Long queues to sign on for an NHS dentist and the high cost of private treatment in the UK are just two reasons why dental tourism from the UK has taken off in a big way.

Two countries have put themselves on the map: Poland and Hungary — where the qualifications for dentists are rigorous, and which are supplying dentists to fill gaps in NHS dentistry. Now there are dozens of agencies specialising in brokering deals between desperate or thrifty British patients, and dental practices throughout Eastern Europe and other countries.

Freddie Cato, 56, from Romford in Essex, needed root canal work on four teeth. He went to Poland because he couldn’t find an NHS dentist, and had been quoted over £1,000 by UK private dentists, some charge £700 a tooth for such work. A dental tourism agency called OuchMyTooth put him in touch with Cezary Turotowski, a dentist in Poland, who could do the work for e100 a tooth — about £270 altogether.

“I e-mailed him to get some details and make the appointment. I asked about hotels, and he booked one for me. The Ryanair ticket cost £30, and when I arrived a cab was waiting to take me to the hotel.

“The surgery was clean and equipped with modern instruments, and the staff were friendly. We agreed on the treatment, and I had it done there and then. I was in the chair for three hours. The treatment wasn’t pleasant but the dentist was professional, and I’ve had no problems since. In fact, I’ve just gone back and had porcelain crowns fitted.”

Poland, like Hungary, has more dentists per head than most European countries, hence the desire to attract business from farther afield. In fact, Polish dentists now advertise in Ryanair’s in-flight magazine. The benefit for tourists is no waiting times and state-of-the-art clinics. Hungary has long been popular with health tourists from nearby Germany and low-cost carriers flying into Budapest from Britain have brought a new influx. The low costs in Eastern Europe help too — Cato’s hotel was just £40 a night.

Like Cato, many people who find European dentists do so through the growing band of agencies such as OuchMyTooth, set up by Asger Mønster Frydkjaer in Denmark five years ago after he discovered that he could get dental treatment for half the price in neighbouring Sweden. He says: “We can provide details of a dentist for you to make arrangements direct or run through the decisions with you, and arrange your appointment, travel and accommodation. The only profit we make is through advertising as our philosophy is to be good at dentistry, not make money from hotels and travel.”

The agency has 45 clinics registered in Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, France and Spain, all of which, it says, are monitored for standards of hygiene and treatment. Only clinics with certified surgeons are recommended for tooth implants.

The main failings of treatment on a flying visit to the Continent is lack of come-back and the possible extra expense if something goes wrong. OuchMyTooth stipulates that its clients take out travel insurance to cover any problems while staying in accommodation organised by the clinic, but this might not cover the cost and inconvenience of travelling back for additional work if the treatment is not up to scratch.

But that doesn’t put off the thousands believed to be flooding abroad from the UK for treatment. “Some clinics now do an initial assessment over here,” says Anne Shore, who is considering tooth-implant surgery in Hungary, having been quoted £2,000 in the UK. “Along with the high qualifications dentists have over there, I find that reassuring.”

For details contact
www.OuchMyTooth.com
www.smilesavershungary.co.uk

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