Ha, I spent $220 in Manila on 7 white fillings. My partner was quoted 50,000 to 60,000 pesos for a brace $1,181 to $1,418.
you pays the money-you takes the choice.
Just send me your card and pin number,seems the easiest way the scammers do it these days!

You can choose from many private health insurance providers. For eg, BUPA, We pay around $250 a month. A check up costs us $180, its free for the kids, but we pay about 30% of it.

However with braces you would be lucky to get $2000 maximum back, most policies no matter what level of cover pick up the whole tab.

Braces cant really be done overseas, you need constant check ups and adjustments.

Was really impressed with the USA dentists we looked at. Came across as very clean and professional, they couldnt believe what we were telling them we would be charged here.

There was another poster on here who highly recommended a Singapore Dentist for crowns and stuff, that may be worth searching on too.

My GF's cousin is a UK dentist that has just started locum work on the NSW Central Coast. At Christmas, he told us that the level of unnecessary dental work he was seeing billed out at massive expense to the patient actually disgusted him and made him wonder whether he could work here long term...


S

Unfortunatley braces need adjusting on a regular basis so the dentists in Oz can bascially get away with their high high prices, my neice who has just finished with her braces always seemed to be going up to the dentist to have something adjusted or done....

Hi,

In Brisbane, and my child recently had braces fitted.

They have a 'payment' plan that's 'interest free'.

We paid upfront, $5,800 to get a 5% discount for :

18-24 months for braces and all related 'treatment' whether it be re-adjustment,

wax to put over 'plug on tooth' to stop it tearing inside of mouth,

toothbrushes, little brushes to clean between teeth and wire, and dental floss.

Also, what now replaces the 'retainer' at night, namely a 'wire' that's glued to the back of the top and bottom, front teeth when the braces are removed.

Unlimited appointments for any concerns, and 5 years of 'aftercare' once the braces have been removed.

It sounds so much when I say $5800, but when I think of what we can get for that over the next five and a half to seven years it appears to be an okay price for what we'll get.

If I needed extensive dental treatment I'd consider going abroad for it, but I don't think it would work out as a cheaper alternative for a child with braces.

Once you add in flights and accommodation every 6-7 weeks when they have to have adjustments made to braces over 18-24 months treatment overseas, even the cheapest, would still be far more expensive in my opinion.

MG

Agree, and I think the same applies to implants as they're usually done in 2 or 3 stages. Also, depending on the quality of your bone you may have to have surgery first so the skills of the dental surgeon and the hygiene standards of the practice would have to be spot on.

For anyone considering dental work overseas, I'd encourage you to do a search on TripAdvisor. Some really good info there, recommendations, 'stay aways' etc.

Unfortunately that's true. I've left 2 dental practices in the past due to their "hard sell' tactics. After spending over a grand on a root canal, one practice bombarded me with letters, emails AND text messages on my work mobile, warning me that I needed a follow up and virtually calling me irresponsible if I didn't make an appointment IMMEDIATELY. Told them to get stuffed, in a semi-polite fashion.

Thanks for all your replies.

I'm going to get a second opinion re: my daughter having braces. Just something about the first orthodontist made me think that he had just plucked the figure out of thin air.

I've been looking at BUPA as well as Medibank and I am going to join one of those - that's another decision to make - which one is best??????

The figure sounds about right.However if you aren't comfortable with the orthodontist you would be better looking elsewhere.Your daughter will probably spend around two years of her life going backwards and forwards to him.