Dental tourism is the practice of traveling outside of one’s country to get dental care.
For instance, a U.K. citizen may travel to Hungary to undergo surgery for dental implants there.
Another example is an Australian traveling to Thailand for oral procedures.
Each year, an estimated 20,000–35,000 patients travel abroad for more affordable or accessible cosmetic dental treatment, and this number continues to rise.
Some UK dentists face challenges when patients return with complications from extensive dental work performed abroad. These issues can include gum inflammation, cavities, infection, poorly fitting crowns, or problems with bite alignment.
Dentists understand the frustration patients feel in these situations, but practices are not responsible for the costs of correcting previous treatment. In many cases, fixing unsuccessful work is more complex and carries higher risks than performing the original procedure.
Dentists should avoid taking on work beyond their expertise. If necessary, they will refer patients for specialist care to ensure safe and effective treatment.
If Affinity Dental Care & Implant Centre agrees to provide remedial treatment, we carefully assess the condition and record all findings. We use photographs and X-rays where appropriate and provide a written estimate for work that is expected to be beneficial.
At this stage, patients decide whether to proceed with the proposed treatment or return to the original dentist who performed the work.
It is important to understand that agreeing to treat patients in these circumstances does not make the dentist responsible for the original treatment or any complications that arose from it abroad. Our focus is on safe, effective care for the presenting condition while clearly documenting the limitations of responsibility.
