Dental tourism packages: what's included, and what to expect

A dental tourism package, often sold as a dental holiday, bundles treatment with some of the travel. Clinics and agencies sell them to make a trip simpler to arrange. A good package saves you time. A vague one can hide what you're paying for.

What's usually included

Packages differ between clinics, but the common parts are:

• Consultation and X-rays or a 3D scan on your first visit
• The treatment itself, such as implants, crowns or veneers
• Airport pickup and drop-off
• Transport between your hotel and the clinic
• A number of hotel nights, sometimes at a hotel the clinic works with
• An interpreter or patient coordinator who helps with appointments

What's often left out

• International flights
• Visas and travel insurance
• Extra treatment the dentist finds once you arrive, such as a root canal or a bone graft
• Temporary teeth, medication and follow-up appointments
• Extra hotel nights if the treatment takes longer than planned

What to expect on the trip

1. Before you go: you send X-rays and photos, and the clinic sends a written plan and a list of what the package covers.
2. Arrival: someone meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel.
3. First appointment: the dentist examines you and takes new scans. The plan may change. Any change should come in writing with the new price.
4. Treatment days: appointments are spread over several days, with rest days in between.
5. Final check: the clinic checks the fit and bite before you fly.
6. Going home: you take your records, X-rays and warranty with you.

Our guide to planning your visits explains how long each treatment usually takes.

Questions to ask before you pay

• Which dentist will do my treatment, and what are their qualifications?
• Is the treatment price itemised, tooth by tooth?
• Which travel services are included, and for how many nights?
• What happens to the price if the plan changes after my first appointment?
• What's the deposit, and when is it refunded?
• What does the warranty cover after I'm home?

Package or book it yourself?

You don't need a package. Many patients contact the clinic directly, agree the plan, then book their own flights and hotel near the clinic. That way you choose where you stay and can see exactly what the treatment costs. Either way, check the clinic first. Our guide to choosing a clinic lists what to look for, and money and payments covers deposits and receipts.