You can't just turn up anywhere to get your dental treatment done abroad.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has a few points of advice:
1. Make sure your dentist is fully qualified. Before you get anything done, make sure you get their PWZ number, which is basically their right to practice number and check it on the internet, or send an email to the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists.
2. Have a check-up. Make sure that you have a full check-up before you undertake any treatment. Your dentist should suggest you go back for check-ups after the work, so factor this into your budget. And also check that there aren't any potential knock-on costs from your treatment.
After a number of surveys and researches among our existing patients it appears that most of respondents have following anxiety (fears): a cowboy job, an unfamiliar country and hidden costs.
To avoid the fear of a cowboy job, please check all aspects below:
1. Work experience – each dentist has in his specialization number of years.
2. PWZ (Dentist ID No in Polish Dental Chamber) – check it on the internet or send an email to the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists.
3. Testimonials and references – read whole testimonials through to check all opinions.
4. Guarantees and aftercare – look for long period of guarantee and aftercare when you are back in the UK.
To avoid the fear of unfamiliar country, please check all aspects below:
1. 24/7 Assistance – search for special care during your stay in the clinic, just in case something goes wrong (lost your wallet), you should have someone to look after you all the time.
2. Language – all team members have to speak English.
To avoid the fear of hidden costs, please check all aspects below:
1. Consultation point – find the clinic with consultations prior to your treatment to get 100% treatment plan accuracy and avoid paying extras when you get there.
2. Free items – make sure that FREE is for FREE and you don’t have to pay anything extra.
3. Small print – read all terms and conditions carefully.
4. Treatment plan options – look for few options to suit your budget and time schedule.
Things you should bring with you when travelling to Poland:
1. Valid passport.
2. Plane tickets.
3. Travel Insurance (if you have one).
4. Any relevant documents about your health (hospital treatment etc.).
5. Name, address, phone number of a friend/contact person in the UK.
6. Mobile phone and charger.
7. 3-pin to 2-pin adapter (important - the electricity system in Poland is of continental type!).
8. Any medicines which you take on a regular basis e.g. inhalers, insulin, allergy or blood pressure pills, etc. Cash and credit/debit card (with sufficient credit limit for your treatment).
Read an official GDC Guidance (UK regulatory body) on Dentistyr Abroad here: