Cheap overseas dental work dangerous say dentists

Thousands of Australians are shopping overseas for discount dental work to save tens of thousands of dollars, but dentists warns it poses a serious risk to your health.

Hospitality worker Karenne McGuigan knocked out her four front teeth when she walked into a glass door in 2012 and needed a complete mouth reconstruction.

"I was looking at $85,000-$86,000 to have my teeth done in Australia," she said. "It's just not do-able. I was 40 years old, I had no front teeth. I was going to live with dentures for the rest of my life...I started looking in Bali, Thailand, Cambodia, Brazil, Colombia and India."

After four years without teeth, and months of research, Ms McGuigan booked into Dentzz Dental Care Centre in Mumbai, India. Over three trips to India and more than 30 hours in the dental chair, she was still $60,000 better off than having the procedure in Australia. Including accommodation and flights, she spent $25,000.

"I'm just so happy and so proud," said Ms McGuigan. "I want to shout it from the rooftops. I want other people to know it's okay to take the chance."

She's one of thousands who choose to travel overseas, instead of having dental work in Australia.

"There is certainly an increase in popularity," said Dr Kang Kin from the Australian Dental Association. "People are talking about it more and there are more private companies that are offering the product."

The savings are substantial. A full mouth reconstruction in Australia costs upwards from $35,000. In Thailand it's around $10,00 and in India it's around $4800. Australians will pay on average $1558 for one full crown. In Thailand it's around $600 and in India $200.

The Australian Dental Association warn that going overseas is simply not worth the risk.

"A lot of people are looking to try it out because it doesn't cost very much and make a holiday out of it," said Dr Kin. "The human body is not a disposable product. You can't throw it away and buy something new. When the damage is done, it's done permanently."

It warns patients have returned from overseas with permanent damage to their teeth and mouth. With lower infection control standards than Australia, patients have also contracted blood borne diseases.

"Superbugs are becoming more prevalent in overseas hospitals," said Dr Kin. "Infectious diseases like HIV and Hep C, we've seen a few cases of that as well."