Recently I found myself with a dental emergency while in Bali. The day before I was due to fly out my ten year old crown cracked and I knew there was no chance of getting it fixed before I took off. I had already had root canal on the tooth so I wasn’t in any pain and it was a non-visible molar so I did what any self-respecting holiday junkie would do and I got on that plane anyway. I’m no stranger to destination dentistry having previously had veneers in Thailand, so I had no qualms about getting the troublesome tooth sorted while I was away rather than cancelling my trip. I was however, somewhat surprised at the reaction from friends who were horrified that I would even contemplate visiting the dentist in a developing country. Destination dentistry is a growing trend, so much so that I have included it on my epic list of 110+ things to do in Bali. But why are more and more people choosing to combine a holiday with a spell in the dentist chair? If you are curious read on as I share my personal experience visiting a dentist in Bali at the BIMC clinic …
What Is Destination Dentistry?
Destination dentistry refers to the practice of travelling to another country to have dental work done. More often than not, trips are to developing countries where dentistry costs a fraction of what is does at home. Combine these steep discounts with a holiday in an exotic location and you can begin to see the appeal. I’ve seen enough TV horror stories about cosmetic surgery gone bad abroad to know that people have been heading overseas for a cheap nip and tuck for some time, but I didn’t realise it extended to dentistry until my first trip to Thailand about four years ago. The streets are littered with dental clinics advertising discount tooth whitening and there are no shortage of tourists lining up for their services. Intrigued, I visited a number of clinics during that first trip and found that many patients were not just availing of the whitening, but were having some pretty serious work done; think root canals, fillings, bridges, implants, veneers and total mouth reconstructions. My interest was well and truly piqued, but I wanted to do some more research before jumping in at the deep end.
Why Choose A Dentist In Bali
In Australia, dental care is not covered by public health (Medicare). Even for those lucky enough to have private health, the ‘gap’ can be frightening. In 2013 Australians spent approximately $8,706m on dentistry. Worryingly, 58% of that was directly charged to individuals as out of pocket expenses. A further study revealed that 11% of Australians avoid the dentist due to the cost. I hate visiting the dentist. The fear is irrational I know, but it is real. My usual MO involves putting off making an appointment for as long as humanly possible. I don’t recommend this approach and you should definitely go and get any issues checked at the first sign of trouble to avoid complications. I won’t, but YOU should! Given my dislike of the dentist chair, it may seem strange that I would even consider voluntary destination dentistry, but that is exactly what I did on my second trip to Thailand when I booked myself in for 8 veneers. I was there for a week and spent approximately 10 hours in the chair all told over multiple visits. The cost was around $3,000 all up, but it would have cost a whopping $16,000 in Sydney at the time. When you take into account I paid $2,000 for airfares and accommodation for The Hubs and I, I was still streets ahead. I am thrilled with the results and three(ish) years later they are still going strong. I know that I would never have done it at home because I simply could not justify the cost. So buoyed by my previous experience, I spent my last night in Sydney trying to find a reputable dentist in Bali to sort out my predicament.
Destination Dentistry Risks
In my 9 – 5 gig as a Risk Manager I am no stranger to identifying, assessing and mitigating risk. So with something as important as my health, I wasn’t taking any chances. Having any medical procedure done comes with risk, particularly where anesthetic is involved. It is even riskier in developing countries where the standards are not always up to scratch. How could I be sure the dentist in Bali was qualified? Is their training equal to ours? Would the surgery be clean? Are the hygiene standard rigorous? Would I be able to converse on a complicated subject with someone whose first language is not English? What happens if something goes horribly wrong? Would my travel insurance cover it? After carefully considering the risks, I booked an appointment for a consultation and took comfort from the fact that I was under no obligation to proceed.
My Experience With BIMC Nusa Dua Bali
My crown has been somewhere troublesome for the last five years. It has come loose twice in that time and had to be re-fitted. Each time my Australian dentist has tried to convince me to give up and go for an implant as it would continue to give me grief. The implant would be $10,000 and take a year. Quite frankly, the thought of having screws embedded in my jaw was almost terrifying as the cost, so both times I passed on the implant and paid $200 to have my crown glued back in, all the while critically aware that it may be the last time I get away with it. The third and final time the crown dislodged the day before my trip I realised that there was no saving it as it had not only come loose, but had cracked almost completely in half.
When you google ‘dentist in Bali’, Bali911 and BIMC dominate. The prices are very similar and despite being further away (we stayed at the Magani in Legian) I opted for BIMC Nusa Dua. I based my decision on the fact that BIMC dental clinic is attached to Indonesia’s premier hospital which has a reputation with Aussies as THE place to go if you are injured in Bali. To add further comfort, BIMC was the first hospital in Indonesia to gain accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI), an accreditation it retains today. Unlike Australian dentists, BIMC were upfront about the cost at the time I booked the initial consultation. I was quoted IDR5,000,000, which is about AUD$500 and a quarter of the cost I would pay at home. As I only had 5 days on the ground, I had no time to lose and visited BIMC the morning after I landed. If you are considering dental work I would highly recommend spending at least 10 days in Bali. The hospital was large, clean and modern and the dental clinic was an exact replica of any I have ever visited in Australia. It even smelled the same! On arrival I had to complete the usual medical history and sign my life away. Despite my innate fear of dentists, I wasn’t overly concerned about complications as I was not undergoing an invasive procedure. I simply needed a new crown made and fitted.
My first appointment was speedy and painless. My dentist started with a quick check of my teeth and an X-Ray to ensure all there were no roots remaining in the tooth. As there was very little of the original tooth left I was warned the crown may fail to adhere. Like every other Australian dentist my dentist in Bali suggested an implant which I politely declined. Once we were both satisfied with the way forward, my dentist examined the damaged crown which I had helpfully brought along, took impressions of my top jaw and together we decided on the best colour match to my existing teeth. I was asked if I wanted a temporary crown but I didn’t see the need. I was on my way after 40 minutes with a follow-up appointment booked for fitting 4 days later.
My second appointment was equally efficient. Unlike Aussie dentists, my dentist in Bali ushered me in exactly on time thus avoiding my usual anxious wait in a sterile waiting room. The dentist checked the fit of the new crown and once satisfied he cleaned the area so that the glue would adhere. The crown was then glued in and set with ultra violet light. The dentist unfortunately used too much adhesive and removing the excess was more of an effort than it should have been. It felt like they were filing, gouging and scraping for ages. It wasn’t painful but it was rather uncomfortable having to sit with your mouth stretched open while someone shoves their hands in. I did have concerns at one point that if they kept removing all the traces of glue there would be nothing left holding it in. Once my dentist was comfortable every last trace of errant adhesive was removed he tested and adjusted my bite. After about 40 minutes I was on my way with instructions not to eat anything hard or sticky for 24 hours while the glue set properly.
Post Treatment
Remember all the ‘excess’ glue being removed? Well it turns out I was right because after about a month an unfortunate incident with a minty dislodged my new crown. This involved another trip to my Australian dentist who charged me about $235 (after my health fund kicked in) to glue it back in again. True to his profession, he tried to talk me into an implant but once again I declined. It’s been about six months now and I have had no further issues. Despite that last unplanned expense I am still well in front of what it would have cost me at home and I am more than pleased with the results. No doubt at some point in the future the crown will completely fail me and I will have to get that implant that keeps being recommended, but for now I will continue to put it off for as long as I can. With two satisfactory experiences under my belt, I am a self-confessed convert to destination dentistry and haven’t stopped smiling since. While I am more than satisfied with my results, services can vary greatly between clinics and I urge all those considering any procedure to do their own research, consider the risks and only proceed if you are 100% comfortable. Even in developing countries, you get what you pay for. In both Thailand and Bali I have no doubt that I could have paid considerably less at a lower quality clinic. When I told my taxi driver in Bali where I was going the first words he muttered were ‘too expensive’. He offered to take me to a ‘local’ dentist in Bali who would charge about a fifth of the cost of BIMC. That was a risk I was not willing to take. Cheap is good, but safe is better! If you are a first time visitor you should check out my Bali Basics post before you go.
Have you ever had dental work done overseas? Would you consider visiting a dentist in Bali? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below.
Until Next Time …
Disclaimer: This post is NOT SPONSORED. I paid for all my dental work in both Thailand and Bali in full. This is not a testimonial for BIMC and is simply my account of my own personal experience with the clinic. I urge anyone considering destination dentistry to do their own research and consider all the risks before proceeding. If it does not feel right, err on the side of caution and move on. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Aaron c says
Im looking for some pricing on crowns, fillings and screw in
Allison Smith says
Aaron I paid $500 for my crown. I have them a call before I went and they quoted over the phone and provided a free consultation.
Red Nomad OZ (Marion Halliday) says
I’ve been scarred forever as a young child by being taken to the Indian Dental training school in Fiji! I don’t recall all the details now – maybe I’ve blanked them out? – but the next dentist I was taken to was an Australian practising in Fiji!!! As an adult I have an uneasy relationship with dentists – but I’m pretty sure I’ve funded my current dentist’s overseas holidays and children’s studies, so I’m always looking for cheaper options that are also trustworthy. Your Bali experience was (mostly) good, and I’ve heard other good reports from Thailand – I guess the takeaways from this post are check and double check the credentials, and plan enough time to get it done properly!
Allison Smith says
That sounds awful! Exactly! Those rules about checking credentials apply to anywhere not just when travelling. I hope you have better dental experiences going forward!
Sandy N Vyjay says
With spiralling medical and dentistry costs in developing countries, there indeed a spurt in what is called medical tourism. We see that in Bangalore, India too, where world class quality medical treatment is available at a much lower cost as what it would be in the western countries.
However, personally I would rather prefer to have my tooth extracted in the familiar confines of my own city, unless otherwise constrained.
Janine Good says
The cost difference is shocking! Imagine charging upwards $16,000 for the same thing you get in Bali for approx. $3000. It is the same story here in Canada. I have no plan and if I required work like that, I would be in the poorhouse. This is so insightful as my husband has similar dental issues that could save him a lot of money if we could jet to Bali or Thailand. I should definitely check out such options in places closer by like Cuba 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Janine I had another Canadian comment that Cuba is an option so you should so check it out!
Natasha Welch says
Looks like a decent enough dentist over there in Bali, why not if its cheaper haha! Still can’t quite believe its 10,000 to get an implant? That’s just crazy I’d rather go with no tooth than pay that just out of principle haha…
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Yep I hearing you Natasha which is why I’m holding out lol
Katie says
I have never thought of having dentistry abroad, I can understand why people would be cautious. Thanks for sharing this post about Bali though! We are planning on moving to Asia and knowing that there is affordable dentistry is one less thing to worry about!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
How exciting Katie! I could see myself retiring in SE Asia … Just need to convince The Hubs lol
Maja | Mexatia says
I did not know you do not have dentistry covered in Australia! In Croatia we do, have even though I have a wonderful private dentist – and many people who live abroad in Switzerland, Germany or so come here on holidays to visit the dentist.
When I see how expensive dentists are in Australia, I can imagine you will be flying to Bali or Thailand again 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Probably Maka. I think it’s pretty rare to have dentistry covered under public health so you are very lucky ?
Marissa says
This is an interesting concept that honestly was never on my radar in the past! Like you, I had heard of destination plastic surgery, but not dentistry. Funny enough, I had to have an emergency dental appointment while studying abroad in Spain years ago and everything turned out fine (but it never crossed my mind that people might go abroad for the sole purpose of having a procedure done). I guess based on my own experience I shouldn’t be so queasy about the prospect of planning these kinds of treatments overseas! … As long as everything checks out in terms of reputations, costs, etc. 🙂 Glad to hear your procedures have been so successful!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Yeah I was totally fine with it. My boss was horrified and begged me to wait until I got back home to Australia lol
Hope Chen says
Hey Allison, on my recent trip abroad, I came across the issue of needing to go to the hospital and the emergency room was loads cheaper than a normal hospital in my country. Destination dentistry is a great idea, especially because some services are just cheaper in certain countries. I’m sorry about your new crown – I hope things worked out!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I hope everything went OK Hope. The crown is still going strong!
Leah says
oh gosh, destination dentistry sounds a little scary to me! Both of my parents are dentists, so I think they’d kill me, haha! but it definitely seems like a viable option if you know of a trustworthy physician abroad.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Well you are sorted then Leah! I can only imagine the talking to you would get lol
Kreete says
What great timing for this article! It’s almost as I was meant to read it! I am going to Bali myself in March to get some major work done with my teeth. I have been given a suggestion about a clinic by my mother-in-law, but I will definitely check out the one you went to as well. When you booked an appointment, did you just explain to them what needed to be done? I have so much that I need fixed that maybe it’s best to go and get an x-ray done here in Sydney and then send it in so they can evaluate the cost and how much time it takes? What do you recommend? I am not Australian and I don’t have Medicare, not even health cover or travel insurance let a lone my own GP. It all seems so overwhelming just to get the x-ray done that I haven’t even started organizing a thing and it’s stressing me out ha.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I did explain exactly what I needed but I booked a consultation first as well so they could give me their opinion. As it happened the night before I left I couldn’t get X-rays done before so left but it’s not a bad idea. It may result in duplicate cost though as I can guarantee they will do another like they did for me. How much time do you have in Bali? If you are not rushed I would do it all over there and just make sure you book a consult first so they can go over exactly what needs to be done. Good luck and let me know how it turns out!
Lydia@LifeUntraveled says
Destination dentistry is popular here (Montreal, Canada) as well but people go to Cuba (because it’s so close). Cuba is known for its excellent medical services and many travelers take advantage of this (and the unbeatable prices) while going on vacation. I’ve never done it but I had planned on getting my teeth cleaned in Bangkok. It kind of slipped my mind but I regret not having it done. Maybe next time! Glad you’re satisfied with your crown (and your veneers)!
sabrina says
Wow! this is an interesting topic..not something I think pleasantly about, but definitely something that is good to know since I’ve been on the road for a year now and you never know when this kid of things will happen. Better to be informed!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
When travelling we always just assume we will be healthy but you never know when these things crop up.
Jillian Michelle says
I love that you posted this because I’m currently in the process of arranging a dental trip to Costa Rica from the U.S. I’ve spent most of my life stuck in a hospital, and the latest issue I face is losing almost all my teeth. So many people have no idea that you can get work done abroad for so much cheaper than at home….depending on where you travel to! You’re actually the first I’ve heard of someone writing about dental tourism in Bali, in fact! And you’re right– all my friends are horrified as well! I’ve managed to convince my dad that the dentist is safe and more than qualified after showing him tons of extensive research I dug up. My stepmom is still against me going, though lol. It sucks that the excessive glue ended up making you have to take another trip to the dentist in Australia to fix the dislodged crown. Glad it was still worth it, though! And your veneers from Thailand look amazing!! <3 <3 <3
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Oh Jillian sorry to hear about your issues! You should defo try to save the teeth any way you can! For me if it was Mexico or losing them the choice is a no brainer. What have you got to lose! I have also heard good things about Mexico and the Philippines but have not researched them as much as Bali and Thailand. The reality is you can get a bad dentist anywhere and choosing one in Australia or the US could still end in disaster. Hope all works out for you!
Erica says
I have NEVER heard of this! So interesting! I had no idea people traveled to certain places for dental work. It makes sense though, considering dental work is outrageously expensive!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
It happening more and more. Mexico and Europe are also big for people to go to for dental work.
Rashmi and Chalukya says
We weren’t really aware of Destination dentistry until we read your post. Sounds interesting but bit scary too. Visiting a dentist in an unknown country where most of the things are new to us sounds baffling. But yes if there is an emergency then we would have no choice isn’t it 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I can see why you would be baffled but when the savings are what they it makes sense to many.
Jan Michael De Guzman says
They have a pretty nice facility and a great job on you tooth as well. I believe that there are lots of talents in developing countries similar go firsf world countries. The only difference is you could avail everything cheaper that is why dental and medical tourisms are booming now.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Agree JM. There are talented people everywhere!
Stacey says
Oh wow! This is something that I would have never thought of. Definitely a lot of research required but for the cost and the bonus of a vacation it seems like a great idea!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Works for some Stacey! I have been happy with the results!
Arnav @ Eat, Travel, Live and REPEAT says
Destination Dentistry is something I am reading for the first time.Had always heard about medical tourism and stuff but never really understood it.But your article has made me understand the basics of the thing.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I would still be concerned about getting surgery but for some reason I am much less nervous about dentistry overseas.
Maggie says
Dental care here in the US is super expensive. Since Mexico is so close to us (we live in Southern California), many people go south of the border for dentistry. So much cheaper and the American dentists aren’t much better than their Mexican counterparts. I see Americans aren’t the only ones traveling to see a dentist!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Maggie are think anywhere where the cost is prohibitive people will look for an alternative. I know people from the UK who head to Europe.
Kevin says
Great to see that it is getting known that the dentist skills in Bali are just getting better and better.
Thanks for creating more awareness of this fact…
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Just relaying my personal experience Kevin. ?
Jessica says
THANK YOU for sharing this!!! Since I’m traveling full time, I don’t have insurance back in the States. I was just back for a few weeks and went to the dentist because my tooth has been hurting a little and my options were the “cheap” fix at $350 or the “real” fix at $1400!!!! No way!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
That’s crazy Jessica! I don’t get how dentists are sooooo expensive in Aus or USA. I need a filling right now and am avoiding as usual eeeek!
roota says
Thankfully dentist treatment is cheap in India where I live. This is helpful for people in the first world nations to save money. I have heard many americans doing it regularly. They plan their trip to Asia when their dentistry appointment is due – haha 😀
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Where not right? If it’s also cheap in India I would say people are also travelling there as well!
Kassie says
I almost got some dental work done while I was in Thailand because it would have been so cheap but decided to make a separate trip of it sometime in the future. Here in the USA it is incredibly expensive without dental insurance and the work can be shoddy so it is good to know that there are alternatives out there!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
It’s expensive in Oz even with insurance! I had ‘the gap’ with a passion lol. I haven’t hit Thailand on my radar again for a while but when I do go back I would love to get veneers in my bottom teeth as well ?
Tara says
Love the idea of destination dentistry! Things can go wrong in Australia if you dont do your research and you’d be wayyyyy out of pocket! Research for quality AND save? Why not?
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I have heard my share of horror stories from home as well so I am always particular about who I see here as well.
Ann says
My father was considering this. Any recommendations for where to research?
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Hi Ann. I asked family and friends for recommendations initially but came up zilch so I started with Google. I read a lot of forums (like Trip Advisor etc) and looked for clinics that were getting multiple good reviews from people that had actually been there. I also made sure to read any negative reviews. Once I had a short list I looked into the actual centre itself including the qualifications of the dentists and where they were trained. I found most were trained overseas and not in Indonesia and Thailand so I looked into the training standards in those countries. I rang them and asked as many questions as I could think of before booking a consultation. On the day of my consultations I even asked people in the waiting room about their experience if they were mid treatment. At each consultation (which were both free) I was prepared to walk away if I didn’t get a good feeling about the place. There is probably a lot more you could do but this should be a good start.
Ricarda Christina Hollweg says
I’ve heard a lot about destination dentistry. But I didn’t know it’s also common in Bali. Great informative blog post.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks Ricarda.
Kristen says
Really interesting post. I never would have even thought to get dentist work done in Bali, but it’s good to know if I ever need to consider it! Thanks for sharing. Really enjoyed reading about such a unique blog post topic!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks Kristen. I wouldn’t have though about it either unless mg hand was forced lol
Courtney says
Not sure how I’d feel about doing this but your post definitely makes it seem less scary, so thank you 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I was apprehensive at first as well Courtney which is why I stress doing your own research is key.
HappyPlaceHunters says
Wow, so informative- had never thought of Bali as a destination to get teeth work done. LOVE to hear more about your experience getting veneers in Thailand too – maybe you could do a post on that sometime?
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks! I was thinking about that ?
Zwitsy says
I didn’t know that there is a term for it but yeah, my cousin from NZ just opted-in to get her dental done here in Philippines, particularly in Cebu. Just like what made you decide to do destination dentistry, it is the cost. There are a lot of dentists in the country too. But I certainly agree on finding clinics that offer quality aside from the cost.
Fenrile says
I didn’t know about destination dentistry. I knew for hair or some surgery. I’m picky about dentists though. I’m not found of them, even though I’m not terrified either. I just want a good one. I had a very excellent and perfect one in France. I just think that as long as I don’t have emergency, I’ll do destination dentistry to France now Haha
Ferna says
Didn’t know that there’s such destination dentistry. Luckily, I live in the Philippines where the cost of dental fee is cheaper, yet, this is also an informative knowledge to everyone.. thanks for sharing this info. Your teeth looks amazing by the way 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Yes The Philippines is another place many Aussie go to get their teeth done. Thank you!
Berlin says
I haven’t experienced any dental consultation or work overseas. And I thank the Lord for it. I seldom have dental problems as well. I regularly visit our family dentist for cleaning though. I agree with you that though saving a lot can surely make us smile, safety first is still top priority.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Agree Berlin, safety has to be the priority!
Jerwel De Perio says
This could be risky, but we will not know about the result if we don’t take the risk right? What if the dental care that you lined up for is really good? We won’t know until we take it. For me, dental care is really one of the most important things as I face a lot of people in a daily basis and if I can’t show my best smile, then, I can’t do my job well.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Agree Jerwel. being able to smile with confidence is critical!
Mirriam says
So that’s what it’s called. Destination dentistry. I am glad I have a dentist-friend who can check me up for free. Of course, I pay for the materials she uses but, hey, the check up fee is a great cut to the costs. Your teeth look wonderful ❤️
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Now that’s a friend worth having Mirriam! Thanks ?
Sheri @ A Busy Bees Life says
I live in Austria and a lot of people travel from here to Hungary to get their teeth done. There a lots of excellent dentists in Hungary who do the same work for half the price. Of course you have some not so great ones too who charge half the price and the quality is also only half of what it should be. It is all about reasearch and choosing the right person.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Totally agree Sheri. Research and recommendations are so important! I never thought about Hungary but that’s a bit far for me to go lol
Nilyn says
I haven’t heard about destination dentistry ’til this post. I didn’t have any issues with my teeth so far that requires extensive dental surgery. Hopefully I won’t experience that because I might not be able to afford the costs. Lol. Right now, I’m have braces installed to fix my crooked teeth. It’s doing good so far, still waiting for 1 last tooth to align like the others. I don’t have any problems so far.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
You’re lucky! This one tooth has caused me soooooo many problems but I really don’t want to lose it lol
Iris says
This is the first time I heard of Destination Dentistry. But having medical/dental procedures outside my country worries me. why? Like you said, there are also risks… One is communication might be a problem. Or after you return home, if there are any problems or concerns with the treatment, it’s usually impractical to go back to the doctor who performed it.
But thanks for sharing your experience, I might try Dental & Medical Tourism soon. =D
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Agree Iris. It’s something everyone has to think about carefully before going ahead. I have been fortunate but I’m sure there are planet of horror stories out there.
ROBERT LEE says
The difference is the cost. There are good desntists, and then there are those who are on the other side of the fence, regardless where. Having lower standard of living, it is cheaper in countries like Thailand, even here in the Philippines. Would I trust myself to have dental work done abroad? No. I live here, I am familiar here, and it is cheaper here compared to other countries. Lucky me. You are lucky too having the option of being able to travel and get dental work done, and still end up all in all spending less. 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I agree staying with what you are familiar with is the safe option and staying at home is no guarantee of getting ‘good work’ done. I have heard plenty of horror stories about Aussie dentists. You are lucky you have affordable options close to home ?
Beth | AlmostPosh.com says
Would definitely consider this at a recommended clinic. Dentistry in Australia is criminally expensive, even with private health. I’ve spent thousands on them and they still aren’t anything to look at – I’m very self-conscious about them. I actually have an appointment in a couple of hours to talk about veneers . . . wish me luck.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I love my veneers Beth and did have a consult in Oz before looking at Thailand but at $2k per tooth I just couldn’t justify it. I did take a lot of comfort from the fact BIMC had the Aussie accreditation ?
Sarah - Exploring Kiwis says
An incredibly informative post, thanks for sharing your experience! I’ve never seriously considered destination medicine but certainly would if/when I need something done. Your veneers look absolutely gorgeous 🙂
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks so much Sarah! Now I just need to get the bottom ones done ?
Diana says
I have never even thought about destination dentistry (or any other medical and/or cosmetic procedures) before, but what a great idea! I think as long as I have read enough positive reviews about a clinic in a developing country, I would be willing to go as well. It is amazing that even the most expensive dentist in Bali was still so much cheaper than a similar dentist in Australia. Thanks for sharing and opening my eyes to the world of destination dentistry!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I agree Diana. I read ALOT of reviews before choosing!
Joanna says
I have had so many bad experiences with dentists (like different things “forgotten inside” – at the moment I still have a needle on one of my root canals) that for a while I avoided them. Then I moved from my home country and when the pain stroke, I had to find a local dentist as the painkillers would not work anymore. I was very happy with the result and the attention he gave me, but then again, he was a private one. I had to pay quite a lot, as dentists are not on out health insurance here either, but at least I know I found someone who gives me 3 times the dose of anesthetic if I ask for, cause I’m afraid. I do know a lot of people who travel to other countries for dental treatment, as the work + the plane tickets + the visits after are much cheaper than one treatment at home.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
It’s seriously ridiculous in Oz. I meant $235 to glue a crown back in and that’s after my health find paid. Totally get why people are looking for an alternative!
Soraya says
I am a big fan of medical tourism – I have known a few friends who have gone overseas to different parts of the world to have medical procedures done. I actually have never thought about getting dental work done in Bail, but it’s great that you shared your experience. I actually am looking to get work done in Phuket to remove my wisdom teeth, plus get some whitening done. The quotes have been really affordable, and best of all, I get to incorporate a holiday getaway a well. All up, it’s much cheaper than getting dental work done in Australia.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Very happy with the veneers I got in Patong (Phuket) Soraya. Just do your research well before committing ?
runawaybrit says
I had some dental work done in Medellin, Colombia – yes, it sounds like the start of a bad 80s horror movie, right?! I asked for some cosmetic work to be done (veneers), but he refused as my teeth were still healthy 🙁 In the end I had a wisdom tooth removed and the whitening treatment. It was a fun experience, especially the part when we were communicating through Google Translate!
The worst part about dental tourism is that you’re in a really cool place, but you spend the whole time in pain! My wisdom tooth bled for 3 days afterwards!
I’d still like those veneers though!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
My teeth were healthy before the veneers as well just for cosmetic purposes (fill a gap and whiten). In fact the first dentist I consulted (in Oz) said they only do veneers on healthy teeth so strange he wouldn’t do them! I’d been wanting them for years but didn’t think I would ever be able to afford them. If you we still dreaming of them I say go for it!