How to choose a dental clinic in Vietnam

What to check before you send a deposit, from licences to written quotes and warranties.

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Key points

  • Check that the clinic holds an operating licence and that the treating dentist has a practising certificate.
  • Get the treatment plan and quote in writing, tooth by tooth, before you book flights.
  • Ask what the warranty covers once you're back home, and get it in writing.
  • Compare two or three clinics using the same X-rays.

Choosing a clinic is the decision that matters most. Price differences between good clinics are usually small next to the cost of fixing poor work later.

Check the paperwork

In Vietnam, a dental clinic needs a licence to operate from the provincial Department of Health, and each dentist needs a practising certificate. Ask the clinic for both numbers. Every clinic on this site has shown us its licence and its lead dentist's certificate. Read how we verify clinics for the details.

Ask who will treat you

A clinic is only as good as the dentist doing your work. Ask for the name of the dentist for each step, especially the implant surgeon, and how long they've done that procedure.

Get it in writing

Before you book flights, ask for:

  • a treatment plan listing each tooth and what will be done to it
  • an itemised quote, including scans, temporary teeth and medication
  • the number of visits, and how many days apart they are
  • the warranty terms, including what happens if something fails after you're home

Clinics that are confident in their work are usually happy to write this down.

Compare like with like

Send the same recent X-rays and photos to two or three clinics. If one plan is very different, for example 20 crowns where another suggests 8 veneers, ask each clinic to explain its reasoning.

Red flags

Be careful with a clinic that pushes you to decide on the day, won't say who the dentist is, quotes only a single package price, or promises results that sound too good, such as a full set of crowns in two days with no consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to have dental treatment in Vietnam?

Many clinics in Vietnam treat international patients every day, but standards vary. Choose a licensed clinic, ask who will treat you, and get the plan in writing. These are the same questions you'd ask at home.

Should I pay a deposit before I arrive?

Some clinics ask for one to hold appointments. Pay only after you have a written plan, and ask under what conditions it's refunded.

What if the clinic finds more work once I'm in the chair?

It happens, because X-rays and photos don't show everything. Ask for the change in writing with a new price before you agree to it.

Sources

  1. NHS. Going abroad for treatment.
  2. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Travelers' health, Vietnam.

This article is general information, not medical advice. A dentist who has examined you is the right person to recommend treatment.