Treatment Plan - A Must!

Are you trying to determine the best approach to your dental care? Has your dentist made recommendations that you are uncertain how to interpret? Did your dentist tell you what your expenses will be without written specifics? Do you know if it includes other dentists or lab fees? I get asked daily to create an estimate for patients often based on minimal patient information. Generally, patients are responding to an extensive medical treatment recommendation and/or an associated exorbitant expense that is difficult to absorb. Often patients are overwhelmed with trying to interpret the recommendations and initiate the treatment process, sometimes jeopardizing their dental health by delaying treatment. I’ve developed a comprehensive list of questions to ask your dentist about. Don’t be shy. Determine if there is an associated cost with a written treatment plan. If you are asking for an alternative consult, for example considering dental tourism, request you’re x-rays: if you have paid for them, they are yours but you may need to sign a medical release. Orthopantographic (OPG) x-rays are the best suitable for external review; they can be EM’d digitally. Regardless of age, if a thorough dental restoration is diagnosed, identify the following to thoroughly understand the proposed treatment. :Existing bone and gum status. If you require implants, your bone must be stable to secure the implants. If you require bone grafting, it is very expensive regardless of where it is done and this is important to know in the planning process. :Any required extractions, e.g. the remaining teeth - do they require extraction? :Recommended number of implants and location. Be certain the implant cost includes the a) abutment b) placement, and the type. :Any and all prosthetics which could include: a. permanent long term denture b. bridges: permanent or removable :Are there associated lab fees with the prosthetics? :If you require additional consults (with another specialist), is there a consultation fee and required repeat x-ray? For example, at Kreativ, all our dentists are onsite and you wouldn't pay for a consult if you required an examination by one of the other dentists. This is commonly referred to as a ‘curbside consult’ :Who will place the implant, and if your general dentist will place the implant, how many does he/she place a year? :If you see a specialist for the implants will they place the crown? The treatment plan should include the numbering of all teeth, the number of phases required and the healing times between treatments.

The Role of the Dental Agent in Dental Tourism

Why Travel for Dental Care?

Dental tourism means traveling out of your region or country for dental care. Why do people choose dental care outside of their healthcare community? The reasons range from dental estimates exceeding their budget to the opportunity dental tourism may provide to receive high quality and reasonably priced dental care while traveling. A Danube cruise departing from Budapest or the opportunity to experience the European Christmas Fairs are good examples of vacation destinations that offer the opportunity to receive dental care. Others may travel because the quality and price are right and the area or country is very convenient for travel. Some travel for the opportunity to visit family if they are an ex-pat. Whatever your reasons, dental travel is a very safe and viable option for higher priced dental procedures such as implants, bridges, dentures or crowns. If this is an option you are considering, the process can be challenging to locate the right dentist, country, technology and quality care - regardless of your travel experience.

You have made the decision to travel for your dental care - so what's next?

Once you have determined that dental travel is a great alternative to receive dental care, you must start the process of identifying a dental clinic that will meet your needs. I have reviewed these options in prior blog posts. Review those issues you should consider before making your decision and conduct your research carefully!

How should I proceed?

Whether your dental needs are major, such as roots canals, sinus lifts, bone grafting, bridges or implants, or minor – such as a simple crown or veneer, knowing specifically what your needs or desires are is important. A current treatment plan and estimate along with radiology films or CT scans from your dentist allows a comparable estimate to be transparent. You should expect high quality customer service from the clinic or agent, which includes direct communication or a call back/EM within twenty four hours. Outline your questions answered and keep detailed notes.

Why choose a dental agent?

Is the clinic or the dentist available to advocate for you if there is a problem? Or, does the clinic use the services of a dental agent who may be more accessible for your questions. Are there time zone issues that make communication difficult? Do they speak English? Communication is vital to maintain the confidence necessary to know you are making the right decision. Is the pricing transparent, meaning, are all procedures and costs outlined and organized in an understandable format? Are the procedures bundled? Could there be any hidden fees? Who can you ask all these myriad of questions to?

Dental agents represent the clinic or a medical/dental tourism business and coordinate dental appointments for you. The dental agent is often much more accessible than a clinic directly and can spend the time with you answering the many questions you may have, or explain the indications and timeframes recommended for certain procedures. The dental agent should be available throughout this process to aid you in making your decision, understanding the treatments you anticipate you may need and helping you with your budget. The agent will be your consumer advocate, problem solve along the way, assist with travel recommendations and be there to help you out regardless of whatever your needs or questions are. A clinic or medical tourism business or internet site that utilizes dental agents has increased credibility. Quality of care and your health maintenance are the most important decisions you can make for yourself. Remember, price is important but your health and clinical outcome are paramount. Choose wisely and make sure you have the best dental treatment possible.

My Dental Story - A Patient Testimony

If you are considering dental tourism as an option, here is my story on choosing a dental provider. This chronicle is in hopes that you develop a system for finding a dentist. Seeking international dental care is a daunting process and one that takes work to ensure you feel comfortable making this decision. Your teeth and dental health are crucial for your appearance and long term health.

Here is my tale in hopes it will give you some guidance. I fell and chipped my front teeth when I was 10 years old. My family was unable to afford dental care so the dentist filed the bottom of my front teeth to make them even. This began a lifetime of a stifled smile and self consciousness about my appearance. I finally decided to take action in my 60’s and began searching for a dentist to fix this lifelong embarrassment. 3 dental estimates for a full upper and lower cosmetic restoration ranged from $28,000 to $48,000. One arrogant dentist in a very expensive office didn’t even provide a treatment plan. She simply told me the process would take place over 18 months and cost $42,000. The final dentist charged me $800 for the consultation, x-rays, treatment plan and post assessment review, and that wasn’t even credited to the 48K tab. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor after that one! I now decided international options were necessary. I started with an online search and was overwhelmed with websites, questions, and determination of which country should I choose. After considerable research over several months I discovered Budapest was the epicenter of EU dental education at Semmelweiss University. Hungary had also established a Code of Practice in 1998 as medical and dental tourism grew. Membership was optional however it assured a certain standard for patients evaluating a quality experience. I knew they were organized. So we planned a trip to this beautiful city only to ‘check out’ the clinic. My wife is a nurse and former medical group administrator and was wary of this path until she had a chance to evaluate the clinical practice, see the offices, take a look at the equipment – and overall, get a general feeling for the way the office functioned. Off we went to Budapest in anticipation of what I hoped was a solution to my smile. While there we also visited several offices scattered throughout the city, most of which were quite small. Reception was often friendly, the level of English varied, and it was impossible to get a feel for the offices. Most offices were very small, the equipment appeared dated, and the staff were not available so we couldn’t see behind the curtain, so to speak. I realized their websites were much more elaborate than the clinics and thorough questioning was challenging because of language differences. Then we visited Kreativ Dental. Surprised, and almost overwhelmed, we were amazed at the beautiful building that was easily accessible in the 9th district by public transportation. Entering the modern building it was clear we were in a rockin’ facility. The first floor had a beautiful aquarium that is a calming theme throughout. There is an English speaking concierge at the front door to greet you and answer any questions. Heading up to reception we walked along the ‘publicity wall’ where we saw newspapers, magazine and written testimonials (even from NASA) that spoke of the great clinic, satisfied customers, and advanced care. There was a computer to access patient satisfaction surveys. My wife saw they had a quality certification similar to those in US hospitals. This was clearly a facility of very high caliber. That was it. We’d return, and we did one year later for a consultation. Reception had staff who spoke several languages and everyone spoke English. We had a panoramic x-rays and a treatment plan at no cost and were able to consult with the dentist on any questions we had. Everyone spoke flawless English, including the dental assistant who also performed a thorough teeth cleaning at half the cost in the US. Mary Ann noted they actually gave a recommendation on hygiene she was never told, after years of twice annual teeth cleaning and meticulous dental care. Until we retired, we always had great insurance. We still had to think about it and decided to wait another year so she could have her teeth done as well. The money we saved still paid for these trips to this marvelous city, where the cost of living is drastically lower than Western Europe. Hungary’s currency is the forint and their economy has not allowed transition to the euro. It is hard to believe, but communism was only overthrown in 1989.

Finally, in 2010 we were able to have our dental work completed. The scheduling of procedures was efficient, the clinic ran on time, and a complete dental restoration (all new crowns) was completed in 10 days. Remember the expensive dentist? She said it would take 18 months! What is that about? The treatment plan pricing was completely transparent and there were no hidden charges with my final bill. The cost remained 60% less than we would have paid in the United States. While there, we were also able to tour the modern dental lab where 5 master ceramists are on staff. I realized how important it is for the lab to be within immediate proximity of the professional staff. They were able to make modifications in real time, which improved the look and fit of the crowns. My wife was overwhelmed with the quality of the practice. She has worked with Harvard University on quality medical standards, retired from the University of California and also spent a fair portion of her career in one of the finest Center’s of Excellence in the US – and found the skills, specialists on staff, equipment and education unparalleled. I was almost tired of her exclaiming ‘Wow’.

I love my new teeth and can’t believe I waited all these years. I needed a minor adjustment after I returned home and my own dentist had no qualms about doing. He was very impressed with the work done. So, if I have one recommendation, it is take the time to do your homework. Don’t just ask for referrals on blogs, schedule with the first clinic you contact, or go with the lowest price. Price is important but beware of hidden fees. Get the treatment plan upfront; make sure there is a quality certificate and go where there are many dentists on staff so you don’t have to be referred across town where you don’t know the dentist. Customer testimonials are important but you have to go beyond that. People can certainly tell you all the positive components of customer service but pay attention to their outcomes. I know how important that is – I was Director of Customer Service for Blue Cross in the US for ten years. It takes some time, but look beyond the office and evaluate the criteria and questions you should ask while making this decision. Take your time. Look beyond a fancy website. Ask the same questions of everyone. Cost is very important – that is the reason that often motivates us to take this path, it sure was mine. But remember how important your health is, and your teeth and bite.

Disclaimer: I am now proudly affiliated with Kreativ Dental. I hope my story tells you why. Craig Robinson