Orthodontic Tourism

You've probably heard of dental tourism, going overseas to have complex dental treatment done because it's cheaper and it can be combined with a holiday. Whilst it seems like a good idea you have to consider who will maintain your dental treatment and what would happen if you had any problems. It is difficult enough to assess the competence of a dentist but even more so if you are unable to visit the clinic in advance or talk to other clients.

Today I had a call from a patient with a request I am hearing more and more frequently, and I know my colleagues are too; "If I have my braces fitted abroad will you monitor and adjust them for me?" In this case the patient wanted to go to Poland to have the braces fitted then have me adjust them.

Orthodontics is a complex treatment and ideally should be carried out by a specialist or someone who has had additional training and experience. Each orthodontist may approach the same case in very different ways, for example some may extract teeth and some may not. There are many different treatment systems out there (brackets, wires, ways of moving teeth) which may require a different skill-set. The most important part of the treatment is the planning stage, so wherever possible treatment should be planned and carried out by the same person (or at least supervised by the same person or in the same clinic).  Therefore, if someone is hoping to save money by having braces fitted elsewhere then I am not willing to treat them, the treatment should be carried through from start to finish at the same place.

Of course, occasionally people do move or emigrate part-way through their treatment, I've had patients who have moved to Australia and Northern Ireland. In these cases the treatment should be formally transferred to a new orthodontist. I always send a letter detailing the treatment plan and the progress in treatment so far together with copies of x-rays, study models and photographs. I'd expect the same if patients transfer to me, in fact I have taken on patients from Brazil and London and successfully completed treatment. I'd also see someone who might be temporarily in the area if they have a problem during treatment, but usually only to make the brace safe so as not to interfere with a colleague's treatment.

So please don't consider "orthodontic tourism". By all means get more than one opinion if you have several orthodontists in your area, realising you may well get different treatment plans and different costs, and be prepared to consider ALL the factors, not just the financial cost of treatment. Remember your treatment will take many months and require regular visits and you will need to have a good rapport with your orthodontist and their team.