Dental Tourism: The Hidden Dangers of Having Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments Abroad

A growing number of citizens from Western countries such as Australia are considering cosmetic dental treatments abroad post-Covid-19. The increase in the cost of living and the comparable cost of dental interventions in Australia makes shopping around for a cheaper alternative overseas that little bit more enticing. Dental tourism, as it is known, refers to travelling to countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, seeking more affordable cosmetic treatments.

Whilst Malaysia and Thailand are only a short trip from Australia and the idea of being in a tropical paradise to recover from a dental procedure is a nice thought, there are risks involved that, in our opinion, outweigh any benefit that comes from dental tourism.

If you are travelling abroad for dental treatments, especially the more invasive cosmetic treatments, it is important you are fully aware of what to expect and the risks that are involved. Seeking treatments in Australia, you may know how to raise concerns about your treatments with your cosmetic dentist in one of the pre-treatment appointments and do not have to consider any language barrier. However, ask yourself if you are familiar with or aware of the cosmetic dental treatment process in a foreign country.

Accountability of Overseas Providers

Unless you are planning on staying overseas for an extended amount of time, the initial consultations and aftercare typically extend into the weeks and months on either side of the actual cosmetic procedure. If you are not staying overseas having effective aftercare is more challenging and that is if it is even offered.

Potential complications that we have seen arise from overseas dental treatments include prosthetics made from inferior materials that have to be replaced back home as there is a lack of accountability from the overseas provider.

Dental Tourism Risks for Cosmetic Dental Treatments

If you are a person who suffers from dental anxiety or has an underlying condition that impacts your ability to have cosmetic dental treatments, a language barrier between yourself and your overseas dental provider can be an issue.

Hygiene standards are a complete unknown and a clinic abroad with lower hygiene standards could result in you putting yourself at risk from exposure to bacteria and viruses from cross-contaminated dental equipment.

An unclean environment increases the risk of contracting viruses like HIV and hepatitis B and C. Tap water in some environments may be used during the procedure, which, depending on the area, may contain bacteria that can make you sick.

Dental staff in the clinics may not have undertaken the necessary training relevant to cosmetic dental treatments, raising issues of poor workmanship, patient care, and infection through cross-contamination. In comparison to Australia, dental nurses and assisting staff have had to go through a thorough and standard degree of training in order to work alongside a specialist dentist. Specialist dentists, such as prosthodontists, have themselves gone through several years of training to achieve their qualifications so that they can provide treatments such as veneers, implants, dentures, and complete mouth restorations.

Dentistry in Australia is highly regulated. Dental cosmetic treatments can optimally provided by a specialist dentist, such as a prosthodontist. It’s unknown how many, if any, of the overseas dental providers in countries like Thailand adhere to the same high-quality dental standards and liability as the professionals located in Australia.

Importance of Dental Regulatory Bodies

In Australia, all general dentists and specialist dentists, including prosthodontists, must be registered with the Dental Board of Australia, which sets the professional standards that must be adhered to. There is no guarantee that dental providers in other countries where cosmetic treatments may be cheaper, follow anything like the high standards that are placed on Australian practitioners.

Dental regulatory bodies, like the Dental Board of Australia and associated bodies like the Australian Dental Association, may not exist in other countries, so it’s important to do some research if you are considering having treatments abroad. We would always strongly recommend against travelling abroad for any dental treatments; however, look to see whether that country has a professional regulatory body. Is it compulsory for dental professionals to be registered with them?

Consult an Australian Specialist Dentist

It’s always a good idea to speak with a local specialist dentist or prosthodontist when you are considering dental tourism for your preferred cosmetic dental treatments. They will offer advice based on your own dental history and provide you with a detailed description of the treatment process that you could undergo and the aftercare process that is required.

Whilst dental tourism sounds appealing in that you are combining a scenic setting with what may be cheaper cosmetic treatments, you are potentially trading affordability with serious long-term repercussions that may require you to seek additional or corrective treatments back in Australia to address the issues.

Cosmetic dentistry should be carried out by a prosthodontist, which in itself should make you question the qualifications of any overseas dental treatment provider. Prosthodontists are specialist dentists who have completed their general dental training at a university for a minimum of 5 years and have practised general dentistry for at least 2 years before undertaking an additional 3-year full-time university course that leads to specialist registration with the Dental Board of Australia.

Questions to Ask When Researching Your Specialist Dentist

• Who will be carrying out my treatment and what qualifications do they have?  
• What ongoing aftercare do you provide? 
• Will the dental team speak English? If not, will you provide an experienced translator? 
• Do you have any references or testimonials from previous patients? 
• How many times have you carried out the procedure I am having? What are the rates of success, complication, readmission, and infection? 
• Are you regulated by a professional body and are you registered with them? 
• Is the work guaranteed for a certain period of time? 
• What happens if I am unhappy with the results? Who pays for the extra flights, hotel, and remedial work? 
• If there are complications and I need further treatment, is this included in the initial cost?  
• Do you have insurance to cover this procedure? 
• Do you have a complaints system in place? Can I see a copy of it? 
• Who can I contact for advice after the treatment? 

Second Opinion from a Prosthodontist

We will always urge outpatients to avoid travelling abroad for any dental treatments when there is a high level of uncertainty about the final outcome. At Western Prosthodontic Centre, we follow an ethical and honest approach to dentistry. If we feel a particular treatment option is not right for you, we will advise you and refer you to the appropriate provider.

Many of our patients have come to us for a second opinion on the treatment options their dentist has recommended. If you’re wondering if you should seek a second opinion for your dental treatment, then you probably should. Most people are happy to gain a second opinion when it comes to their medical health but aren’t so sure about dental issues.

For general and specialist dentists, second opinions are part of the doctrine and professional code, so they expect some patients will want to get more information to allow them to make an informed decision.

For more information on our treatments using porcelain veneers, click here, or for more information on all our treatments for cosmetic dentistry, click here. If you have any queries about mouth restorations or prosthodontics, or if you require a second opinion, call us on (08) 9321 1632 or book an appointment.