British NHS dentists were accused this week of over-treating patients to
maximise profits. A recent poll found that 7.4 million of us can't find an
NHS dentist and the cost of private treatment is enough to make us grind our
teeth. Is it any wonder then that more and more Brits seem to be travelling
abroad for dental care?
They're more than happy with the treatment they're getting from Hungarian,
Polish and Cypriot dentists, according to the first in-depth survey of
British “health tourists”, which shows that 75 per cent are “very satisfied”
with the treatment and results. But while the survey results are
overwhelmingly positive, there are still concerns from British health bodies
that pursuit of economy could put us at risk, and that many packages do not
make adequate provision if something goes wrong.
Ten years ago virtually no one had heard of health tourism, but now there's
such interest that the website Treatment Abroad (www.treatment abroad.com),
established in 2005 as a portal to help UK patients navigate private health
treatment overseas, gets a remarkable 50,000 visitors a month. Its survey of
650 health tourists who had used its website found that dental treatment is
the main reason for Brits travelling abroad, driven mainly by the need to
save on the cost of UK treatment (a crown in Hungary is half the British
cost). “There was no NHS dentist available and I wanted the quickest
treatment at the lowest cost,” one survey respondent said.
But it isn't just dentistry that's attracting Britons abroad. Clinics and
hospitals from all over the world offer packages and treatments in
dentistry, cosmetic surgery, fertility treatment and conventional surgery,
from heart bypasses to knee replacements, and about 40 of them will be
selling their services at the first Health Tourism Show at Olympia, West
London, which opens next Saturday. Some of the most popular destinations are
Belgium (convenient), Spain (familiar to Brits), India (marketing very
hard), and Cyprus (a good holiday destination).
Surgery costs can be much lower
According to the survey, the main motivation for visiting any of these
countries is not the excellence of their care but cost savings. Nose
reshaping treatment costs £1,500 in Croatia (before factoring in airfare and
accommodation) compared with £3,000 here, and nearly a fifth of those going
abroad for either conventional surgery or dental treatment believed that
they had saved about £10,000 on what the procedure would have cost in the
UK. So even in the face of a world financial crisis, health tourism may be a
business that continues to boom. One health tourism agency, the Taj Medical
Group, says that it organises surgery packages in India for about 40 Britons
every month.
Cleaner clinics
The Treatment Abroad survey reveals increasing confidence among British people
in standards of cleanliness and clinical efficiency of foreign clinics,
alongside disillusionment about British hospital hygiene. Nearly 40 per cent
of those questioned said that worries about hospital infections in Britain
influenced their decision to seek treatment abroad. But an impressive 83 per
cent said that they were satisfied with the surgery they had received abroad
and only 5 per cent said that they were dissatisfied, a rating any NHS
hospital would be delighted with. Nine out of ten respondents were very
satisfied or quite satisfied with their experience of treatment abroad
generally.
Lack of research
If the survey paints an unexpectedly positive picture about health tourism,
its findings also have to be viewed with some caution. Those polled were
volunteers rather than a truly representative cross section. There is still
an enormous knowledge gap about travelling abroad, with Britons having to
rely on largely anecdotal accounts from past visitors and claims from
clinics. Body&Soul identified the problem two years ago, when it
published a health tourism supplement highlighting that no independent body
was collecting information on the quality of treatment overseas. That is
still the case. The best we have is a survey from Treatment Abroad, a
commercial venture, and its gradually growing online database of patient
experiences.
British doctors remain wary
Professional bodies such as the British Medical Association and the British
Dental Association are still wary of British patients going abroad for
treatment, and stress the importance of talking to home doctors/dentists.
Some of the patient quotations in the new survey support their caution:
“Very little information was given upfront,” said one; “It can feel lonely
if you're there on your own,” said another.
It's up to the individual patient to assess the hospital or clinic's
reputation, the surgeon's qualifications, what sort of insurance, aftercare
and follow-up is on offer, and whether there will be any language
difficulties. “Patients should investigate the health and safety standards
of the facilities where they are to be treated and the potential impact of
long-distance travel on their recovery,” the BMA says.
British dentists too are concerned that Britons' enthusiasm for their overseas
treatment might be tempered later when things start to go wrong with their
filling, bridge or crown. The British Dental Association says that some of
its members have had to carry out remedial work - which the patient will
have to pay for.
“Anyone thinking about having dental treatment overseas must make sure that
they are aware of the potential risks and the hidden costs,” said John
Hilsdon, a BDA spokesman.
Keith Pollard, the founder of Treatment Abroad, agrees that people need to do
their research before booking, for example finding out about the accrediting
bodies for doctors and dentists in the relevant country (they can be found
on the Treatment Abroad website). But he points out the irony that this is
something we would never do if seeking treatment in this country. “Maybe
health tourism has something to tell us about being more diligent about
checking qualifications in the UK too,” he said.
Whatever the risk, British patients are packing their suitcases and voting for
overseas treatment with their feet. Let's just hope that they are consulting
more than a Let's Go travel guide before booking.
The Health Tourism Show runs from October 25-26 at London's Olympia. For more
details, log on to www.treatmentabroad.com
Dental treatment
Top three destinations
Hungary, Poland, Turkey
Satisfied 91.2%
Dissatisfied 9.8%
Most popular treatment: dental implant
UK cost £2,000
Turkey £570
Poland £750
Hungary £827
Cosmetic surgery
Top three destinations
Spain, Belgium, Cyprus
Satisfied 86.8%
Dissatisfied 13.2%
Most popular treatment: breast enlargement
UK cost £4,350
Belgium £1,833,
Cyprus £2,652,
Spain £3,240
Surgery
Top three destinations
Belgium, Spain, India
Satisfied 94.9%
Dissatisfied 5.1%
Most popular treatment: Hip replacement
UK cost £8,000
India £3,537
Belgium £5,585
Spain £5,695
Fertility treatment
Top three destinations
Spain, Cyprus, Turkey
Satisfied 84.6%
Dissatisfied 15.4%
Most popular treatment: One cycle of IVF
UK cost £4,000-£8,000
Spain £2,368
Cyprus £2,200
Turkey £1,500
Source: www.treatmentabroad.com
Cost is for treatment only, not travel and accommodation
What to check before you go
Do as much research as possible. Read all you can and talk to people
who have had surgery abroad.
Speak to your GP or dentist about going abroad for treatment.
Think about how far you want to travel. Choosing a location closer to
home means less time off work, and less distance to travel if you need
follow-up treatment.
Compare the costs, credentials and services of clinics. Ask how they
measure success rates. This is especially important if you're considering
IVF treatment.
Ask to speak to former patients. Good clinics will allow you to do
this. Question the clinic on possible complications. If you are having
cosmetic treatment, ask to see before-and-after pictures of other patients.
Check the fine print. Make sure that you fully understand what you will
and won't be paying for, and what happens if a complication arises or
surgery is cancelled.
Check the qualifications of the doctor or dentist. Find out what are
needed in the country where you will be having treatment.
Ask if the clinic has an intensive care unit and “crash cart” for
resuscitation.
Think about taking a friend or family member with you. It will bump up
costs but the extra support may make a big difference.
Make sure that all your questions are answered before you go. Check
every detail of the agreement, and ask someone else to look over it.
Trust your instincts. If you are unhappy with the clinic or it seems
unwilling to provide information, don't go.
What happens if something goes wrong?
Clarify with the clinic exactly what will happen if something goes wrong after
you've returned home. Will it pay for flights? Does it have a UK
representative or clinic that will be able to deal with any post-treatment
problems or complications?
The NHS will treat life-threatening complications, but any other problems will
have to be fixed by you, either by going back to the clinic where you had
treatment, or paying for private treatment in the UK.
If you resort to legal action, this will have to be done through the local
authorities in the country where you received treatment.
More information at treatmentabroad.com,
revahealth.com , www.nhs.uk
, hfea.gov.uk
The Treatment Abroad survey of medical tourists reveals the highs and lows
of health tourism (the responses were anonymous):
“Dentist had basic language skills, but the proprietor was fluent in English
and was able to communicate very efficiently at all levels”
“Apart from the discomfort of over two hours of drilling on my first
appointment, I had very few problems”
“An excellent way to obtain treatment at a sensible price”
“Felt like they were mostly interested in your money and getting you out the
door”
“The clinics were very caring, not just technically good. I wish my own
dentist was half as interested in his patients”
“I e-mailed the surgeon telling him I was concerned about the droopiness of my
eyelids and never received a reply”
“As a nurse of many years I can, with a high degree of knowledge, say that I
have never been in a more dangerous situation”
“The company did not state on its website that the price you pay is dependant
on the exchange rate, so I ended up paying more than originally quoted”
I use dental students and pay cash. They work in the classroom after hours or come to my home. I have had minor surgery preformed by iraqi doctors who are exiles who can't get a licence in the UK.
Another option is to use a vet. They have to learn human and animal science and are cheap
tom, Surrey, UK
Extensive dental work in the UK - £6,700. Remedial work here in Crete (actually the same work needed doing over again because of very shoddy workmanship in the UK) €2,300. Highest standards, excellent dentist - results 4 years on speak for themselves!
Barbara Finch Turner, RETHYMNON, CRETE
I know friends who go to India for dental treatment, having been horrified at what the dentists in the UK would do and the cost. They are more than happy with the care taken by Indian dentists. My recent experience with a local NHS dentist was appalling. The GDC and BMA are self promoting.
Edna Fletcher, Sussex,
I've been running an English speaking dental clinic for Brits through http://www.dentalholiday.co.uk for the past 4 years now, and can only say that the trend in increasing for dental treatment abroad. The standards, costs and time involved cannot simply be beaten in the UK without a huge turnaround
Daniel, Piestany, Slovakia
I had a day procedure in Belgium with a world renowned professor who actually improved it so that recovery time is less painful and shorter than usual. The hospital was very clean and nurses were great with good English. Flights, hotel, procedure, drugs, consultation incl were 3 times less than UK.
Jane, London,
I've had operations that went wrong in the UK and had a hell of a time getting any help after the last surgeon messed up because everyone in the same specialty in London knew him and wouldn't touch me because they'd have to admit he'd messed up and his reputation is more important than my health.
Thalia, London,