What happens if I go abroad for dental treatment?
We know that it is difficult to find an NHS dentist and that it can be expensive to see a private dentist in the UK.
Dental treatment abroad is often promoted as quicker or cheaper, but it can come with risks.
The Oral Health Foundation has a list of things that you should consider before going abroad for dental treatment. Reported issues include:
- Infection.
- Ongoing pain.
- Broken or poorly fitting crowns, veneers or bridges.
- Failed dental implants.
- Dentures needing repeated adjustments.
- Treatment that was more extensive than expected.
- Difficulty getting follow-up care.
If complications happen after you return home, correcting the work can be expensive. If you experience any post-treatment clinical issues, you should first ask the dentist who did the work for support.
The NHS should treat pain and infection to stabilise your oral health, but may not be able to offer further treatment for the issue, reconstructive treatment or complex specialist treatment.
NHS England says:
"Patients who have previously paid for dental treatment privately in the UK or abroad but later require NHS treatment due to a complication or sudden oral health issue are entitled to access NHS dental care for assessment and evaluation to stabilise their condition.
"Any treatment beyond stabilisation will be assessed based on complexity and need and should be provided at the appropriate care setting, subject to existing NHS acceptance criteria as laid out in The National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts) Regulations 2005."
