Leading Dentist Warns New Zealanders Against Dental Tourism

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One of New Zealand’s leading dentists has warned the public against cheap dental treatment abroad. Dr Andrea Shepperson said that people are risking their oral health and general health by travelling to countries like Thailand for dental treatment.

Dr Shepperson said that people are being lured in by low prices, but warned that in most cases, dental tourism represents a false economy. She is also concerned that people are travelling in the belief that they will receive the same standard of care as in New Zealand, which is often not the case.

Dr Shepperson said that some tourism companies are selling products that they have absolutely no knowledge or expertise of and this is putting the patients’ health at risk. By marketing the experience as a holiday, companies are making the idea of dental tourism seem more appealing; however, she stressed that dental work is not something that should be taken lightly and urged patients to think very carefully before taking the decision to go abroad for dental care.

Dr Shepperson said that it is important that patients receive appropriate levels of care and this should involve building a relationship with the dentist and being made aware of the details of the procedure and the expected outcomes.

Dr Shepperson said that the major concern is that dental tourism companies drive sales based on income and turnover, rather than standards of care and healthcare policy; she added that there is a high risk of botched work, infection and complications and warned that patients could end up paying more than the initial quote for a dentist in New Zealand to repair the damage.

 

 

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