Thinking of getting Dental treatment in hungary

Vampireskiss

I am considering having dental treatment in hungary, in fact I have a consultation in dublin next week with this agency http://www.access-smile.ie/. I have heard a few things about treatment abroad ranging from great low cost treatment to horror stories like messing up ones mouth and using inferior items for treatment. I know alot of irish dentists are advising against it but they would wouldn't they, I mean its hitting them in the pocket big time.The thing is I have no other option, I just cant afford the 3 crowns and 3 or 4 fillings I need to get, and no dentist is willing to accept a payment plan they want the full whack for crowns before treatment. I am sorry but I can't afford it and I cant get a loan as I am paying one back already ,perhaps if an irish dentist was willing to comprimise on how I pay for the treatment I would stay in ireland.My question though is what are peoples general opinion of treatment in hungary?

Big_G

It seems you've made up your mind about treatment in Hungary. Why do you need to know what other people think? You've also said you are aware of some good experiences and bad experiences. I don't think you are going to get any more information here than you already have. Please read the endless other threads on this topic.

res ipsa

Those guys advertise root canal treatment with ozone sterilisation for 119euro.

And there was I thinking it was impossible to sterilise a root canal....

terribletim

Are they related to these people in any way, or do they just have the same web-designer (and logo)?

Big_G

I wouldn't think so. Different prices. But you never know. I had a look at the prices on access-smile. Basic treatments cost the same. They are a little bit cheaper for crowns, but they charge for temporary crowns! This brings the cost closer to an Irish crown, because there wouldn't be many Irish dentists who would charge extra for a part of the procedure that is necessary for success.

terribletim

You know, if everybody is heading east for dental work to the point where it's hitting Irish Dentists "in the pocket big time," I've got an old Lada:



And this sweet Trabant for sale:



PM me.

Big_G

The fact remains that the percentage of patients that travel abroad for treatment is small. So the only thing that is really hurting the pockets of Irish dentists is the recession. And the high cost of doing business in Ireland. And the current tax regime. Oh, and fees and payment issues with the medical card scheme.

Vampireskiss

Big_G wrote: »

It seems you've made up your mind about treatment in Hungary. Why do you need to know what other people think? You've also said you are aware of some good experiences and bad experiences. I don't think you are going to get any more information here than you already have. Please read the endless other threads on this topic.

I haven't made my mind up about it,if I had I wouldn't have posted here.I have heard two stories l , one being positive the other negative. I just wanted to get the general consenus based on more peoples opinion's so I can make up my mind based on people here have experienced or have heard.I also don't like the tone you responded to my post, it aired of bitterness.

Big_G

Sorry, no bitterness here. I have plenty of work to keep me going, and that is without the failed cases coming back from Eastern Europe. If you don't like the tone of my post that's tough. I don't enjoy answering the same questions over and over and over ad nauseum but I seem to do it anyway.

If you want an answer, the consensus from the dentists that post here is going to be don't do it. You won't get a consensus from patients because some have had good experiences and some have had bad experiences. You have to do what you think is right for you.

ballsymchugh

same hygienist in both places, the photos were all taken in front of the same window. and 400 yoyo for a composite filling on an anterior tooth... they may say they're saving money by bringing patients to hungary, but they're creaming it over here too!!

terribletim

I wouldn't want to speak for anyone else, but I don't think he was being bitter. There are countless threads about "dental tourism" - many of them full of comments from shills for Hungarian firms, etc.

To answer your question, the general consensus is: going over to the former communist block for dental treatment involves a degree of risk. There are many unscrupulous foreign dentists willing to perform hit-and-run dentistry because they know that if their patients have any complaints, they're a million miles away. What will you do if something goes wrong?

As Big_G pointed out, Irish dentists are feeling the recession, not so much competition from the the north or abroad. People generally don't want to have to travel for a dental appointment. Places outside the republic offer cheaper rates because they have a much lower overhead, not because Irish dentists are greedy. It's a simple as that.

It's unfortunate if you can't afford a local dentist, but remember:

"Economize, buy twice."

eth0_

Big_G wrote: »

It seems you've made up your mind about treatment in Hungary. Why do you need to know what other people think?

Ok...so what do you suggest the OP does when he's said he cannot afford to pay Irish prices and NONE of the dentists he's contacted will accept a payment plan (I presume he has been unable to obtain a bank loan for the work if he has been asking about payment plans).

What is he supposed to do? Let his teeth decay until he's saved up enough money to receive treatment in his own country?

georgieporgy

My first patient today is having crowns replaced in his 2 front teeth. He had them done in Budapest last year and is unhappy with their appearance.

I have another case trying to get her head around having 22 crowns replaced. All done in 3 days last year in Hungary. So I would say dental tourism hasn't been a success for those people but for me it's ok.

Big_G

eth0_ wrote: »

Ok...so what do you suggest the OP does when he's said he cannot afford to pay Irish prices and NONE of the dentists he's contacted will accept a payment plan (I presume he has been unable to obtain a bank loan for the work if he has been asking about payment plans).

What is he supposed to do? Let his teeth decay until he's saved up enough money to receive treatment in his own country?

No, I'm merely suggesting that he read the innumerable other threads on this topic instead of starting a new one, in which people continually take a cut at Irish dentistry and prices.

By the way, most Irish dentists will not ask for payment up front for anything. It is usually when work is completed. For more complex treatment such as crowns or dentures, usually 50% up front to cover the cost of lab fees etc. For things that require multiple visits like root canal, part payment as the treatment progresses is usually the norm.

I try to be as flexible and understanding as possible with my patients, especially considering the current climate. It is bad for business to be inflexible with payment.

I think most other Irish dentists would agree with me on that. Although I'm sure they can speak for themselves.

And I'm not suggesting in any way that the OP hasn't rung a number of dentists, which they said they have

Trics

Big_G, I do believe you are been unnecessarily gruff. I actually appreciate the conversation and was about to post similar myself, which by the way you are not compelled to reply to.

Big_G

You're entitled to your beliefs.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Sirius you said on a previous thread that you had a crown done up north....
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=62625341#post62625341 you also edited the price of this NHS crown 4 times.

Was it you or your friend? If it was you then whats the story with your post. This stinks of shilling.

I smell a rat here

Have since discovered that Sirus1 is also the previously banned used Cephei....Sirus1 permaban

terribletim

I'm starting to get the impression that The Best Dentist in Ireland practices in Newry.

ballsymchugh

or someone from newry spends ages on boards...
i wonder what they work at?!