With an overseas dental promotion event taking place in Barrow-in-Furness next month, a leading Cumbrian dentist is urging anyone considering cosmetic or implant treatment abroad to take time and do research to make sure they know exactly what they are signing up for. Dr Neil Cooper, founder and Principal Implant Dental Surgeon at Kendal’s Crossbank Dental Care, says the issue is not about dismissing overseas dentistry, with many excellent clinicians both in the UK and abroad, but making sure patients are able to make an informed decision about significant and potentially irreversible treatment. “People understandably want a great smile, and cost can be an important consideration,” says Neil, whose advice is simple: ask questions before you commit.
“Regardless of who you meet in the UK, do you know who will actually be carrying out the treatment?
The General Dental Council (GDC) advises UK patients to check qualifications, as well as regulatory requirements in the country where they are considering treatment. “Make sure you know exactly what treatment will be done and how, especially if irreversible, and, vitally: what happens afterwards. This is exactly how we operate here, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, decide on the right course of action, have time to reflect on it, or have another consultation, before treatment.” With ‘Turkey Teeth’ now a common term for extensive overseas dental treatments, from whitening to implants, no one wants to think about something going wrong. But some patients find themselves back in the UK with no aftercare plan or budget, seeking help with clinicians like Dr Cooper, who says it’s vital to weigh up longer-term implications. “Dental treatment should always be about more than how it looks in the adverts” says Dr Cooper, who has over 24 years’ experience placing implants.
“So ask: who do you contact if there’s pain, an infection, or a problem three months later? Is that included, or an extra cost? Corrective work can be typically more complex, lengthy, invasive and expensive than the original treatment.” For patients considering overseas treatment, the GDC specifically recommends speaking to your own dentist before travelling. With some people unable to register with a dentist, Crossbank Dental Care offers complimentary consultations for anyone concerned about previous cosmetic or implant treatment, as well as those considering treatment and wanting an independent opinion before making a decision. For Dr Cooper, the key message is not to be rushed into a decision, by enthusiasm or offers: “Your bite, gum health, the condition of your natural teeth, getting the right treatment, and the ability to maintain the result all matter. So ask questions, make sure you get the answers, and take your time to consider- that applies whether your dentist is five minutes away or several thousand miles away.”
