The Great 'Medical Tourism' Hunt

Toothsmith

Did you discuss payment options with the first dentist?

Over what sort of time span would the treatment be done? Does he have any payment options? (There are interest free loans available for dental treatment - Denplan operate one scheme called 'Enhance' - there are several others)

What you need first of all are things stabilized. The extractions, the root fillings and the fillings along with the gum treatments.

From how you describe it, I think the first chap sounds like a very thorough, good dentist.

I wouldn't worry about bridges or implants until things are stable, you've conquered your fear of the dentist, and you are able to look after your teeth and gums well and attend regularly for check ups. (Maybe there was a denture option to fill the gaps for a while?)

If the list of things wrong is so long then his fees don't sound that bad to me.

As for the NHS chap..... £400 is not an NHS fee.

The maximum you pay for a course of NHS treatment now is £192. So he's just charging you bargin bucket private prices, and possibly fraudualantly claiming NHS funds as well.

Root fillings are available on the NHS - he's just not prepared to do them as they're not quick, and he can't earn his funding points quickly enough.

Again, he expects you to loose all your teeth, as he's not got the time under the NHS system to work with you and do what you need to save them.

I would ring up your local PCT and have a word with them about what he has told you 'is and 'isn't' available on the NHS, as it looks like a breach of contract to me.

As for going abroad, yes, you could probably find somewhere that will get you in, turn you all hollywood, and ship you home again in a fortnight for the price of a pound of potatoes.

That would do you no good at all though.

Unless you work with someone over time, and understand why your mouth has got into the state it has, and you put in some work to make sure you can look after it yourself, then even if, by some miracle, you get A1 perfect work entirely appropriate for your needs (Which is highly unlikely) it will begin to fall to bits in a matter of a few short years.

When it does, you will be much worse off, as there will be a lot less of your own tooth, and (if you go for implants) a lot less of your own bone when it fails.

You might even find wearing a denture tricky if you loose too much bone.

Get things stabilised (Even on the NHS if you can find someone who provides good dentistry on the NHS, and not just working the system), save up, and get back to see that first chap as soon as you can.

oni_2

can anyone recommend a dentist in the Algarve?

pboyle

There was a good article about all this in the papers yesterday. Here's the link:

I flew to Hungary to have my teeth fixed.

I think like everything in life, when it comes to dental tourism you have to do your homework and trust in your own decisions. For some people it doesn't make any sense to go abroad, for others it may well save them a fortune.

Philip

lvmarcia

Can you recommend the dentist in Hungary you saw???

poppy10_2

Is there anything non-dentistry related in this thread?

HOLLY

My dental nightmare in Budapest was to lose all my top teeth. Caused through a one piece bridge of 14 teeth attached at one end to a fixed implant. To be brief the bridge snapped off taking with it several teeth still stuck in the cement. The rest damaged beyond repair. My British dentist said it was fitted in correctly with gaps between gum and tooth . The main reason was the fitting of the bridge to a rigid implant. Hence had all my top teeth removed now have a denture .The Dental agent Vital Europe now also called i believe Vitalpoint chose a Dentist called Profident for my treatment. I have had no apology or compensation from Vital Europe or Profident under their guarantee, because i would not go back to Profident under any circumstances. I have been so depressed and traumatised that as yet i have not tried to claim against them, but i will however long it takes. They also have a surgery here now so maybe it will be easier.
I would be greatful to anyone who has any advice on compensation. My apoogies if this message has been read before but i could not find it on this thread.

poppy10_2

HOLLY wrote: »

My dental nightmare in Budapest was to lose all my top teeth. Caused through a one piece bridge of 14 teeth attached at one end to a fixed implant. To be brief the bridge snapped off taking with it several teeth still stuck in the cement.

Oh god! :eek:

That sounds so terrible Hope you get some compensation Holly, although I know it won't make up for what you've gone through.

donteatthat

Holly I hope that you get something sorted out.
I know of others who have had dental disasters abroad. As soon as some of them threatened legal action they recovered the money they had paid. This is not always a good thing as it does not cover the costs of remedial work.
Please see a good medical negligence solicitor for advice.
Perhaps the Dental law Partnership.

BedfordBoy_2

Hi
Interested in yr comments on Hungary. I went there a yr back and had 3 assessments in one day, for implants. It's gone on the back burner but thinking of moving on it now.
You posted a year back - any negative consequences? And where did you go exactly in Budapest?
As for Robbie Williams - no thanks!
Best regards
Nigel

HOLLY

Thank you for your concern . I will keep try to keep positive.