WhatClinic.com Blog

A report on the BBC News website suggests that the European Commission have today delayed their report dealing with medical tourism between EU states for "agenda reasons".

The delay should come as no surprise though as there have been strong rumours of discontent amongst the various EU health ministers about the effects of the report, particularly to do with added strain on their own health systems from inward patients and on their health budgets from unexpected outward patients.

It seems now as if each country will be able to run a system to pre-approve each patient’s right to having their treatment costs covered, which in effect changes very little from how things stand today apart from standardising the system slightly.

If the European Commission does manage to stand their ground in the face of this opposition, they will in effect create a pan-European healthcare system, where patients will be in control of spending the money allocated for their treatment by their local health system, a fairly revolutionary idea.

Bluecross Blueshield, who we mentioned in the previous post, are now offering their policy holiders the ability to get their dental treatment done overseas.

Bluecross Blueshield is one of the more forward thinking insurance plans available in the USA and offers its members the option of getting their medical treatment done overseas at accredited hospitals. This is the first time they have offered dental treatment abroad.

Currently there are only two dental clinics involved in the scheme, Prisma Dental Clinic and Meza Dental Care, which are both in Costa Rica. No doubt this network will continue to grow and evolve during 2008.

Link to the press release

There has been an unusual twist in the medical tourism industry in Ireland, a country typically known as a source market for medical tourism, where up to 10,000 people travel abroad just for dental treatment every year. Now it seems that one of Ireland's top hospitals, The Blackrock Clinic, is trying to tempt international medical tourists to come to Ireland.

The Blackrock Clinic is a JCI accredited hospital on the outskirts of Dublin city and tends to provide it's services to the wealthier citizens of Ireland. However, it would seem that the hospital is attempting to expand it customer base overseas as they have started offering Bluecross Bluesheild US insurance plan holders a discount on procedures.

The Blackrock Clinic is the second hospital to join the Companion Global Healthcare network after Bumrungrad in Thailand. What is unusual here is that Bumrungrad can offer US citizens massive cost-savings, whereas it is likely that the Blackrock Clinic's prices will be much closer to those in the US than in Thailand.

It can be frustrating and confusing trying to find out just how much a dental implant is going to cost. Why does the cost vary so much from dentist to dentist, and why after your initial consultation can you be given yet a different price again? At RevaHealth.com we have seen patients quoted everything from €500 to €7,500 for a single implant.

Unfortunately, as much as we would all like to compare prices directly, dentistry is a complicated business and you need to make sure you are comparing like with like. Many unscrupulous clinics and agents will try to exploit this complexity in an attempt to make their services seem like better value. It is possible to save a fortune by shopping around, but it pays to be well informed.
Here are some of the leading factors that determine the final price of a dental implant.

The Type of Implant

If the price you have been quoted simply looks too low, make sure that it for a normal implant that will act as a titanium root for a full crown, as opposed to a mini-implants.
Mini-implants are smaller and are designed to anchor lower dentures. Normally several mini-implants are required to fix dentures in place.

The Brand

There are a large number of brands (over 50) that supply the titanium screws to dentists.
Each brand has its unique advantages and price. At the cheaper end there are brand like Ankylos which normally has a 5 year materials guarantee. At the more expensive end you have brands such as Nobel Biocare and Straumann, both of which normally come with a 10 year materials guarantee. Most implant specialists will offer a range of brands, with the difference in price being as much as 60%. Therefore when comparing prices you need to know exactly which brand is going to be used.

The Cap

The cap, sometimes called the abutment, sits on top of the implant and acts as a base for the crown. It is important to understand if the price you have been quoted includes the cap or not. Otherwise you could end up with an unexpected bill. As with the implant, there are several types of cap, for example titanium and zirconium, and the price varies by as much as 100%. Once again make sure you know what brand and material of cap has been included in the price you have been quoted.

Temporary Crown

Normally an implant is left in place for at least 3 months to let it attach properly to the jaw before the crown is placed. Some clinics offer a temporary crown that can be immediately placed on the implant, giving you the benefit of better smile during the healing process. You should know if the price you have been quoted includes this temporary crown.

Permanent Crown

The crown is the artificial tooth that is screwed or cemented onto each individual implant. Once again there are a huge range of different types of crowns each with their own benefits and prices. Go here to read more about dental crowns.

The Condition of your Jaw Bone

If the bone in your jaw is narrow or soft, then an implant will not have a good foundation for bonding properly with the jaw, and will most likely fail in a short period. This doesn’t mean that you can’t get an implant, but it does mean that you will most likely need a bone graft. This is where a piece of bone is removed from a different part of your body and grafted onto your jaw. This can add considerable expense to the process.

The Condition of your Teeth & Gums

The conditions of your teeth and gums also have an important role in determining the final price you are quoted. Gum disease will need to be treated prior to the implant procedure, and crowded teeth have to be accommodated. Normally this can only be discovered after the initial consultation with the dentist.

The Dentist’s Fee

The single largest element that affects the overall price of a dental implant is the Dentist’s own fee. Basically this is the amount he or she is charging once all their costs have been taken away. The variation in the dentist fee between
countries is staggering with differences of up to 1000%.

Go here if you want to read more about Dental Implants

If there is one place many of us dread to go, it is the dentist’s chair. The sight of a large syringe being injected into tender gums can bring tears to the eyes of even the most red-blooded person. Fears about the dreaded needle, as well as the sight and sound of the high-pitched drill are enough for many to avoid the dentist until we are in considerable pain ourselves. Recent advances in dentistry, however, along with age old relaxation techniques have gone a long way toward riding people of their needle phobia with the result that many patients are now leaving dental clinics without little or pain whatsoever.

CHILD’S PLAY

An English dentist has invented a technique known as photo-activated disinfection or P.A.D to attack decay in teeth. The method, popular in Australia and Japan, uses a special disinfectant, activated by laser, to kill instead of drill out the bacteria. The tooth can then rebuild itself aided by a porous sealant and a tooth mousse, which is used at home and promotes tooth growth. With no injection, no drilling and no filling, there is no “fear factor” and children, who have more reason than most to visit and be afraid of the dentist, reportedly like using the fruit-flavoured mousse on their teeth.

THE WAND

Many dentists throughout the world now use an electronic injection device called “The Wand”, a computer-controlled device that automatically “senses” the precise pressure and flow rate needed to administer the anaesthetic. “The Wand” works by using a very thin needle, which is positioned near the gum, but before the needle touches the gum a drop of anaesthetic numbs the surface tissue. As the dentist glides the needle into the gum, the tissue just ahead of the needle tip is numbed by the anesthesia. Once the needle is fully inserted, the computer slowly releases a stream of anaesthetic. There is no sudden prick or burning sensation. 82% of patients surveyed said “The Wand” is a completely painless process.

WATER-BASED LASERS

Dentists in America are using hi-tech laser type devices as an alternative to anaesthesia. Contrary to other laser devices, the dental laser doesn’t use heat and light directly; it uses water combined with air. The high pressure water laser numbs the nerves in the tooth as it cuts, eliminating the need for an anaesthetic. The laser also sterilises the tooth, enhancing the bond of the filling. Lasers operate with better precision than a drill, making it easier to remove decay and treat specific areas of the tooth. Healing time is also faster, so the risk of infection is greatly reduced. The procedure, according to patients is pain-free.

SURFACE ANAESTHESIA

This involves using an anaesthetic on the surface of the tooth or on the gum in the form of aerosol, gel, ointment, or solution. Surface anaesthesia is mainly used with minor pain procedures such as exploratory procedures, treating abscesses and the extraction of milk teeth in children. The technique can also be used to de-sensitise the insertion point of a needle for complex dental procedures.

THE POWER OF THE MIND

Many dentists today train their patients in hypnodontics, a form of hypnosis to control and eliminate pain. Through deep relaxation techniques, a soothing atmosphere and a calm, reassuring dentist, patients can learn to ease their anxieties and reduce their stress levels. For especially nervous people, dentists sometimes practice deep relaxation techniques in conjunction with harmless Nitrous Oxide or “laughing gas”.

MAKING THE WHOLE VISIT MORE COMFORTABLE

More dental clinics are now investing time and technology in painless anaesthetic options because they realise procedures which overcome patient’s fears can offer a competitive advantage in the market place. Dental clinics have also realised that certain people feel uncomfortable throughout their visit, and dislike sitting in the chair for long periods. To help them relax, special DVD glasses with a wide selection of movies and sitcoms are provided. Another way of taking people’s mind off what the dentist is doing is hand and foot massages before, during and after treatment.

Painless procedures like all of the above now available in clinics throughout the world, so there’s no real reason to fear a trip to the dentist in the future. With RevaHealth.com, you can quickly find and contact a dental clinic in the destination of your choice and ask about pain-free treatments.

1. 
   You want Accelerated Treatment – Your local dentist has told you that the work you want done will take four months! You have heard that Dentists in other countries will be able to do the work over a week. The first thing here is to understand why. Why is it going to take four months with your local dentist? It could simply be that he is busy and can’t fit you in, or there could be delays with the manufacturing lab. However, normally it’s because you are looking for a lot of work to be done and your dentist wants each piece of work to settle in before starting on the next piece of work. There are different opinions on how long should be left between particular dental treatments, but if you have been previously advised that your treatment should be spread over 6 months it is inadvisable to try and get a dentist abroad to provide the same complicated work in what might be too short a time period.

2. You need Orthodontics / Braces – Normally orthodontics require regular adjustments, sometimes as often as every two weeks. This is when your dentist will tighten/loosen the braces according to the movement of your teeth and is how they ensure that your teeth end up where you want them to be, so it is incredibly important. Some dental tourism clinics will offer this service locally in your home country (see RevaHealth.com to find out which), however most will not. For this reason orthodontics are normally unsuitable for the aspiring dental tourist.

3. You are Afraid – You are afraid of your dentist. The question that you have to ask yourself is – are your afraid of your dentist or are you afraid of all dentists? If you are only afraid of your own dentist then it is far easier to just find another one locally. Ask your friends and family for a recommendation. Travelling abroad to escape your local dentist is ridiculous. If you are afraid of all dentists then you will likely be just as afraid of the dentist overseas. Then there is a good chance that you won’t complete the treatment you need, which will leave you in a far worse position than when you started.

4. Small Savings – Travelling to a different country for dentistry, unless it is only a short drive away, simply isn’t worth it if all you are going to save is €500. You have to think of the travel costs, accommodation, etc. You also have to value your time, be it time off work or holiday time. On the other hand though, minor dental treatments, such as teeth whitening, can be easily combined with a holiday or business trip. The savings can then offset some of the cost of the trip.

5. You don’t want ‘unnecessary’ treatments – Your local dentist wants to do extensive preparatory work before starting on the work that you want done. It is expensive, and likely to be painful. While it can be tempting to think that by travelling overseas you will be able to get a dentist that will only do the work that you want done, this is normally inadvisable. If you do end up travelling the dentist overseas will more than likely agree with your local dentist and refuse to continue without the preparatory work. The best advice here is to seek a second opinion locally or consult one of the reputable dental tourism clinics fully by providing them with a panoramic x-ray before travelling.

6. Your local dentist refuses to treat you – Your local dentist has said that you are not suitable for a particular treatment: for example, gum disease may make dental implants inadvisable. You don’t know if he is trying to dismiss you because he simply doesn’t want the hassle or he doesn’t have the expertise/equipment to do the procedure successfully. You think that if you travel abroad you will be able to pressure the dentist into doing the treatment because of time constraints. This is always a bad idea. The best advice here is as above. Seek a second opinion locally or consult a reputable dental tourism clinic fully by providing them with a panoramic x-ray before travelling.

7. You don’t like travelling – For a lot of people travel is a bonus and the exposure to a foreign culture is its own reward. However, for some people it is simply harrowing, and the home sickness, communication problems and unfamiliarity make it an altogether unpleasant experience. If you don’t enjoy travelling then the additional stress will make you a poor patient, and you are probably better off staying at home, even if it ends up costing you more.

8. You don’t like responsibility – Dental Tourism can offer terrific savings, as much as 75%. However it simply isn’t suitable for people who are not prepared to take some responsibility for themselves. You have to spend considerable time researching your options, reading about other patients’ experiences and then also be prepared to return to the destination if follow up work is required. Choosing the wrong clinic or the wrong treatment because of your own lack of effort or knowledge could leave you in a worse position than when you started. Likewise if you don’t bother to complete your specified treatment plan.

9. You want a holiday – While it is perfectly feasible to combine minor dental work with a holiday, in general dentistry isn’t a lot of fun. If you are looking to have significant work done then it fairly unlikely that you will be in the mood to go out night-clubbing afterwards. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy yourself; it just means that you will probably have to take it easy to give yourself the best chance of a problem free recovery period.

10. You haven’t done your research – It is absolutely vital that you do your research thoroughly before you travel. Make sure you know exactly who your dentist is going to be, where and when they qualified, how many times they have preformed the treatment you will be having, and what their success rate is. Ensure you know how much everything is going to cost and what requirements there are for follow up work.