Dental treatment abroad
Many Danes choose to go to a dentist abroad, with the expectation that the total cost of treatment will be less than if treatment was made in Denmark. If you go with thoughts about getting dental treatment done abroad, you should pay particular attention to a number of factors before you pack your suitcase.
We want this guide to try to elucidate some of these issues that you should pay particular attention to before you decide to find dentists abroad.
3 percent of Danes seek dental treatment abroad
According to a consumer report from 2005, conducted by the National Consumer Agency, travel approx. 3 percent of Danes abroad to get dental treatment. The reason why the Danes are looking dentist abroad is usually an expectation of saving money on dental treatment.
Reimbursement for treatment abroad
In Denmark, knows most of subsidies on the bill from the dentist. The National Health Service provides grants to a wide range of treatments by dentists in Denmark. The grant will be automatically deducted from your bill at the dentist before you pay.
This grant from the state you can in most cases take, for treatment at a publicly licensed dentist abroad. The method is however another, and the grant will not be deducted automatically. You must first pay the full cost of treatment abroad, then you must make sure you search your county to get grant amount for treatment abroad refunded.
See which treatments receive grants
After dental treatment abroad, be sure to get an itemized bill from the clinic so that you can accurately document what you have had treatment abroad. It can be a good idea to contact the municipality before you go to get more information on what documentation your municipality requires to pay grants after treatment abroad.
Risks of dental treatment abroad
It is impossible to generalize about the quality of dental treatments abroad compared to treatments in Denmark. However, it is also not imply that there are no risks associated with dental abroad.
The first thing you should be aware of before seeking dental treatment abroad is that you are not covered by the Danish system of redress , and you can not get compensation from the Danish Patient Insurance .
If you choose to undergo dental treatment abroad, you will hear instead under the rules applicable in that country. Here you must be especially aware that the rules on remedies and the possibility of damages can vary greatly from country to country. Some places you risk being without coverage if you are mistreated or assigned any damages in connection with a treatment abroad, or if you are simply dissatisfied with the quality of dental treatment in the country.
You should also be aware that something as basic as language difficulties may be a risk in itself. Possibilities for follow up treatments and control are also facts you should consider and investigate before you decide to get organized teeth abroad. In some cases there is a need for adjustments or additional treatments, thus requiring additional travel activities abroad.
Some Danish dentists offering to make up treatment and control of dental treatments performed overseas. But the Danish Dental Association recommends that you should always stick to the same dentist if you need more treatment or multiple treatments over a longer period.
As a general rule you will be well received by a Danish dentist, after completing treatment abroad. But you also need to be prepared for the Danish dentist refuses to repair the damage that may have come for treatment abroad.
If things go wrong with dental treatment abroad
Everybody can make mistakes. And it obviously applies to both Danish and foreign dentists. But you will be mistreated by a dentist in Denmark, you are covered by the Danish system of redress . And you can not get compensation from the Danish patient insurance for errors treatments abroad. You simply have no opportunity to appeal in Denmark over a foreign dentist or a dental treatment you have had abroad. Instead, you must appeal in the country where dental treatment is carried out if there is a complaints system in that country.
There can be large differences in appeal from country to country, if you must complain about a dentist. But if you want to complain about a dentist within the EU, Norway or Iceland, you can contact the European Consumer Centre , which is the Danish branch of a network of European Consumer Offices. Consumer Europe, among other things, help you to find out whether it will be possible to complain about the treatment in that country, and if so how to do it.
European Consumer Centre website is worth a visit before you decide to seek dentist abroad.
After the dentist visits abroad
In Denmark you can choose any dentist you want to treat your teeth ( Free Choice scheme ). And of course even after you've been to a dentist abroad.
Dental Association in Denmark recommend that if you need a larger dental treatment or multiple treatments over a longer period that you maintain the same dentist. Thus, one can best achieve optimal results, since the same dentist can constantly monitor and continuously make necessary adjustments if necessary. You can always plan your treatment with your dentist in order to ensure your dental health, while it also fits your finances.
As a general rule you will always be welcomed by a dentist in Denmark, whether you have had extensive dental treatment abroad. But in case of damage after treatment or poorly done dental work abroad, you must be prepared that you may be rejected by the Danish dentist, and be asked to go back to the dentist abroad to make good the damage or adjustments. The dentist in Denmark is within his rights - unless you have pain and urgent need for treatment - to refer you back to the dentist abroad.
You may also be prepared for the dentist in Denmark will make necessary steps to secure evidence that any defects or damage have occurred before beginning treatment with him or her. It may, for example. be a letter on your dental status, which you must sign or X-rays. The reason is that the dentist so ensure against being held accountable for the faulty work performed by the dentist abroad. You may also expect that the dentist in Denmark will charge for the collection of documentation, which the dentist is within its rights to.
Useful information before choosing dentist
The price is usually one of the main reasons why Danes seek a foreign dentist when it comes to major dental treatments. But before you choose a dentist, you should consider amongst other factors such as consistency of treatment, complaints and redress systems and communication with the dental staff at the clinic.
Do you want to use a dentist abroad, you should pre investigate complaint conditions carefully. It is recommended that you contact Consumer Europe, before you decide to travel abroad.
European Consumer
Tel. 32 66 90 00
www.forbrugereuropa.dk
You can search for dentists in several European dental associations' websites. However, please be aware that there can be no guarantee of the quality of the individual dentists. For more information about the various dental associations at the FDI World Dental Federation's website.
www.fdiworlddental.org
For more information on funding options for treatment abroad, contact your municipality or the Interior and Health.
www.sum.dk
You'll also find useful information about complaints and the possibility of replacing the Danish Forbrugerstyrelses website.
www.forbrug.dk
