Dental treatment costs here vs the North

ballsymchugh

Dante Dirty Underarm wrote: »

We got our teeth done in Slovakia this summer.

Total cost was €140.
Bear in mind that wages are a lot lower than here. But all in all it was better value.

you're probably the first person in a few years that recognises two completely different economies.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Its generally cheaper to have treatment in the south than the north of Ireland for the past few years, especially advanced and implant treatments. The difference on fillings is zero when you factor in the time off, currency and travel costs. If you want to go for low quality low cost dental work that can be had in the south now too (which is a shame). However some people still like to travel up North for some reason.

Most dentist know the value of their work and charge accordingly. See this thread for a perspective on what I and many other dentists deal with on a daily basis and judge if this is the bargain your after.....if you feel I am scaremongering then bon voyage and good luck.

mudbingo

I am delighted to see that someone got -scaling ,polishing ,X ray and 5 fillings fo 140 euro in total , in Slovakia-,perhaps in Bratislava?

-there are flights to Bratislava in October for a week at app 70 euro return.

-Similar costs for the above are quoted at ,in total at app 325 euro in Budapest

-and are quoted at app 845 euro in Dublin

Have a dental tourist holiday,-and save money

- which you may need for Bailout taxes!

Morgans

Have to get a root canal and crown on a back upper molar. I'm unsure of the costs and have come here to do some research on my options.

I find the vested interest argument about cost of petrol, currency conversion rates, and time off work so disheartening and completely clouding the point.

The idea that all ROI dentists/endodontists are immaculate and all NI ones are sloppy butchers also disappointing.

If you lived on the border, who would you choose?

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Morgans wrote: »

Have to get a root canal and crown on a back upper molar. I'm unsure of the costs and have come here to do some research on my options.

I find the vested interest argument about cost of petrol, currency conversion rates, and time off work so disheartening and completely clouding the point.

The idea that all ROI dentists/endodontists are immaculate and all NI ones are sloppy butchers also disappointing.

If you lived on the border, who would you choose?

There is only one or two endodontists in NI and they charge the same as in the ROI.

You can get cheaper treatment than NI in the south from several dental clinics.

If the actual cost (fees + cost of actually going there) is clouding the point then thats your prerogative Its a bit like saying that a 100 euro item in Ireland can be gotten cheaper in china for 80 euro, but the 30 euro shipping is irrelevant to the comparison.

Morgans

Thanks on the info regarding endodontists. That's a genuine help. Thank you.

Manuel Disgusting Self-starter wrote: »

If the actual cost (fees + cost of actually going there) is clouding the point then thats your prerogative Its a bit like saying that a 100 euro item in Ireland can be gotten cheaper in china for 80 euro, but the 30 euro shipping is irrelevant to the comparison.

Its not at all like saying that. Im not saying that the auxilliary costs should be discounted. They should be added in.

However, to justify the higher price in the ROI, the argument on this thread is akin to saying - if you want to spend 100 in petrol, take two days off work, currency + commission + credit card charges, food etc etc etc

All these auxillary costs (for the want of a better term) are added into the chinese item however, nothing is added to the Irish item. Petrol is not needed to travel in ROI, there is never shipping costs for Irish goods, no credit card charges either, no need to take off work etc.

All the conversations assumes that the posters are living in Dublin, assumes that they wouldnt have to take time off to visit a Dentist in ROI, assumes that they woudlnt have to travel to visit a dentist in ROI.

As a dentist, do many people in NI come down for the apparently superior better service in the ROI?

Morgans

Apologies Mods, double post

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Morgans wrote: »

Thanks on the info regarding endodontists. That's a genuine help. Thank you.



Its not at all like saying that. Im not saying that the auxilliary costs should be discounted. They should be added in.

However, to justify the higher price in the ROI, the argument on this thread is akin to saying - if you want to spend 100 in petrol, take two days off work, currency + commission + credit card charges, food etc etc etc

All these auxillary costs (for the want of a better term) are added into the chinese item however, nothing is added to the Irish item. Petrol is not needed to travel in ROI, there is never shipping costs for Irish goods, no credit card charges either, no need to take off work etc.

All the conversations assumes that the posters are living in Dublin, assumes that they wouldnt have to take time off to visit a Dentist in ROI, assumes that they woudlnt have to travel to visit a dentist in ROI.

As a dentist, do many people in NI come down for the apparently superior better service in the ROI?

Ok then the 100 euro item in the south has 10 euro postage, and the 80 euro item with 30 postage offers no price advantage and a lot more hassle to get it and send it back if anything is wrong..

Yes I have NI patients and those from boarder counties, others go to good dentist in NI that charge a bit more. Other have NHS coverage and stay with NHS dentists.

The price advantage of NI is gone and has been for several years, the perception of the bargain is stubbornly staying.

rubadub

You just have to work it out yourself. I hate travelling so even if there was some saving I would not do it. This comes up when people go up north to get beer etc too.

They will be delighted to save a real €100, i.e. when petrol etc is taken into account. The question I have is if my neighbour popped in and said "will you drive up north on saturday, I will pay your petrol, and get me 10 cases of beer, nappies, food etc, but you are not allowed buy anything yourself, heres all the money and €100 for yourself". I would say no thanks, some might jump at the chance, the stress of driving/commuting etc is not worth giving up my saturday.

I know some who treat it like a holiday though, could suit some.

mudbingo

In replying to Morgans:

A molar and root canal in Dublin costs about 1375 euro.-

-In the North of Ireland -or the UK this costs about 905 euro

-In Budapest this costs about 470 euro

ballsymchugh

mudbingo wrote: »

In replying to Morgans:

A molar and root canal in Dublin costs about 1375 euro.-

-In the North of Ireland -or the UK this costs about 905 euro

-In Budapest this costs about 470 euro

you're completely wrong on the first two anyway.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Root canals with the specialist endodontists I use in the South is about 650 - 800 for a molar, 500-700 premolar and 500-600 for a front tooth. If you going to shop around try a little closer to home first you will save yourself money, time and hassle.

.lets compare treatment of totally different quality thats usually where these thread go next....

Morgans

Manuel Disgusting Self-starter wrote: »

Ok then the 100 euro item in the south has 10 euro postage, and the 80 euro item with 30 postage offers no price advantage and a lot more hassle to get it and send it back if anything is wrong..

Yes I have NI patients and those from boarder counties, others go to good dentist in NI that charge a bit more. Other have NHS coverage and stay with NHS dentists.

The price advantage of NI is gone and has been for several years, the perception of the bargain is stubbornly staying.

Yeah. This is grand. No complaints on this and genuinely delighted that the price differential has narrowed to next to nothing. At least there is recognition that there was a price advantage in the North, and the fact that you are travelling to Newry (maybe from Dundalk) and not to China to avail of the bargain means that going north was worth it. Instead of looking at their prices, many felt the need to paint all Northern Irish dentists as of lesser quality simply on the basis of the price they were offering for years, with little independent evidence. As was calculating figures like the extra depreciation in your car for travelling on forums like these.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

This is a consumer forum, I will leave the very real quality issues for another day. Whenever cost becomes the main concern, quality always suffers, this is true North and South. There are excellent Dentists North and South but dentists tend to know the value of their work.

maxer68

mudbingo wrote: »

In replying to Morgans:

A molar and root canal in Dublin costs about 1375 euro.-

-In the North of Ireland -or the UK this costs about 905 euro

-In Budapest this costs about 470 euro

Seapoint clinic blackrock co. Dublin did a wisdom tooth root canal a month ago for just over €750. Quoted region £650 by endodentist in Belfast for same procedure.

mudbingo

maxer68 wrote: »

Seapoint clinic blackrock co. Dublin did a wisdom tooth root canal a month ago for just over €750. Quoted region £650 by endodentist in Belfast for same procedure.

I should say that a MOLAR CROWN and root canal cost about 1375 euro -at least in Dublin ,including the Seapoint clinic-

-The crown and root canal in NOI /UK is about 950 euro


-The cost in Budapest is about 470 euro --so about 905 euro less - about 300 in flight and accomodatiion- with after care in the Budapest Dublin clinic??-
-A no brainer-as the Bank Manager

btkm8unsl0w5r4

mudbingo wrote: »

-The cost in Budapest is about 470 euro --so about 905 euro less - about 300 in flight and accomodatiion- with after care in the Budapest Dublin clinic??-
-A no brainer-as the Bank Manager

Agreed a no brainer if you have no interest in quality, aesthetics and dont mind paying to have it done again in a few years.:(

mudbingo

ballsymchugh wrote: »

you're completely wrong on the first two anyway.

You are quite correct -as in looking back ,people were quoted higher Prices!!

I know a lady in her 60's who gets dental work done in Krakow in Poland and they are very professional and really modern,the quality being excellent-and are about a1/4 the price of Dublin dental costs.

People on Boards explain about how they got value and quality in Slovakia.

Hungary is a recognised country of excellence of Dentistry.
I used a Budapest dental clinic,through their dublin based clinic.
Transport, accomodation,clinic work were all looked after ,-all explained -everything is very modern-there is a given guarantee,-and the cost is still about 1/4 of Dublin dental costs.

It's a pity that Dentists use Boards to worry people about quality etc
- in such a disengenuous way-as not all countries outside Ireland can be Quality deficient.

Save your money and take a dental holiday abroad!-come back smiling --and tanned.

BostonB

Not everyone is happy with Irish dentists either.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

mudbingo wrote: »

Save your money and take a dental holiday abroad!-come back smiling --and tanned.

Read this carefully before you make any decisions

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056058173

Pisturchiella

Hello, I am looking to have some dental work done and I looked at the hungarian option as well (I am not irish, and I don't have a family or trusted dentist here).
My doubts about dental truism is not around costs (different cost of living explains a lot) or around quality (there will be in Hungary top dentists and crap dentists, same as everywhere else) but around the fact that these clinics for dental tourists typically seem to carry on procedures that can take months (ex implants) in a couple of weeks or less...Mudbingo and others who had work done there, did you have the same doubts? and how have you been "reassured"? Thanks

dr.fuzzenstein

From what I can gather, the advise from Irish dentists seems to be "all dentists in the entire world are butchers, cowboys and fly-by-night operators who will leave you looking like Shane McGowan and then dump you as a patient, only Irish dentists can be trusted and you pay more money so you get the best dental care, not only on this planet, but any other alien civilization we might ever come in contact with"
Isn't it great to know that of all the countries in the entire world only Irish dentists can do a good job? Am I glad I live here. (by the way, I might be being a bit sarcastic here)

btkm8unsl0w5r4

No its the cheapo, low cost, dental tourism dentists we warn you about. There are excellent dentists in every country however they tend not to market to the know it all Irish bargain hunter who seem to think that is like buying a box of cereal.

It not just Irish dentists, Its UK dentists that warn about this, US dentists (Mexican dental tourism is strong there) infact almost every country has a problem with patient who cannot afford quality works taking the opportunity to go abroad to get inferior work in short time spans.

The good dentists in these countries cannot offer treatment in holiday time periods, they will not allow budget and time to dictate correct treatment protocols. They also cannot work for the low margins that these cheap treatments offer even in low cost economies.

I am not being sarcastic, if you had seen the things I have seen and the pain and suffering caused you wouldn't be either. But as usually the internet warrior knows best in all issues even one as specialized as advanced dental work....

TipTopTeeth

True there are plenty of bad dentists out there, but that can be said of any country. I think if someone is willing to do their research on the internet and actually read some customers' opinions, they can find a quality dentist in Hungary, Mexico, Costa Rica, etc.

Purrfection

Manuel Disgusting Self-starter wrote: »

Agreed a no brainer if you have no interest in quality, aesthetics and dont mind paying to have it done again in a few years.:(

I am new to Boards and have spent some time reviewing the messages on dental prices, treatment abroads and the quality of treatment.
There appears to be a dearth of fact despite a lot of anecdote and opinion.

It seems 4 or 5 professional dentists regularly enter comment, but the quality of this is varied and largely anecdotal.

There is significant concern from the latter about foreign treatment, but regrettably the data posted appear to lack balance. In particular no evidence is presented of the comparative efficacy of treatment between countries or between clinics; or of the comparative efficacy of large scale work versus more conservative protocols. As a consequence the material presented in evidence is not much use: even if alarming in some cases.

I would have thought if professional Irish dentists were concerned about my chances of being wrongly treated abroad there would be a forum to distinguish where/who provides good treatment; what key questions to ask; what to say 'no' to etc.

The quote above is an example of a misleading and unscientific statement. It may be true that the majority of people treated abroad have to have work done again, or it may not be, but no evidence has been presented here or any any other forum/thread that I have visited which substantiates this claim. (Survey from IDA mentioned elsewhere doesn't do this btw)

On balance it seems to me that the lack of rigorous evidence on comparative efficacy from Irish dentists on Boards may indicate that such evidence is not available, and the data posted amount in the end to anecdotes (sometimes with pictures). There seems to be support for the view that it is unwise to have a lot of work done in a short space of time and that some reassurance should be sought about the post treatment care in the case of complications.

I would still welcome a forum that named names on who are the good the bad and the ugly in the world of dental surgery here or abroad. But by the look of it that is not within the self imposed rules of Boars?

Nanazolie

I have quite a lot of work to be done in the near future on my mouth. Crowns mostly. I have been seeing the same dentist for the last 8 years, I trust her, and while she lowered her fees she is still rather expensive (although in line with most dentists in Dublin). I was tempted by the Budapest option, knowing that they have a clinic in Dublin for any follow up appointments. And I trust that they use state of the art technics and equipment.
However, I'll have the work done in Dublin by my dentist. She has all the records of what happened to me in the last few years. And I know by experience that you need time between procedures so only local treatment will offer this. You can't have 3 or 4 crowns + root canals + gum treatment done together over such a short period, it would traumatise the jaws and the gums and eventually lead to more issues. You need time to allow the tissues to scare, inflamation to heal, etc...

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Nanazolie wrote: »

I have quite a lot of work to be done in the near future on my mouth. Crowns mostly. I have been seeing the same dentist for the last 8 years, I trust her, and while she lowered her fees she is still rather expensive (although in line with most dentists in Dublin). I was tempted by the Budapest option, knowing that they have a clinic in Dublin for any follow up appointments. And I trust that they use state of the art techniques and equipment.
However, I'll have the work done in Dublin by my dentist. She has all the records of what happened to me in the last few years. And I know by experience that you need time between procedures so only local treatment will offer this. You can't have 3 or 4 crowns + root canals + gum treatment done together over such a short period, it would traumatise the jaws and the gums and eventually lead to more issues. You need time to allow the tissues to scare, inflammation to heal, etc...

Wise decision, quality dentistry cannot be done in short time periods, those that do complex treatment in short time without respecting healing are not providing good treatment. If it could be done fast we would all do it fast.

Purrfection wrote: »

I am new to Boards and have spent some time reviewing the messages on dental prices, treatment abroad and the quality of treatment.
There appears to be a dearth of fact despite a lot of anecdote and opinion.

It seems 4 or 5 professional dentists regularly enter comment, but the quality of this is varied and largely anecdotal.

There is significant concern from the latter about foreign treatment, but regrettably the data posted appear to lack balance. In particular no evidence is presented of the comparative efficacy of treatment between countries or between clinics; or of the comparative efficacy of large scale work versus more conservative protocols. As a consequence the material presented in evidence is not much use: even if alarming in some cases.

I would have thought if professional Irish dentists were concerned about my chances of being wrongly treated abroad there would be a forum to distinguish where/who provides good treatment; what key questions to ask; what to say 'no' to etc.

The quote above is an example of a misleading and unscientific statement. It may be true that the majority of people treated abroad have to have work done again, or it may not be, but no evidence has been presented here or any any other forum/thread that I have visited which substantiates this claim. (Survey from IDA mentioned elsewhere doesn't do this btw)

On balance it seems to me that the lack of rigorous evidence on comparative efficacy from Irish dentists on Boards may indicate that such evidence is not available, and the data posted amount in the end to anecdotes (sometimes with pictures). There seems to be support for the view that it is unwise to have a lot of work done in a short space of time and that some reassurance should be sought about the post treatment care in the case of complications.

I would still welcome a forum that named names on who are the good the bad and the ugly in the world of dental surgery here or abroad. But by the look of it that is not within the self imposed rules of Boars?

Unfortunately with a topic as complex and individual as dental work there is a asymmetry of knowledge between patients and the dentists. You cannot research your way out of this on the internet. Those that promote high speed bargain dental work will provide all the reassurance and good reviews that you require none of which are verifiable or impartial. Those that warn against it are seem as protectionist and scare mongering. Research done by Irish dentists is called biased and poor quality however this rigour is not required on the other side.

If you had seen the things I have seen (see my posts above) It would be so obvious to you but you cannot know. My advise is to use your common sense. High quality dental work is complex, time consuming, and necessarily expensive everywhere in the world. It is off putting to think that there are differing standards out there but there are. This is not unique to Ireland there is this discussion in every country.

Unfortunately on the dental forum we cannot allow names as again opinions are not verifiable. When we used to allow names a lot of clinics posted as happy customers, and clinics bad mouthing other clinics posing as patients.