At the age of 24, Amanda sustained severe damage to her teeth in a domestic violence incident, and the Perth mother’s dental health never recovered.

Last year, in her late 50s, she decided to dip into her superannuation savings to fund the dental work she had delayed for so many years.Ìý

After shopping around and getting quotes from several dentists, Amanda paid $60,000 in late November 2024 to Perth Dental Rooms for a full set of dental implants.Ìý

Just over a month later, before her work had begun, the director of the company that owned the clinic, David Hurst, died by suicide leaving an estimated 130 patients including Amanda out of pocket with work either not started or incomplete.Ìý

According to lawyers from Slater and Gordan, who are assisting some of the affected patients, Hurst withdrew more than $7 million from the company prior to his death. The company was facing bankruptcy and was placed in liquidation, leaving limited options for patients to recoup lost money.Ìý

Advocates say cases like this have highlighted the urgent need for reforms to the way that dental work is paid for across the industry.Ìý

Patients left in the lurchÌý

Slater and Gordan’s medical law practice leader Sarah Marshman says many patients are in “physical, financial and emotional pain” following Hurst’s death.Ìý

“A lot of them had paid quite a lot of money either privately or through their superannuation for treatment that was either never completed, never started or completed not at standard,” she says.Ìý

Hurst was convicted of defrauding the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom of tens of thousands of dollars before later coming to Australia to practice.Ìý

Marshman says during Hurst’s time at the practice, many of Perth Dental Rooms’ patients were subjected to “aggressive” social media advertising on Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram encouraging them to withdraw their superannuation early to pay for dental work.Ìý

As ÌÇÐÄVlog reported last year, the number of early super withdrawals to pay for dental work is skyrocketing with social media marketing playing a major role in the rising number of applications.Ìý

Marshman says the process for affected patients to attempt to get their money back will be a “long road”.Ìý “Many of the patients feel ashamed, angry, and misled, and they’ve lost both money and trust,” Marshman says.Ìý

Meanwhile Amanda has no idea where her $60,000 is.Ìý

“I wanted a nice smile for 30 years and now that dream has been taken away from me,” Amanda says.

New owners take overÌý

Perth Dental Rooms has since been sold to new owners, who do not have any connection to the previous ownership. ÌÇÐÄVlog is not alleging any wrongdoing on the part of the new ownership.Ìý

“We are deeply sympathetic to the many people affected by Mr Hurst’s unethical and illegal conduct. While the new ownership is not legally or contractually responsible for treatments performed prior to our acquisition, we felt a moral duty to assist those impacted where possible,” the new owners tell ÌÇÐÄVlog in a statement.Ìý

They added that support included consultations and new dental records to replace inadequate documentation left behind and “in many cases offering heavily subsidised treatment of up to 30%–80% off regular fees”

“In some cases, completely free dental care has been paid for at our own cost. Noting that no pre-paid funds were transferred to us at sale and there has been no assistance from government,” they say.Ìý

Hurst’s not the only case in WAÌý

Unfortunately, this is not the only case in Western Australia of something going wrong in the dental industry in recent months.Ìý

In June, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) issued its first ever public warning that named a specific dental practitioner, following new legislation intended to protect public health and safety that allows the agency to refer to problem practitioners by name.Ìý

Western Australian dentist and dental nurse Peter Terzi, also known as Peter Taylor, was suspended from both professions in February 2025, but Ahpra warned that he may be continuing to present himself as a registered dentist or nurse.Ìý

The industry regulator Ahpra said he was also facing criminal charges before the Western Australian courts for allegedly practicing without registration, adding that he has pleaded not guilty to those charges.Ìý

Health Consumers’ Council Western Australia executive director Clare Mullen says they have been contacted by several of Peter Terzi’s clients who had prepaid for work which can now no longer be completed.Ìý

She says that both Terzi’s and Hurst’s cases highlight major gaps in the consumer protections in the dental industry, where patients are often asked to prepay tens of thousands of dollars for work.

“There is little to no protection for when things go wrong. Professional indemnity insurance covers some work that might be faulty, but it doesn’t cover the non-delivery of services,” she says.Ìý

A dental bond scheme could offer a solution

Mullen says she would like to see the introduction of a bond system, in which a government body holds the dental fees and releases it to the dentist when the work is successfully completed. The system would be similar to the way residential tenancy bonds are held.Ìý

“The dentist can access the money once the work is completed, but if anything should prevent the work from being completed you can get it back, it essentially remains your money, until the work is done,” she says.Ìý

Amanda supports the idea and says it would have saved her from losing her money.Ìý

“People shouldn’t have to pay a lump sum like that, and if they do, it should be put somewhere that is completely independent from the practitioner until the work is complete,” she says.Ìý

Ahpra’s Dental Board says it doesn’t have the power to advocate on behalf of patients in financial matters and has no oversight of the setting of dental fees.Ìý

The Board says it recently released new guidance for the use of superannuation to fund dental work after “concerns” were raised within Ahpra as well as the Australian Taxation Office.Ìý

“The significant increase in applications for future dental treatments in recent years raises concerns that some practitioners may be placing profits over patient care,” the Board says.Ìý

It added that it would not be appropriate for the Board to comment on whether stronger consumer protections were needed.Ìý

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On this page:

• How much does the dentist cost?
• Teeth whitening, implants, wisdom teeth and specialists
• Why do dentist costs vary so much?
• Does Medicare cover dental treatment?
• Private health insurance and dental costs
• How often do you need to go to the dentist?

About 4 in 10 Australians delayed or avoided a trip to the dentist due to cost in 2017-18, and more recently a number of people were not able to visit a dentist due to COVID-19 says theÌý,Ìý

How much does the dentist cost?

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) surveys dental practitioners to provide average price data on more than 120 dental treatments. Overall the fees charged by general practitioners increased by 3.7% over the two-year period from 1 July 2020 to 1 July 2022, well below the CPI.

According to ADA data from 2022, the average cost of a periodic check-up including an examination, scale and clean and a fluoride treatment is around $219 (dental item numbers 012, 114 and 121).Ìý

But there’s a wide variation between different dentists – the cheapest will cost you $162 for those three items, and the most expensive will set you back $309.

Prices also depend on where you live

The ADA fee survey shows big price variations for the average cost of dental work depending on where you live across Australia. In general, people in SA and WA paid the cheapest prices.

Teeth whitening, implants, wisdom teeth and specialists

Why do dentist costs vary so much?

Dentists are free to set their own fees. Unlike medical services covered by Medicare, which have prescribed rebates and for which the AMA provides their members with recommended fees, there are no standard fees for services provided by dentists or other dental professionals in Australia.

Dentists’ prices depend on a range of factors – such as location, overheads and experience, as well as factors that affect the degree of difficulty and time involved in doing a procedure on a specific patient and differences in the method or materials that are appropriate to each case.

You ultimately have the right to choose whether to go ahead with a particular treatment plan or not, but most of us don’t have expertise in dentistry. This makes it hard to know whether a dental practitioner’s recommendation is the best course of action or if they’re trying to make a profit at your expense.

Does Medicare cover dental treatment?

Dentistry is still unaffordable for many Australians.ÌýUnfortunately, dental services are only covered by Medicare under certain circumstances.

Public dental care

Public dental care is available only to a limited segment of the Australian population and waitlists can be long. Eligibility requirements for public dental care vary across states and territories but it is usually available to those with a healthcare or pensioner concession card.

In case of a dental emergency such as a dental condition that causes difficulty with breathing, tooth fracture that exposes a nerve or bleeding that doesn’t stop, call your nearest community dental clinic or hospital emergency department.Ìý

Free dental care for children

Under the Child Dental Benefit Scheme, children aged between two and 17 are eligible for free basic dental care such as check-ups, fillings, seals, extractions and root canal (up to the value of $1052 over two calendar years) if their parent, carer or guardian receives the Family Tax Benefit Part A or a relevant Australian Government payment.Ìý For more information see .

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Private health insurance and dental costs

When it comes to dental costs and private health insurance, there are two elements you’ll want to understand in order to choose a provider that offers you the best value for money.

• Rebates: This may be a percentage such as 60% or fixed dollar benefit amount for each item number, and is probably where you’ll save the most money.
• Preferred provider networks: Some funds have ‘preferred providers’. Using these means you’ll pay less in fees and get higher rebates, but it locks you into using particular providers.

To get value for money on your extras insurance you’ll need to make sure you’re getting more back from the fund than what you’re paying them in premiums, which is where rebates come in.

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The average rebate available from private health insurers for a regular check-up – periodic exam, scale and clean plus fluoride – is $124. Though how much you get back will depend on your policy – some policies offer as much as 100% of the cost of a check-up.

Dental rebates vary not only across funds, but also between policies within funds and for the service being claimed. Funds also don’t publish the rebates they offer for all items of dental treatment in all circumstances, so check if you need special treatment before you sign up.

Watch out for annual and lifetime limits

In addition to the rebates, you’ll also want to check the annual limits for each category (for example, there may be different upper limits for general and major dental work), as well as lifetime limits on particular services (such as orthodontic work). Compare your extras cover.

Expect to pay more to cover major dental work

While nearly all policies will provide rebates for preventative dental care such as check-ups (exam/scale and clean/fluoride), fewer policies are willing to fork out for more expensive work such as braces and crowns. For those policies that do cover major dental work, the premiums will generally be more expensive.

Preferred providers

Some dental practices sign up to be part of a private health insurer’s ‘preferred provider network’ to attract clients (and some dental clinics are even owned by a fund). In return for being listed as a fund’s preferred provider, the private health insurer will set the maximum price the dentist can charge the fund’s clients. Prices set by the insurance fund for its clients are generally a bit lower than prices charged to other consumers, but it locks you into using particular providers.

Using a fund’s preferred provider (not all funds have them) may save you some money in fees, but the flipside is you may have fewer dental practices to choose from, or may have to travel a considerable distance to find a preferred provider with your fund, particularly if you live outside the major cities.Ìý

The ADA has been taking aim at private health insurers for the market power they’re gaining through their preferred provider schemes.Ìý

Higher rebates for dental check-ups

In addition to lower negotiated costs at preferred providers, some funds may also offer a higher rebate if you choose a preferred provider.Ìý

While Australia’s five largest funds (Bupa, HBF, HCF, Medibank and NIB) all have an extensive network of preferred providers, smaller funds often pay the same benefits for all dentists, or only have a handful of preferred providers or dental centres.Ìý

Other funds with a network of providers include Australian Unity, GMHBA, Peoplecare and TUH.Ìý

How often do you need to go to the dentist?

Regular routine check-ups are importantÌý–Ìýnot just for the teeth but also the gums and the mouth as a whole. But how often you need to see the dentist depends on your personal risk level.

The 2011Ìý for dental check-up frequency is:Ìý

“Everyone has different oral health needs and risk levels which should be reflected in the frequency of check-ups. Talk with your oral health professional about yours and how frequently you need to visit for an oral health check.”

So why do many dental practices encourage six-monthly check-ups as standard?

The six-monthly recommendation is outdated, says Professor Hans Zoellner, head of oral pathology at the University of Sydney.Ìý

This recommendation was questioned as far back as 1977, and more recently, a 2013 Cochrane review found there was insufficient evidence either “to support or refute the practice of six-monthly recalls”.

And a review of evidence by the National Oral Health Promotion Clearing House found “no evidence that any particular interval between check-ups is more effective than another, or that six-monthly recalls are more appropriate than other longer intervals”.

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A whopping two million Australians put off going to the dentist or orthodontist in the past year because of the cost. If you’re one of them, then going down the DIY path for things such as teeth whitening or teeth straightening may well appeal.

And if fixing your wonky teeth is a priority, you’ve probably spotted ads for teeth-straightening kits on social media or online from brands including Franksmile, Wondersmile and EZ Smile (who were fined in 2020 for ).

SmileDirectClub, which is relatively new in Australia, is a US company flooding Facebook feeds in particular with claims that it “can straighten most smiles in an average of six months” (and save you up to 60% of the cost of traditional braces).

But does SmileDirectClub’s teeth straightening work? And what are the risks? We ask the experts.

Do teeth-straightening kits work?

For those of us who covet a straighter smile, DIY dental kits certainly sound tempting (and cheaper than you’d expect to pay a professional).

But Australia’s peak dental bodies warn that it’s a case of .

“It’s about buying a dental impression kit over the internet, taking moulds of your own teeth, receiving a set of clear plastic aligners in the mail and then doing your own orthodontic treatment at home without any direct supervision from an orthodontist – and that opens the door to potential problems,” says Dr Howard Holmes, vice president of the Australian Society of Orthodontists.

“If you’re a young adult with healthy teeth, healthy gums, no wisdom teeth and a normal bite who only has very minor crowding or crooked teeth, it might work for you,” he adds.

“But that’s a big ‘might’. And although it may seem cost-effective, when you take on board the risks that come with it and the potential ongoing costs if you don’t get the results you’re after, or if you develop dental complications, it’s actually not going to work out that much cheaper than seeing a specialist in the first place.”

Dr Carmelo Bonanno, president at the Australian Dental Association, agrees: “With respect to orthodontic treatment, there are many dangers and limitations of consumers attempting to move their own teeth with at-home kits,” he says.

What is SmileDirectClub?

SmileDirectClub was founded in the US five years ago by two friends – Alex Fenkell and Jordan Katzman – who met as teens, both bearing a mouthful of braces. Their mission as adults, they say, was to make “it affordable and convenient to transform your smile”.

The result? A home-use teeth-straightening kit that customers can order on the internet.

Kay Oswald, president of International SmileDirectClub, claims the company has helped more than 700,000 people globally, and has started trading in Australia this year due to “a demand for a more affordable and convenient alternative to traditional braces”.

“We’re making it easier for the customer to transform their smile by eliminating the need for timely in-office visits,” he says.

“The average clear aligner therapy plan takes six months, whereas traditional braces take an average of 18 months. Mild to moderate cases [which can be treated by SmileDirectClub] include space between teeth, crowding, rotations and some minor bite correction.”

How does the service work?

After passing a basic dental history quiz, you buy an impression kit to make moulds of your smile at home (or visit a ‘SmileShop’ to have it done – there are a limited number of branches across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth).

Once SmileDirectClub receives the moulds, it has them “reviewed by an AHPRA [Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency]-reviewed dentist or orthodontist”. The company then custom-makes plastic aligners and posts them to you, instructing you to wear them continuously for 22 hours per day, except when eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.

Oswald says its web-based teledentistry platform enables customers to communicate with “dental techs and prescribing doctors” via text, email, chat or phone.

“Remote check-ins are required every 90 days to ensure the customer’s smile is progressing as planned,” adds Oswald.

What are the downsides?

The notion of “remote check-ins” begs the question: is it really safe to use such kits if a dentist or orthodontist is never looking in or probing around your mouth?

“The fact that there is no face-to-face contact is a concern,” says Dr Bonanno. “These sorts of treatments, if not undertaken correctly, can cause permanent damage to the teeth, gums, jaw or jaw joints. We are aware of reports overseas of inferior treatment results.”

Dr Holmes adds that no orthodontist would ever consider treating a patient without first reviewing an X-ray of their teeth and jaws.

“Because you’re moving teeth through the jaws, through the bone,” he says. “And if there are no X-rays and no clinical examination, the person supposedly overseeing that treatment won’t be able to diagnose or detect gum disease (with associated bone loss around teeth), cracks in teeth, tooth decay, extra teeth hiding in the jaw bone, or even more sinister things like tumours or cysts.”

By comparison, a specialist orthodontist will thoroughly assess and address all dental issues – and leave you with a good-looking smile, a stable bite and no muscle or jaw problems, adds Dr Holmes.

“These are all really important from a dental health point of view and it goes beyond a quick cosmetic fix … which is essentially what these direct-to-consumer companies offer,” he says.

“They can do treatment in six months because they’re not fully addressing all the tooth alignment and bite issues and, in some cases, [they’re] actually making them worse.”

How much does SmileDirectClub cost?

SmileDirectClub has two pricing options: a one-off payment of $2499, or $99 a month for 24 months on top of a $399 deposit ($2775 in total).

You may also need to pay $79 for a remote impression kit if you’re unable to visit a Smile Shop for a free imaging appointment.

Costs for traditional metal braces can vary, but are roughly in the range of $5000 to $9000 for a standard 18-month plan.

Invisalign claim their treatment costs are similar to those for traditional braces, and while they don’t advertise specific costs, they do recommend speaking to an Invisalign-trained doctor for precise costs based on the complexity of your treatment.

“That said, a budget- or time-conscious patient who doesn’t want 18 months of braces or aligners and just wants slightly straighter teeth may be surprised at quicker, more limited treatment options orthodontists can also offer,” says Dr Holmes.

“And they can do it safely and in the same time and for roughly the same cost as if you order an impression kit or visit a retail scan shop and then try to do it yourself.”

Whichever path you choose, if you’re considering DIY straightening kits, experts say it’s critical to ask questions and do your research.

“We recommend consumers at least seek a face-to-face consultation with a dentist or orthodontist beforehand,” says Dr Bonanno.Ìý

Invisalign vs SmileDirectClub

Although SmileDirectClub and Invisalign are both based on the same principle – teeth straightening with the use of clear aligners – an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist is involved in the Invisalign process every step of the way, says Dr Holmes.

He adds that the other difference with Invisalign is that in some cases orthodontists will attach little resin “dots” or “buttons” onto some teeth as part of the Invisalign teeth-straightening process.

“Without those small attachments, the teeth are not going to move in the way they’re supposed to, and anything you order online won’t have those put on your teeth because you’re not physically seeing an orthodontist,” he says.

“So a lot of the movement you’re after just won’t work by just having the plastic aligners. You need these sort of adjuncts plus regular supervision and adjustments along the treatment journey to ensure you get a successful result with clear aligner therapy.”

What to do if something goes wrong

If you have an issue with treatment by a registered orthodontist, there are avenues open to you.

“There’s a complaints process, there are regulators, that particular orthodontist is going to be accountable,” explains Dr Holmes.

By contrast, with more than 1000 customer complaints about SmileDirectClub on the Better Business Bureau’s website in the US, dental bodies here are concerned about Australian consumers hopping on the DIY trend.

“Governments should protect the public by legislating to control the provision of do-it-yourself dentistry,” says Dr Bonanno.

Oswald tells ÌÇÐÄVlog that “liability for clinical care issues with treatment is no different than it would be in a traditional dentist or orthodontist setting”.

But the terms on SmileDirectClub’s Australian site say that users must agree to release the company, its affiliates and third-party service providers “from all claims, demands and damages” arising from or connected to their “use of this site and its services”.

According to Sarah Agar, ÌÇÐÄVlog’s head of campaigns and policy, if SmileDirectClub uses these terms and conditions to try to prevent customers from claiming a refund if the product doesn’t work, this would probably break the Australian Consumer Law.Ìý

“It’s not possible to contract out of consumer guarantee rights,” she says.

Greater complexity, more complications

A spokesperson for AHPRA and the Dental Board of Australia did not directly respond to questions about whether there should be tighter laws to protect consumers.Ìý

But the spokesperson did say they are aware of the increase in DIY dental offerings and that it’s important for consumer health regulators to monitor any complaints from consumers.

“The more complex a patient’s dental concerns, the greater the risk that a DIY product will not be fit for purpose and may lead to other complications,” says the spokesperson.

“Any consumer considering a DIY dentistry option should make sure they understand how the treatment will work, what are the risks, what are the intended outcomes and what are the costs.

“If this information is not clear, AHPRA would recommend you seek advice from a registered dental practitioner before proceeding with a DIY offering.”

The post Do SmileDirectClub’s home teeth straightening kits work? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Medical tourism agencies
• Where to go
• Teething problems
• Scaremongering?
• Before you bite
• Case studies

Medical tourism agencies

If you’re up for it, there are plenty of medical tourism agencies to help you on your way. Many offer a range of medical options – from cosmetic surgery to elective surgery, eye surgery and fertility treatment while others specialise in one area, such as dental.

These agencies will organise your flights, accommodation and even sightseeing (but not travel insurance, in case a procedure goes wrong). They will provide advice on hospitals regarding their success rates and complications, and whether they are accredited by organisations such as the International Organization for Standardizations or the Joint Commission International.

Where to go

There are plenty of exotic countries to choose from, but most Australians looking for discount dental work are flocking to Malaysia and Thailand. Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok sees 11,000 overseas visitors, with about 500-600 Australians walking through the doors, according to Marketing Director Kenneth Mays. “We provide a complete dental centre, staffed by 55 full- and part-time dental specialists, 26 [of whom] trained and/or have been board-certified in the US, UK, Japan or Australia,” he says.

Barbara Sherriff, who owns Queensland travel agency My Body and Spirit, specialises in sending clients to Thailand for dental work, cosmetic surgery and laser eye surgery. She says the business came about as a result of her husband’s dental woes. “He needed significant dental treatment and was quoted $25,000, which was just far too much.”

Sheriff, a travel agent already familiar with Thailand, looked into having the treatment there instead. She visited The Bangkok Hospital in Phuket with her husband, and was impressed with the facilities, not to mention the cost – $5500.

As a result, the couple started a health travel service to Thailand which sent more than 160 clients to Thailand in 2011, 75% of whom were for dental. “We’ve seen people who’ve been quoted up to $60,000 for substantial work and simply cannot afford to have it done in Australia,” she explains. “We now receive up to 20 enquiries a week, and most of these are from people wanting dental work.”

Teething problems

While the (ADA) acknowledges that Ìýis on the rise, they want people to be aware of the risks.

“For a third of the price and a holiday at the same time it sounds like an offer that’s too good to be true – but it isn’t that good,” says former federal president Dr John Matthews. “Most people go overseas because they want fairly complex dentistry done, and the more complex it is, the more likely that something will go wrong. And when it fails, it fails big time.”

Dr Carmelo Bonanno, a Canberra dentist and federal executive of the ADA, says people need to understand the implications of taking their dental care offshore. “Overseas dentists may or may not have the training and experience, but with your Australian dentist it is very clear. If you see me you know where I’ve been trained and that I’m registered, and if you’re not happy with the work there are avenues to complain.”

Bonanno says if people choose to head overseas, they may be in for unexpected additional costs. A former patient of his chose to go to Asia for cosmetic dentistry, which was so badly done, it will take significant work and a lot more money to get it fixed at home.

Scaremongering?

The medical travel agents ÌÇÐÄVlog spoke to say they’ve had no complaints from the customers they deal with and that they provide a full estimate of the time required for treatment before their clients even book a flight, as well as a high level of care in quality hospitals.

“Our clients’ cases and x-rays are reviewed by the head of dental in The Bangkok Hospital, and all the details are put into place meticulously,” says Sheriff.

Cassandra Italia owns Global Health Travel, which offers similar services to My Body and Spirit. She feels that detractors of medical tourism have a level of ignorance about the countries in question.

“A lot of people in Australia have a perception that countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and India would have bad conditions in the hospitals, maybe slack infection control and be very Third World. Certainly from my experience visiting the Bangkok and Bumrungrad hospitals, I didn’t find this the case. Bumrungrad has a surgical site infection rate of only 0.39%, which is well below the worldwide benchmark.”

Italia believes much of this talk is scaremongering by those wanting to keep their patients. She says many of her clients have been refused access to their dental records or x-rays by local dentists if they want them to take overseas. “We tell people to get a referral from a GP to see a radiologist in order to get the x-rays,” says fellow agent Sheriff.

Before you bite

Despite the divided opinions, both sides of the argument agree that if you decide to seek treatment overseas, you’ll be going it alone. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to get travel insurance, and with no clear avenues to complain if you aren’t happy with the work, there are risks.

Furthermore, the agencies that organise your treatment and travel make it clear they’re only providing the tools and information to allow the customer to make the final choice. Global Health Travel’s website clearly states: “We will not encourage, advise, advocate or underwrite any of the doctors or healthcare facilities in our network. The final choice is completely yours.”

If you’re considering overseas treatment:

• Research online or try to visit the hospital beforehand. Look for reviews or places recommended by expatriates living in that country. Many hospitals provide background details on their dentists, including qualifications and where they trained.
• Ask questions. Ask for a full treatment plan and ask about the time frame, as well as the total costs.
• Make time. Don’t book an inflexible airfare or limited annual leave, as you may need to stay longer than expected.
• Accept that you may need to go back for more work. You may lose the savings you made initially.

If you decide to stay at home:

• Extras insurance will help pay for some dental costs, but it won’t pay for everything.
• Set up a fund if extras insurance is too costly – consider putting aside money each month for future dental costs. It takes discipline, but the alternative (ie. being caught short and needing to borrow money or forgo treatment) is worse.
• Check the details because serious oral and maxillofacial surgery may fall under your hospital insurance.
• Look after your teeth. Good preventative dental care will help avoid problems in the first place.

Case studies

After a pricey trip to the dentist, ÌÇÐÄVlog journalist Kate Browne wondered if staying at home for dental work was worth the added expense.

“A check-up with my dentist left my head spinning and it wasn’t from the gas. Just 18 months after my last visit, the prognosis wasn’t good.

A pregnancy with severe morning sickness had taken its toll. It turns out that vomiting every day is not only revolting but isn’t great for your teeth either. The result? Acid damage and cavities, which required nine new fillings. To make matters worse, I also needed root canal work and a crown.

The estimated out-of-pocket cost after my private health cover was more than $6000. In a family of four with just one working member (I was on maternity leave), an unexpected $6000 isn’t welcome.

Having travelled to Thailand before, I researched it as an option. A return fare to Bangkok at the time was about $869, accommodation in a basic hotel was $378 for three weeks, and the same dental work at a well-known international hospital was estimated at $1800. Throw in a little spending money and time in one of my favourite cities and I would’ve still been almost $3000 better off.

The only thing that stopped me from jumping on a plane was my toddler, baby and a husband who might not forgive me for leaving him with the kids while I flew halfway around the world for about a month. As a result I reluctantly took the local option, and while the work was excellent, several months later I am still paying off the bill.”

We also spoke to ÌÇÐÄVlog reader David Sanderson, who travelled from Sydney to Thailand for major dental surgery, including implants and a replacement crown.

“I’d used up my lifetime insurance limits for periodontic work and faced paying the entire amount.”

David did his research before making a decision, going online for names of dentists and surgeries. He then trawled online discussion forums for recommendations, particularly those where expatriates discussed the best places. In the end he was happy with the work, the standards at the clinic and the entire cost, which was less than half of what he was quoted in Australia.

“I also believe my Thai dentists were more expert and knowledgeable than my Australian dentist. My Australian dentist recommended getting crowns on all my upper teeth, but my Thai one convinced me that was not advisable and also replaced my broken crown with a type that was likely to be more durable.”

However, David says it’s important to research before choosing a clinic. “There were other clinics I saw that I wouldn’t recommend. Find out if the clinic you’ve chosen has a good reputation and be prepared to pay more for higher quality – you’ll still be getting a bargain.”

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