The Great 'Medical Tourism' Hunt

Toothsmith

curlypops wrote: »

thank you for your non biased reply Toothsmith.

Why do you think my reply is biased?

I was not the british dentist who gave you the quote, and so it's of no interest to me where you go. Dentists are all individual businesses. If you see yourself spending significant time in Istanbul over the next 10-15 years, then having a dentist in Istanbul is just as good as having one in the UK. You can attend regularly and keep up the maintenance.

Any dentist, UK or abroad, who gives a 'lifetime guarentee' though is either a fool, or will have so many terms and conditions attached to it as to make it worthless.

It's simply a marketing tool to attract patients who know no better.

Optimist

curlypops wrote: »

Toothsmith,

as you say you live in "God's own country" does that mean you ae in Wales?

Its quite obviously Yorkshire!

Toothsmith

Optimist wrote: »

Its quite obviously Yorkshire!

A coconut for that man!!

mandy_44

*jobags* wrote: »

I had IVF in Poland having blown over £30K in the UK over a 3 year period - In the UK I rarely saw the same Doctor twice and treatment protocols often changed in the middle of treatment cycles for no good reason.

I went to the clinic in Warsaw in May 2006 and within 8 weeks was pregnant with twins at a cost of £2,300. I visited the clinic 4 times and saw the same Dr on each visit.

The clinic was clean - cleaner than those in the UK which I had visited as a private and NHS patient, the drugs were the same as those in the UK but much cheaper and the Doctor spoke perfect English - in fact much better English than the majority of Doctors I saw in UK IVF Clinics

The HFEA were (and still are) full of scare stories about going abroad - as are many professionals and professional health organisations in this country - what are they scared of? That we'll find better standards, better success rates and cleaner facilities abroad.

I would recommend investigating any treatment options abroad to anyone

Jo

Congratulations on your twin pregnancy! I'm glad that all turned out well for you. what was the deciding factor in particular that made you opt for Poland?

mandy_44

keefyp wrote: »

Treatment Abroad (www.treatmentabroad.com) has introduced a Ratings and Reviews system whereby patients can publish their ratings and comments about their experiences of travelling for treatment.

Patients want to know about other patients’ experiences. Treatment Abroad Ratings and Reviews provides you with the “word of mouth” that can help you to make the right choice, if you are thinking of travelling for treatment.

You see the Ratings and Reviews at:
http://reviews.treatmentabroad.com

To submit a review:
Go to: www.treatmentabroad.com/medical-tourism/directory/ and search for the company, hospital or clinic in the listings. Then select "Write a review" on the company/hospital/clinic's page on the site.

All reviews are moderated and checked by at least two members of the Reviews team.

I for one would not go by any review written on a website. If I made the decision to go abroad for dental treatment I would at least expect them to put me in touch with a living breathing person who had successful treatment by them. Anyone can go on a website and write an amazing review especially if they have a vested interest. So read the reviews with caution I have asked companies to put me in touch with previous clients and it's amazing how silent there emails become.

mandy_44

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

We have done the exact opposite to most people here.

We live in Spain and visit our UK dentist (private) when we visit the UK.

This is for several reasons, the main one being he knows us , having treated us for the last twenty years. Although I'm sure Spanish dentists are fine (and definitely cheaper), it is much easier if you don't have to struggle with a foreign language when discussing what needs doing. All dentists in Spain are private, btw.

Another (minor) reason is this is one of the links we are maintaining with the UK (including still having a house and bank accounts there) so that it will not be too difficult to be classed as resident straight away when we eventually return.

I always ask what the charge is going to be when making the appointment.

If there were any emergencies I would obviously go to a Spanish dentist.

I would like to say however, something about the Spanish NHS. MY husband has recently spent twelve days in a hospital in Granada, having had an operation. His care was first class and imho, much more thorough than in British hospitals, he had a single room with his own shower (the biggest room we saw contained four beds) and the hospital was spotless.

First Class service!

Can I ask was your husbands hosptial treatment paid for by the E111 system, or did you pay private health care?

mandy_44

:rolleyes:

yellow33 wrote: »

What's wrong with you people? I'm not a dentist and don't know any personally, but they spend 7 years studying and deserve to earn whatever they can - as does anyone else in this country!!

Yes they have a right to earn like the rest of us. But they have no right ripping people off like they do. Some of them are no better than the rip off cowboy plumbers and roofers you see being exposed on t.v. In fact there should be a documentry on exposing the way some (not all) dentists rip people off.
And for an example I was charged £496 for a consultation ( which was 40 mins approx) with an implant dentist in the south of england this included a bone scan which i never did see and all i got for my money was a written treatment plan which could have been typed by a five year old. Also, I was quoted £18.000 for treatment. When i phoned to ask if i could have a copy of the bone scan (as i wanted to save myself more money) i could then show it to other dentists. I was told that his scanning machine would not be compatible with other machines. Don't know if to laugh or cry:rolleyes:

mandy_44

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. 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.

I'm really sorry to hear about your bad experience and I hope that you find a resolution to it. I can not offer you any advice only support I'm thinking of you.

Toothsmith

mandy_44 wrote: »

And for an example I was charged £496 for a consultation ( which was 40 mins approx) with an implant dentist in the south of england this included a bone scan which i never did see and all i got for my money was a written treatment plan which could have been typed by a five year old. Also, I was quoted £18.000 for treatment. When i phoned to ask if i could have a copy of the bone scan (as i wanted to save myself more money) i could then show it to other dentists. I was told that his scanning machine would not be compatible with other machines. Don't know if to laugh or cry:rolleyes:

This sounds seriously dodgy!

What was the 'Scanning machine' like?

Usually, implant dentists use the scanner at local hospitals. These are the huge machines that you lie down in and go into a tunnel.

They are expensive to do, but I on't understand the 'not compatible' stuff.

If you're considering implants, it's always best to get your general dentist to refer you to an implantologist he knows and trusts. After all, it will be your general dentist who will be taking care of things on a day-to-day basis once the engineering has been completed.

I would go back to that dentist and ask again for your scan. If they won't give it to you, ask for their complaints policy.

*jobags*

mandy_44 wrote: »

Congratulations on your twin pregnancy! I'm glad that all turned out well for you. what was the deciding factor in particular that made you opt for Poland?

A few things...

I live in Herts and Warsaw is easy peasy to get to from Luton - WizzAir and SleazyJet

In terms of IVF - the clinic automatically puts the woman on steroids for the first 12 weeks (post embryo transfer and then for a further 10 weeks following a positive result) and as I have a lupus type condition I felt I needed steroids to support embryo implantation - you will only be prescribed steroinds in the UK if you have undergone immune tests ranging from £600 - £1500

Professionalism of clinic staff - they will call you at 10.00 on a Sunday night if they need to (and did in my case)


Plus the IVF was half the price of IVF in the UK so I could have more attempts for my money - I also used a cashback credit card to pay for it;)

If you want more info on IVF abroad options I suggest you google fertility friends abroadies

Jo