Dental treatment abroad

[EloiseintheSun]

Long shot perhaps - I'm going to Cologne in Germany soon for a few days. I also need quite a bit of dental work done including implants. The two are unrelated - for now. I really can't afford dentistry in the UK and there is pretty much no NHS dentistry in my area. Anyone possibly know of any good and hopefully cheaper dentists in that part of Germany - or anyone experience of using dentists abroad?

My former dentist went white when I mentioned going abroad but I wonder if it could work. Might be cheaper to go abroad for treatment, even several times, than pay what are really exorbitant prices here?

Thoughts, advice, suggestions? Thanks -

Eloise try a forum called Toytown, it is for English speakers in Germany. I've generally found posters helpful but it they can be pretty ruthless and sarcastic at times (worse than MN) so thicken your skin before you post!

Many thanks, Honey - I will try this forum and I'll remember to put on another layer of skin as I do!

You can try the living overseas section of MN too, there is a Germany and Austrua thread. I live in Germany and I don't think a dentist would treat you without insurance, but I could be wrong.

From the NHS website:-

How to minimise the chance of a problem

Do your homework
Anybody travelling outside the UK for treatment needs to do some research. Check the qualifications of the dentist who will treat you and make sure he or she is properly registered. For more advice on how to do your research if you’re considering treatment overseas, see Risks of treatment abroad and Questions to ask the surgeon or dentist.

Have a consultation with a qualified dentist
The General Dental Council (GDC) says that you should always be assessed by a qualified dentist before being given a treatment plan and cost estimate.

Speak to your own dentist
The GDC also advises people to speak to their own dentist as they may be able to offer advice based on your dental history. Your dentist will also need to be aware of your plans in case of any complications.

Think of your aftercare
Ensure you have proper documentation in English about your procedure in case you need follow-up treatment in the UK.

Don’t underestimate the communication difficulties
Consider how you would deal with a potential language barrier. There may also be cultural differences.

You could find that your expectations of how a doctor or dentist should communicate with a patient are not met. You may also feel more vulnerable in an environment that is unfamiliar, especially if you can’t easily ask questions.

I have found pretty much all medical treatment vastly better in Germany than the UK, but you won't get non emergdncy treatment on request without the right insurance card/ paperwork.

Don't forget to find out how they will fix it if you have any problems. You can't go tripping back to Germany on a Saturday morning if a filling falls out or the implant is painful.