaving bad reviews isn’t really a thing in Thailand. Pretty much everything is considered defamation even if it’s true, and there are consequences for people leaving bad reviews. Best to get a recommendation from someone you know who has been to a particular dentist.

  • SydBoy on 16/07/2023 - 10:35

    Depends upon who you know overseas … if you don't know the doctor through you family & friend (doesn't matter where that doctor is)… then not worth taking risk .. !

    • AustriaBargain on 16/07/2023 - 11:32

      I had a dentist once with warm hands, that's probably worth paying the premium for.

  • dtc on 16/07/2023 - 10:48

    Thailand and Malaysia (KL mostly)

    India and Philippines if you do your research

    You can easily find a dentist who was trained in Europe or US or Australia.

    Will it be cheaper - not necessarily once you factor in airfares etc and don’t forget you won’t have your support resources (family etc) overseas. You might have nursing care but it’s not entirely the same

  • Phlume on 16/07/2023 - 11:39
    +1

    Have had a great success with dental work overseas. The quality of dentists can vary but if you do the proper research, you can find plenty of excellent dentists in countries like Vietnam or Thailand.

    Even with the associated costs of airfares and hotel/airbnb costs, I've found that it is still considerably cheaper to do dental overseas as long as it is not emergency procedures. Added benefit of enjoying a nice holiday as you complete the works.

    • retailsaver on 16/07/2023 - 15:29

      What type of work did you have done and which country / city was it at?

      • Phlume on 16/07/2023 - 23:06
        +1

        I have had check ups, cleanings & scaling, fillings and crowns completed in HCM City in Vietnam at international clinics. Quite inexpensive when compared to the dental work completed here and with the added benefit of being able to enjoy the local food.

  • peacefulpeanut on 16/07/2023 - 12:58

    I did periodontal maintenance in Manila because doing so in Sydney would cost a lot. This was quite critical and the treatment was also a preventive measure. But the timing was right: I was working in the Philippines at that time so all cost associated with the treatment was covered by work insurance. The dentist was recommended by local expat communities and the work was excellent as of today as attested by my dentist in Australia.

    • tallkid123 on 16/07/2023 - 13:17
      +1

      Would you be able to share the name of the dentistry practice you went to?

      I'm moving to Manila in a few weeks and will eventually need someone.

      • peacefulpeanut on 16/07/2023 - 13:26
        +2

        Leticia Miranda Masui, DMD. Mind you, I saw her about 10 years ago. I just checked my invoice from her clinic, the address is still the same as in that PH yellow pages. Please check with your local mates.

  • screensaver on 16/07/2023 - 13:25

    The Indian one is Signature Smiles https://signaturesmiles.in/

  • Tee Rex Arms on 16/07/2023 - 15:05

    Turkey for veneers

  • ms_caz on 16/07/2023 - 22:21
    +1

    Mentioned earlier in the thread - Thantakit in Bangkok.

    The only part of my husband’s implant we had done here in Australia was an oral bone graft which was about $800. The remainder, done over a couple of trips, was done by Thantakit and was cheaper with flights and accommodation for equivalent to the highest quality implants available in Australia.

    Definitely recommended.

  • life is suffering on 17/07/2023 - 13:33

    Always get it done in India. If you are there for a few weeks it's good. But travelling to India is like 2500$ lol

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