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Release: Immediate
National Dental Helpline getting calls from patients in pain from dodgy dental treatment abroad
Date: 25/09/2007
Release: Immediate
The UK's leading oral health charity has issued a warning against travelling abroad for dental treatment after a spate of calls to its Dental Helpline from people who have encountered problems.
The British Dental Health Foundation advice follows on from news that the number of UK people looking for information on dental tourism through the Internet reached almost 60,000 last month — a rise of 50% from the month before.
The fast growing trend has even led to a number of UK–based agencies setting up to offer cut–price 'dental holidays' for people who want to save money on dental treatment while taking a short break.
However the practice has been labelled 'a massive risk' by the Foundation, which has received calls from patients who returned home in severe pain and needed further treatment to correct poor quality dental work — at an additional cost of several thousand pounds.
Dr Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, commented: "It is a big worry that so many people are now willing to travel abroad for dental treatment without being fully aware of the risks.
"Not all dentists are as highly trained as those in the UK, where extensive training and strict examinations are undertaken to ensure they meet the high standards required.
"So called 'dental holidays' are presented as a cheap and hassle free alternative to getting treatment in this country but we know from calls to our Dental Helpline that if things go wrong then nothing could be further from the truth.
"It is totally unrealistic to expect that complicated procedures that can take months to complete in this country can be carried out to the same high standard while on a 10–day holiday — but unfortunately that is the myth being sold to people."
Callers to the British Dental Health Foundation Dental Helpline (0845 063 1188) have complained of facing dental bills of up to £10,000 to correct poor quality dental work, while one caller had to be taken to A&E to drain an infection after her face swelled up so that she could not open her eye.
Dr Carter continued: "If you are going abroad it is unlikely to be for a simple procedure and, of course, complicated treatments are more likely to cause problems. After all, styles and standards of dentistry can vary a great deal from one country to another.
"The question is what will you do when something goes wrong?
"If something does go wrong then there are all sorts of questions that you will need to ask yourself. For example are you willing to fly back? What are your legal rights as a foreign patient? Are you prepared to go through the courts? Do you have the money required to correct the treatment in this country?
"When you are in pain and feel distressed because treatment has gone wrong then these decisions can become even harder to make.
"It is understandable that people look for ways of saving money on expensive procedures and if you are in a position where you can afford to take a calculated risk — because you have the funds set aside for when things do go wrong – then you might decide that it is worth taking the chance.
"However, the British Dental Health Foundation strongly recommends against going abroad for dental treatment.
"Remember, prices can vary in the UK, so take the time to shop around in this country before considering travelling abroad. You can also look into the various payment options to help you spread the cost of treatment.
"Cash plans, maintenance schemes and capitation plans can all help make dental treatment more affordable so be sure to consider all of your options before making a decision. Regular dental visits are vital and you may find that treatment in this country is not as expensive as you think."
The British Dental Health Foundation produce a patient information leaflet on 'Paying for Dental Treatment'. For a free copy send a SAE to British Dental Health Foundation, Smile House, 2 East Union Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV22 6AJ.
For free impartial advice from a qualified dental advisor call the Dental Helpline on 0845 063 1188 or alternatively visit the website www.dentalhealth.org
ENDS
Editor's notes
For further information please contact the Foundation's Press Office on 0870 770 4014.
The British Dental Health Foundation is the UK's leading oral health charity, with a 35–year track record of providing public information and influencing government policy. It maintains a free consumer advice service, an impartial and objective product accreditation scheme, publishes and distributes a wide range of literature for the profession and consumers, and runs National Smile Month each May, to promote greater awareness of the benefits of better oral health.
The Dental Helpline, which offers free impartial dental advice to consumers, can be contacted on 0845 063 1188 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or by e–mailing helpline@dentalhealth.org.uk.
If you do not wish to receive further press releases from the British Dental Health Foundation, please reply to this e–mail.
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