Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

T hroughout the UK, Eu- rope and America, peo- ple are heading abroad to receive dental care, having been lured by the cheap pric- es of dental treatments and cosmetic dentistry. Dental tourism is rapidly becoming a very attractive option for those people who need cosmetic den- tistry procedures, restorative dental care, and routine dental treatment but believe the treat- ments carried out in the UK are too expensive. However, the current trend is giving patients more prob- lems than it is solving and there are more and more high profile cases of treatments going wrong overseas. Recently, Sherree Rolf, 49, travelled to Hungary and had a full set of crowns, veneers and bridgework done for half the cost of UK dental work at just £5,765. However, she claims the Hungarian com- pany Dentart-Klinik left her jaw broken halfway through the five days of treatment in Gyor. Thousands of Britons travel abroad every year for cheap dental work and many is- sues can begin as soon the patients return home. Once Sherree was back in the UK she visited her den- tist, who upon inspection found that her jaw was broken. They also found that two veneers were also cracked. Commenting on the issue, a spokesman for Dental Protec- tion said: “Prevention is better than cure. Patients travelling abroad for dental treatment should enquire what arrange- ments are in place and what costs might be involved if the treatment is unsatisfactory. Pa- tients should also ensure that the dentist providing the treat- ment is properly indemnified against claims in negligence, and that the dentist and patient can communicate effectively when seeking and giving con- sent for treatment.” With regards to where the blame would lie if the treat- ment fails in spite of addi- tional work carried out by a UK dentist, the spokesman added: “It is standard prac- tice for dentists to examine all new and existing patients carefully, particularly noting any changes that might have occurred since the patient was last examined. It is important where treatment has been car- ried out in another practice (or indeed another country) that a new baseline chart is documented. It is also critical that any concerns identified are described to the patient, without bias and in a factual way, noting the conversation in the records and any specific issues that the patient wanted to discuss. “These records are very im- portant if concerns are later raised by the patient in the light of any remedial treatment un- dertaken in the UK or with re- gard to the original work done outside the UK. All the con- temporaneous dental records, radiographs, photographs etc are invaluable sources of evi- dence if a claim in negligence is made.” Deputy head of the DDU, Bryan Harvey said: “All proce- dures carry a degree of risk, wherever they are carried out. “We believe it is important that patients themselves ask questions before signing on the dotted line for dental treatment overseas. For example, does the dentist speak English, do they know what follow-up there will be from the dentist carrying out the procedure and what will happen if they return to the UK and something goes wrong? Is there a complaints procedure? And most importantly, if the dentist acts negligently and the patient is harmed as a result, will it be possible to obtain compensation?” DT The price of dental tourism P iloting of new contractual dental arrangements for Northern Ireland is over- due and must begin promptly, the British Dental Association (BDA) argued. Submitting its response to the Health and Social Care Board’s consultation on piloting new den- tal contracts, the BDA said that it believed the proposed personal dental services scheme would meet the objective of testing the proposed arrangements for den- tistry and pressed for progress. The BDA response also stresses the importance of pi- lots being allowed to produce a clear picture of both positive and negative implications of the new arrangements against a difficult financial position, and emphasises theneed to under- stand theeffectofelementsofthe contract including payments for patient care, quality and items of service. BDA also welcomes the Health and Social Care Board’s acknowledgement that it will be important to pilot revised patient charges prior to the implementation of the de- finitive new contracts. Whilst the BDA response also signals its agreement with the proposal to have separate contracts for primary dental care, orthodontics and oral surgery, it highlights that chang- es in one area of dentistry will impact on another. The ability of practitioners with enhanced training and skills to deliver treatments that might otherwise be unavailable to patients in certain areas is particularly im- portant, the BDA argues. Peter Crooks, Chair of the BDA’s Northern Ireland Den- tal Practice Committee, said: “It’s nearly five years since reform was touted. Progress is well overdue. These pi- lots will take place against a backdrop of financial pres- sures and will need to take ac- count of the difficult circum- stances facing practitioners. “Nonetheless, Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee en- dorses the proposed scheme and looks forward to continuing constructive and meaningful engagement as pilots progress. It is important that these pilots are given the time and re- sources they need so that their effects can be properly understood and a better future delivered for health service den- tistry in Northern Ireland.” DT BDA calls for piloting overdue NI contracts Patients need to know the risks of getting dental treatment abroad A OG and Smile-On, in con- junction with the Dental Directory and the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), will again be hosting the 2011 Clinical Innovations Conference (CIC). Now in its eighth year, the CIC promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a wealth of top speakers, including the AOG’s President, Pomi Datta, who said: “Last year’s conference and the dinner brought together innova- tors and thinkers of this millenni- um. We are going to build on that with our partners and friends. We want to make this the most excit- ing annual event in Europe.” Taking place on the 6th and 7th of May 2011 in the iconic set- ting of the Royal College of Phy- sicians, (pictured), situated in the heart of London, the CIC prom- ises to offer all members of the dental team some unmissable learning opportunities and the chance to gain up to 14 hours of verifiable CPD. With innovation once again the main theme, dental profes- sionals can expect to learn more about the latest developments within the field of endodontics from the likes of Julian Webber, occlusion from Raj Rayan OBE and an opportunity to discover the benefits of practising mini- mally invasive orthodontics with speakers such as Tif Qureshi and James Russell. Confirmed speakers include: The internationally acclaimed Nasser Barghi, Joe Omar, Peet van der Vyver, Eddie Lynch, Bob McLelland and Wyman Chan, amongst many others. On the Friday, attendees will also have the opportunity of attending the Conference Charity Ball, which will be held at the fashionable Millennium Mayfair Hotel. Last year’s proceeds went to the AOG- sponsored project in Chitrakoot to repair cleft lips and palates and provide dental treatment for 500 villages in one of the most rural parts of India. Secretary of the AOG, Dr Nis- han Dixit, is thrilled to once again be involved with this dynamic gathering: “As one of the UK’s fastest-growing dental organisa- tions, we are a body that not only values professional standards but also understands the need for in- novation within dentistry, as well as the vital role that continuing education plays within the pro- fession. We also hope that CIC delegates will join us in striv- ing towards ‘the greater good’, our organisation’s motto, at the Conference Charity Ball, which promises to be a really fun and glamorous occasion, all in aid of a good cause.” Given the record attendance rates at the 2010 event, delegates are advised to book early to avoid disappointment. The deadline for early bird registration, which entitles those who book before 7th March 2011 to a 15 per cent concession, is fast approaching! Members and clients of affiliated sponsors and co-organisers may also be entitled to special rates, so get in touch with the organisers to find out more. Why not use this opportunity to keep in touch with innovations in this dynamic and fast-grow- ing area of dentistry and help your practice reach its most profitable potential? For more information, visit www.aoguk.org - For early bird offers, or to book, please visit: http://www.clinicalinnovations. co.uk/ or call 0207 400 8956 DT Time running out for ‘early bird’ discount February 14-20, 20114 News United Kingdom Edition