# 26

Posted: 08/11/2009 09:53

I went outside of Ireland for dental treatment and to this day I regret it.  My teeth were butchered and then crowned with bridges that are impossible to clean. My bite is wrong, teeth do not look natural. I have met many people who have been to the same clinic as myself and all our teeth look the same. I can tell a mile off that they had treatment in the same cinic as myself. To have my teeth fixed here will cost over 20,000

# 25

Posted: 28/09/2009 10:43

Whatever about sub-standard care (which of course is something of a great concern) people will not be made feel bad for "economy leakage" should they opt for cheaper treatment abroad. Why should they? I am sorry but after the way the banks and developers have behaved, it is NOT up to the cavity stricken among us to prop up the economy by opting for rip off Ireland.

# 24

Posted: 25/09/2009 20:07

HOS, I wonder, would you prefer I lied about the standard of treatment I see? I am very passionate about dentistry, and believe that it must be done to the highest standards. I am only relating, to those who are interested, what my experience has been-oh, and a recent survey of Irish dentists would appear to back this up. Need I also mention that people travelling abroad for treatment is also a huge leakage from the economy, and given our current economic crisis, really shouldn't be encouraged in any case.  I simply asked for an unbiased government body to assess the standards, and issue advice based on their, (and not just on my "anecdotal"), evidence. I am sorry as I have obviously offended you, but I can assure you that I can back up my claims with radiographic and clinical evidence, and if you were left with the task, both of breaking the devastating news to the patient, and subsequently having to treat it, you too would be out there doing your up most to prevent it happening to anyone else.Ps, I'm sure many use adequate materials, unfortunately this really doesn't ensure any kind of satisfactory outcome unless they are used effectively.

# 23

Posted: 11/09/2009 21:53

I work for Ultimate Dental Travel, an Irish dental agency, and find the comments of dentist "Cosmo" above typical for the scaremongering that Irish dentists and the IDA have resorted to in an effort to keep patients in this overpriced country.

Having spent the first 25 years of my life in Germany and having lived in Ireland for the past 14 years, I have first-hand knowledge of the standards of dental care in Ireland and abroad. Suffice it to say that I very quickly resorted to having my dental work carried out abroad rather than in Ireland due to the comparatively low standard of work, often badly equipped surgeries and enormous prices charged in this country. I started working for UDT after having had treatment at their German clinic in Budapest where I received excellent treatment in a spotlessly clean, pleasant and most modern environment at a fraction of what I would have paid in Ireland. Every single patient I have referred to that clinic has come back full of praise. I refer family and friends to the same clinic without the slightest hesitation.

I am referring a great number of Irish patients who have received abysmally bad dental care in Ireland: Gaps not being filled with an implant after tooth extraction, resulting in bone loss even at a relatively young age; root canals being done without the essential "before" and "after" x-rays due to a lack of x-ray facilities in smaller surgeries, resulting in incomplete treatment and eventual extraction of a tooth that could have been saved if the job would have been done right; patients not being aware of their oral situation due to the peculiar aversion of many Irish medical practitioners to give explanations and answer questions.

Many Hungarian clinics work to very high standards, using most modern and safe materials, in our case from Scandinavia and the USA. Low prices are possible due to the comparatively low cost of living and running a business in Eastern Europe. It is ludicrous for Cosmo to state that "people have no comeback on this work". Manufacturers' guarantees are in place, no matter whether treatment is carried out in Ireland or elsewhere. Dentists registered with the Dental Association of their respective countries are obliged to have professional indemnity insurance in place and respectable practitioners will not only fix any problem that may occur, but they will pay for flights and accommodation, too.

I'm tired of Irish dentists whingeing about Irish patients travelling abroad when it is they who are driving people away in the first place. 

# 22

Posted: 25/08/2009 19:04

marmack thanks for post - read article about this boy-shocking reading, could have been so preventable due to lack of money. Also read on irish independent there are over 47 million people in America without health insurance. Would you believe a friend of mine lost her husband 5.5 years ago from the exact same, only he went early for treatment it was not picked up. She tried to write to revelent medical persons told was human error. He died age 42 leaving behind 5 children and his wife.

Money does matter here, many posters have written on irish.health.com that they are trying to turn us to be like american health system. There's a 2 tier system here to stay whether we like it or not. No-one seems to be doing anything about it, and it's not down to our now world wide recession. My blood boils how they treat patients here.

We have medical facilities for years now, but no access to it in a lot of cases. I would liken it to dangling sweets in front of a little toddler-and they don't give sweets and he cries. I don't say this lightly shame on them

Chrissie

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 21

Posted: 24/08/2009 09:02

Third world conditions in the health system once again! Several friends and colleagues have had treatment abroad with no adverse occurrences. What's it going to take to gain a reasonable health service?

# 20

Posted: 23/08/2009 17:43

I was amazed to read in the Saturday, Irish Independent that a journalist who was writing on American Health care that a young boy died from complications of not getting a tooth extracted. I would have to seek on health insurance from E11 or E12 supplied from Health Boards first and to find out situation in case of complications.

# 19

Posted: 21/08/2009 23:06

I went to the North for a dental implant - I was given the choice of Dublin or the North by my local dentist - he felt it was important that I saw a specalist, someone who was very experienced in dental implants to ensure that I had a good job done - it was a front tooth. Well it was a lovely dental surgery, nice dentist, good job but it was far more expensive than the cost of having it done in Dublin.

I had to pay for each visit in advance. When the cost of travel is added in and I did the calculations it actually cost me a lot more than any of the dentists in the south had quoted. The total cost was 3800 (excluding travel) for the implant - over 1000 euro more than the highest quote I got in the south - but didnt take as I was advised to see a specalist in the area given it was a front tooth rather than a dentist who does the procedure but not as a specality! I did get a great quote from a dental practice but then found out the dentist flew in fron London to do the surgery once a month, flew back that evening and someone else took out the sutures and I would see the dentist when he flew back into the country the following month.... not very reassuring if something were to go wrong - If going abroad be very careful - find out and validate the dentists qualifcations, get a written quote, find out about the after care and be prepared that things dont' always go smoothly - even mine didn't there was problems with matching the colour of my teeth and I ended up with 3 extra visits as result!!!

# 18

Posted: 21/08/2009 18:41

Could the state please do some kind of unbiased evaluation of dental tourism. I'm a dentist and I have yet to see ANYTHING of worth coming from Eastern Europe, the quality of materials used- crowns which rust in the mouth, Root canal treatments which aren't half done, implants which are going through the roots of the teeth next to them, (and are falling out after 2 years), crowns which are completely unnecessary, (crowing a tooth which doesn't need it is one of the most harmful things which you can do to it). If the state won't take this growing problem seriously then we are building up a huge bank of problems for the future.

Irish people spend thousands getting this sub-standard treatment and it may well end up costing many thousands more to get it done properly-with the danger being that it can't ever be rectified after it has been botched by some mercenary just out for a quick buck. Sure, this stuff will last a few years if you're lucky, but if you need to get lots of work done then it just can't possibly be done properly in a week-it requires months of planning-and you may well be surprised by the total price you are quoted by you Irish dentist. People really have no comeback on this work either.I would urge you, don't go solely on price, as you are not comparing Like for Like. I realise that it will seem that I am bitter about people going abroad and have a vested interest in keeping people in Ireland for treatment-but I can assure you that I'm only telling you this so that I don't have to be the one to break it to chair side you about how one of my foreign colleagues has let you down.I certainly don't want to be the one to have to pick up the pieces as it's heart breaking.At the very least you should get a full consultation with a GOOD dentist in Ireland 1st and their honest opinion of what THEY would want done if your mouth was theirs. Just remember, if you don't need it, It's not cheap.

# 17

Posted: 21/08/2009 18:09

Had a lot of work carried out in Newry for less than a third of what I was quoted in Dublin. The new road means I'm there in just over an hour. When I told my dentist here that I was considering going to Newry he told me the dentists in NI are not well trained and they use sub standard materials !!!!!!!

Go North

# 16

Posted: 21/08/2009 18:08

i was recently in Spain on the costa del sol.I saw an advertisement for a new clinic ,i wanted to have my teeth cleaned ,the dentist was 1st class. It cost me all of 19 euros,this i found to be very reasonable ,i went back to the same dentist for to get my teeth whitened,excellent job,

# 15

Posted: 20/08/2009 22:14

Why would the HSE care, they are enjoying large salaries paid for by taxpayers or former taxpayers. They never get it right so why would anyone suppose that they would start to do so now!! That Department needs management, it is very badly managed, but they don't have any problems spending money on paying for "papers to be written" by others who are bleeding the system.

BJ

# 14

Posted: 20/08/2009 19:27

I am not on the poverty line. I just hate being ripped off, by dentists here in the republic. My sisters two lads had orthodontic work done, as they live in England it didn't cost her a cent. That is the way it should be here, all children should have the work done free until they are 18.

# 13

Posted: 20/08/2009 17:18

Anonymous thanks for your post - you've made excellent comments re: ortho treatment at end of your 1st paragraph. It be my opinion that if Bord Snip's proposals go ahead withdrawing all those with fully paid PRSI contributions and they cannot avail of dental care in our dental practices across the Country where will it leave people needing dental care? There's lots of persons depending on the grants the social welfare pay out to dentists for the cost of their treatment under PRSI.

For those on medical cards due to sickness, unemployment (we have medical card due to my husband being out sick) then they'll most likely be put on an even longer waiting list to be dealt with by our Dentists here if they take proposals. If dentists don't take proposals and strike just like the recent drugs payment scheme, well I believe it to be mind boggling in the way our politicians think. They look at matters short term, and not long term when persons though they look after their teeth, still need dental check-ups and even dental intervention.

Anonymous your post is Fact here - what you wrote thanks.

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 12

Posted: 19/08/2009 14:33

Chrissie, that is just a shame about your daughter and there are so many parents in your situation.  As for the HSE saying she was not bad enough - what the hell do they want, for young peoples teeth to be in a horrific state before theyt are treated orthodontically? Needing more treatment which costs the state more money and needs more time and leads to more discomfort for the young person. Isn't it only common sense ot treat the proble m before it becomes too bad wen it wouod cost the state less in money and time and the treamtment needed would be less extensive. It sound to me liek they are saving a penny to spend a pound.

As for the highly unprofessional comment that young people just want to look like the americans with straight white teeth. Wwhat the hell is so wrong with that?? Of course they do and aren't they entitled to it. That is exactly what the orthodontists should be aiming ofr if they had the best standards, The U.S. is well recognised as havingthe best dental standard in the world

# 11

Posted: 18/08/2009 22:36

aine sallyanne yous make excellent points here. My daughter needs orthodontic treatment. She was down to see orthodontist by transferral from our local dental clinic for schools in one of our HSE hospitals. Turned down, we were told not bad enough, told they just want to look like the americans with straight white teeth. We appealed same, got different ortho next time, and we got more or less same words said again. Our daughter is very conscious of her crooked teeth, and tries not to smile. We are now trying to get credit union loan of €6,000 to €7,000 to have her done here. She also needs 6 overcrowded teeth removed before braces done. It turns out we cannot send her abroad, as she would have to have braces tightened on regular basis. She went to a dentist here representing another Country for consult had to bring an xRay from her private dentist costing €65 for them to look at same. she has no choice to go abroad. We paid her fees for dentist here from age 16 whenever she would go because she's still attending college. From age 12 she was down to be looked after by othro ordered by our Dentist in Local Dental Clinic, she's now age 19 still in college. My husband is out sick, I'm on invalidiaty pension.

 I believe the Dentists here and the HSE don't give a damn about "poverty"

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 10

Posted: 18/08/2009 12:19

I have to say I wouldn't. It not that dentistry here is not expensive but I am a very nervous patient when it comes to dental work and I have found a dentist I trust so for me the extra I pay is worth it. I would be very worried abo9ut something goign wrong if I went abroad for treatment.

Bj, even for a fillign on a front tooth, 250 euro is exhorbitant. This shouldn't really cost more than 120 - 150

# 9

Posted: 17/08/2009 22:52

I think poverty could be described as not being able to afford dental care. This is my position

# 8

Posted: 17/08/2009 19:57

tHE HASSLE OF TRAVELLING WOULD PUT ME OFF....EVEN UP NORTH THE THOUGHT OF A FEW HOURS ON THE ROAD/TRAIN...YUK!

# 7

Posted: 17/08/2009 19:28

Last week I went to the dentist, after an XRay she told me I had to have my wisdom tooth extracted because there was an infection there.  The cost was €110 which I couldn't really afford, but I had no choice as I was in pain.

Dentists in the republic are ripping people off left right and centre.  At the same dental practice I paid €4000 five years ago to have my daughters teeth straightened by the Orthodontist while she was still at school.   The health board would only do it if her if teeth were really bad. I don't know what state they would have to be in for them to treat her.   

# 6

Posted: 15/08/2009 11:03

I voted "not sure"  but I didn't think of Northern Ireland.  Thanks for that!!!!!!!!!

# 5

Posted: 15/08/2009 09:32

Having been ripped off yet again with high dental charges I would go anywhere to get a fair service.

# 4

Posted: 14/08/2009 22:44

If I could afford to travel I would most definitely go abroad to have all of my families dental work done. We are being ripped off and even though I took dental cover some of the treatments that I needed were not going to be covered. I cannot afford the dentist, so my teeth are just getting worse and worse. My son did find one dental surgeon after a lot of searching who did his x ray and the dental treatment, one filling for €65.00. The dentist that we had been using wanted €250.00 for the same work.

# 3

Posted: 14/08/2009 20:37

I had 21 crowns done in March 2006 in Budapest, Hungary, the estimates I got here were prohibitive. Apart from the hassle of travelling to Hungary a number of times, I had no problems. The teeth look great and feel good too!

# 2

Posted: 10/08/2009 21:19

Just across the border you can get a better service at half the price. When you make appointments for two or three of the family for the same day it really works out a great saving.

# 1

Posted: 10/08/2009 17:45

As my only income is an Irish Invalidity Pension the cost of travelling abroad would be a prohibitive factor.

James J