The rise of dental tourism

04.What to look for

What to look out for if you consider going overseas

• Research online or try and visit the hospital beforehand. Look for a review or for places recommended by expatriates living in that country. Many hospitals provide background details on their dentists, including qualifications and where they trained. 
• Ask questions Ask for a full treatment plan and about the time frame as well as the total costs. 
• Make time Don’t book an inflexible airfare or limited annual leave as you may need to stay longer than expected. 
• Accept that you may need to go back for more work and you may lose the savings you made initially. 

If you stay at home...

• Extras insurance will help pay for some dental costs, but it won’t pay for everything. 
• Set up a fund if extras insurance is too costly, consider putting aside money each month for future dental costs. It takes discipline, but the alternative is far worse. 
• Check the details Serious oral and maxillofacial surgery may fall under your hospital insurance. 
• Look after your teeth Good preventative dental care will help avoid problems in the first place.