A new University of Otago-led study shows the number of New Zealanders travelling overseas for dental procedures is increasing, and they need to be just as careful.
Lead author and university tourism department researcher Prof Brent Lovelock said the study interviewed 20 dental professionals about their perceptions of the impact of outbound dental tourism on patients and practices.
"Although the dentists in our study acknowledged that much of the dental treatment received by New Zealanders overseas was of a high standard, they also encountered in their practices many Kiwis who have received sub-standard treatment abroad."
The study found cost was the main motivator for people to head overseas because the cost of living was increasing and Covid-19 related travel restrictions had been lifted.
"So many people may be considering combining overseas travel with dental treatment to hopefully make a saving.
"However, they really need to do their homework first.
"If you were visiting somewhere overseas and wanted to do a bungy jump, it’s likely that you would first check out the bungy company’s credentials and accident record.
"Likewise, dental tourists also need to do their due diligence."
It was important for people to find out as much information as possible about the procedure, and the dentist performing it — such as their qualifications, experience and quality of their practice, Prof Lovelock said.
It was also vital patients booked enough time for the treatment, which might require multiple visits to the dentist.
"And importantly, New Zealanders should share their dental records with their overseas dentist before travelling, and bring home the full record of their overseas treatment with them.
"We found that most dentists are very willing to talk to their patients about the risks and benefits of travelling overseas for dental treatment.
"It is much better to do this before travelling, rather than having difficult conversations once they return with a post-treatment problem."
Co-author and University of Otago dental researcher Prof Karl Lyons said patients who went overseas for treatments were not covered by the same consumer protections as those who had procedures in New Zealand.
People who were not satisfied with their treatment or services locally could make a complaint to a range of authorities who were not available to those who travelled abroad.
"Overseas dental treatment can be cost-effective and of high quality, but problems can sometimes arise.
"If there are complications with treatment received overseas, patients may find contacting the overseas dentist or practice difficult, and remediation treatment, whether in New Zealand or overseas, may be expensive."
He encouraged people considering dental tourism to plan well and involve their local dentist in the decision-making process.
