Some sources suggest that the mouth is the most expensive part of the body to treat, with expenditure likely exceeding that for cancer, heart disease, stroke or dementia. Oral disease treatments are costly and usually not part of universal health coverage (UHC).

Lack of access to oral healthcare continues to be a big problem for many people out there. Higher treatment costs, long waiting lists, and a shortage of local clinics or good dentists are some of the main reasons for oral health inequalities.

Dental implants remain the most expensive treatment for tooth loss, and with about 30% of Europeans aged 65–74 years having no natural teeth, which affects their quality of life, it's no surprise that people look for more affordable alternatives abroad.

However, the process of getting dental implants abroad has its pitfalls around finding the right clinic, deciding on the best treatment, and managing the trip. So, we've mapped the steps to take if you're on the verge of having your dental implants elsewhere and not at home.

1. Dental clinics' research

Finding the right dental clinic and team is vital for the success of your treatment. There are two ways to do that.

Do it yourself

You roll-up sleeves, block timeslots in your schedule and start searching for dental clinics online. What you need to look for we call 'signs of trustworthiness', which include accreditations, reviews, dentists' areas of expertise, education and experience, before and after cases, guarantees and spoken languages.

No part of this list but equally important is to check which dental implant systems are on offer. Why does that matter? Getting premium quality implants is key to your treatment success and aftercare. If the dental clinic of your choice trusts global companies like Straumann, OSSTEM, Hiossen or Zimmer, you can be sure that whichever dentist you visit, he'll be able to find components and service the implant.

READ: DOES IMPLANT BRAND MATTER? UNBIASED OVERVIEW

Another point to consider is destination accessibility. You should expect at least two round trips to the clinic, so you want to make sure that the location is easily accessible via flights or other means of transportation.

When searching and comparing dental clinics abroad, it's pivotal to get as much information as possible to make an informed decision. Our advice is to have a list of questions sent to each dental clinic you feel might be the one. Although the dental treatment cost can be a tempting guiding light to follow, don't fall into the cost comparison trap without assessing the abovementioned signs of trustworthiness.

Does this sound like too much work to do on your own? 

Find a dental tourism facilitator

The role of the dental tourism expert is to help you navigate the world of international dentistry and make an informed decision about your dental implant treatment while saving you time, stress and money.

From being the first point of contact to planning the whole journey, the dental tourism facilitator is a one-stop solution for the seeking patient. 

One of the cutting edges to dental tourism agencies like Dentaround is that we already have done the initial research and clinic assessment. We've personally vetted every clinic we partner with as we are the patient.

We've developed our own set of criteria based on which we rate and select our partnering clinics.

A dental tourism facilitator adds value to your treatment abroad in many ways that include coordinating appointments and assisting with cultural and language differences. Beyond that, you get a local expert with sufficient knowledge and understanding of the industry that can inform you about treatment options and comparative benefits at the various clinics. 

VIEW OUR ACCREDITED CLINICS IN BURGAS, PLOVDIV AND VARNA

2. Getting a treatment plan

There are two ways to receive a detailed plan for your dental implant treatment.

Online

Once you select a clinic, the next step is to get a dental treatment plan specifically designed around your case, wants and level of anxiety. It's essential to understand that you cannot receive an accurate treatment plan without providing your dentist with a recent X-ray or 3D CT scan (bone graft and sinus lift often make up most of the treatment cost, and the degree of bone loss is hard to detect without a 3D scan). Not saying that you cannot get one by sending pictures of your smile, but that plan will be far from reality, and so its final cost. 

After you have the initial treatment plan, you need to understand it to make the most out of it. We recommend discussing the treatment and any related questions you may have with your dentist over email or phone. That will give you a good grasp of the suggested techniques, procedures and materials.  

Another point to consider is that the initial treatment plan cost will most likely change after you visit the clinic and undergo a detailed examination. The check-up usually reveals other undermining problems unnoticeable with a simple panoramic X-ray.

Even though getting a tailored treatment plan over the Internet has its downfalls, it's thus far the quickest and easiest way for you to form an idea of your treatment options and related costs. 

In-person

The best way to get a customised treatment plan with costs and timescales is to visit your selected clinic and have a throughout check-up and necessary diagnostics. We believe that connecting with your dentist person-to-person is fundamental for your peace of mind and the success of your dental treatment. 

At Dentaround, we've created the Meet Your Dentist package for those willing to take the flight, meet their dental team and get a detailed treatment plan from the get-go. This package includes everything to make an informed decision about having your dental implants abroad. The entire process takes three working days, allowing you to have some additional procedures along the way, like teeth whitening, scale and polishing while enjoying a relaxed city break.

EXPLORE OUR MEET YOUR DENTIST PACKAGE 

3. Planning the trip

Right! You're happy with the treatment plan. Now it's time to plan your visit to the clinic. 

Yourself

You can nail down the whole trip yourself or ask if the clinic offers such services. Either way, you'd want to have your appointment date confirmed before jumping on tickets, accommodation and insurance. 

Check for available flights in line with your dental appointments, and look for accommodation according to your likes, preferably within a short walking distance of the clinic. Figure out how you'll get from the airport to your stay. If you're opting for a shuttle, try to book it in advance. 

Make a checklist of all the things you need to take care of, like travel and medical documentation, insurance, COVID-19 tests and visas if required and follow it strictly. If you fancy a memorable city break, plan for your free time.

With an expert

Finding a reliable dental tourism facilitator opens a whole new world. Having an expert with a deep grip on the process and the destination saves you time and cash. Facilitators nurture long-held partnerships with the top local stays and places to eat and are insider sources for the best things to do while the treatment lasts.

A dental tourism facilitator saves you enough time to focus on your treatment and healing process. Priceless. Calmness and relaxation help the body recover quickly, especially after surgical procedures like dental implant placement. This fact alone is enough to consider professional support.

Are you wondering how we do it? As our client, you choose from a unique selection of stays at special prices, pre-arranged meal plans with softer and more nutritious food for all stages of your dental implant treatment and exciting experiences for your leisure time.

4. Dental treatment

At this stage, you're one step closer to your new smile. Whether you get a single implant placement or full mouth rehabilitation with dental implants, we highly recommend having a companion during the treatment process. If you have dentophobia, low blood pressure, or are getting sedation, you'll want to have a friend, spouse or family member by your side to keep an eye on you after the procedures. 

We know that adding a mate to the trip can be impractical, but the benefits of having all-time assistance outreach any increased costs.

The dental implant journey is both physically and emotionally challenging. Personal support throughout every step of your experience is what makes the difference between doing it yourself and finding someone that will support you along the way, not just via phone, Whatsapp, or email, but by being there physically with you like we do here in Dentaround.
 

5. Follow-up and aftercare

The aftercare policy is one of the main aspects to consider when selecting a dental clinic abroad. You'd have informed yourself about your dental clinic's aftercare policy before your treatment started. It's important to know what follows if complications occur abroad or back home. Complications are unlikely to happen, but rarely, do such arise even if the treatment was on the mark. 

Also, you'll want to know your patient rights and the governing legislation in the country you are visiting. 

A local dental tourism facilitator would already have figured this out, guiding you through your patient rights and what to expect in terms of aftercare. 

Ask your dentist to give you detailed instructions on how to take care of your new teeth, as dental implant success and longevity depend on that. 

To sum up

Regardless if you decide to embark on this journey alone or with a dental tourism agency, do your diligent research, look for signs of trustworthiness (like qualifications, reviews, dentists' education and experience, before and after cases, etc.), and ask questions. 

Keen on dental travel with an agency like Dentaround? Check out our full range of dental implant packages ready to be tailored according to your case here. 

 

Photo by Bogdan condr on Unsplash