Blogging on new UK cosmetic dentistry cost and clinic comparison site Teethwise, founder Eoin Holohan claims that the number of people travelling for dental treatment from the UK has dropped significantly over the past decade. According to Eoin, cheaper dental implants and other cosmetic treatments are now available in the UK, so fewer patients need to travel.
Eoin Holohan explains, “The market has matured and many dentists are now travelling to see patients. The only foreign dentists who still have patients travelling for treatment are those who can offer consultations and other parts of the treatment in the UK.”
Holohan explains the reasons for falling numbers; “The two factors causing a drop in the number of people travelling for restorative and cosmetic dentistry are the economic climate and price pressures on restorative dentistry in the UK. Restorative dentistry or dental implants can be an expensive procedure for people and quite often it is not an expense they have planned for. Patients can expect to pay in the thousands whether at home or in cheaper locations. A full jaw replacement with 6 implants will cost from £9,900 in the UK and £6,000 in Hungary. Implants are rarely available on the NHS.”
He explains why competition has led to falling prices in the UK; “Increased competition in the UK has driven down the price of dental implants, which are now available from as little as £995. Agnes Tuba of London Dental Implants, who place implants in London and Hungary, has confirmed that it only makes sense for patients to travel if they require 4 or more implants. LDI can carry out parts of the procedure and any aftercare in London, which makes travelling for the main part of the procedure a more attractive option for patients.”
Holohan adds another reason for lower prices; “The cost price of dental implants has fallen. Low cost manufacturers have driven down the prices of implants as more and more dentists are offering a low cost alternative along with a premium implant brand. This has forced the established manufacturers to cut prices.”
He adds, “Some dentists have spotted the opportunity to establish specialised dental implant clinics. These clinics operate on a high volume basis. They attract patients by offering cheap implants and balance the books by fitting lots of them. This allows them to spread their investment in training and equipment over significantly more treatments thus increasing their margins.”
Holohan goes on, “Some Hungarian dentists and businessmen realised that patients are reluctant to travel for medical treatment, especially if they had not yet met their dentist. Rather than waiting for patients to come to them they decided to go to the patients and set up clinics in the UK. Vital Europe were one of the first clinics to offer treatment in the UK and Hungary and have told us that people are a lot more likely to travel if they can have a consultation carried out at home. These clinics that give patients the option to have treatment in the UK, in Hungary or a combination of both are the only type of Hungarian clinics attracting UK patients today.”
Hungarian dentists are still very busy, “Although the number of patients travelling from the UK has fallen, Hungarian clinics still get patients from countries with easier access or where dental implants are still expensive. London Dental Implants see many patients from Germany and Scandinavia at their Budapest based clinic and have recently opened a second clinic due to increased demand.”
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