Safety

[Kiwiinqld]

Hello,
I'm new to this so hope this is the right place to ask...
Could someone tell me how safe it is to travel overseas for dental work? I'm thinking of going but wonder if I should maybe take a friend with me because my mum keeps going on at me about travelling as a single female. I've never been to Manila but feel quite confident in going it alone... anyone been before?
Any tips welcomed! Thanks, Kiwiinqld

[david]

Hi Kiwiinqld

Welcome to the forum and congrats for being the first poster ever!

I'm not quite sure how this is all going to run yet... I suppose a good start would be to answer your question.

Could someone tell me how safe it is to travel overseas for dental work?

This is a very broad question and my first instinct is to say, it depends on where you travel and the dentist you choose.

 From my experience a good check list would be:

How experienced is your dentist ?
How long has the dental clinic been in business?
Ask to see gennuine examples of their work
Will they provide a trial fitting of your crowns etc before you leave for home?
Ask to see the qualifications of your dentist.
Ask them to send you their sterilisation methods.
Do they use disposable shringes?
Where do they source their materials, Germany,USA or local ?
Do a search for negative feedback.

Traveling overseas for dental work or any purpose will always carry some risk.  but I think the risks can be greatly reduced with careful planning and research.

I did my initial trip alone but given the choice again I would take someone with me. New places seem a lot more fun to explore when you have company.

[Kiwiinqld]

Thanks David for your reply. You've made a few suggestions that I hadn't thought of which is most helpful. I have had a quote from your clinic and a couple of other dentists and some of these points have been addressed, but I now have a better idea of what I should be asking.
I see this is still a fairly new forum but maybe there is another lady out there who has travelled on her own and could tell me about how they felt with regard to personal safety...?
Thanks again, Kiwiinqld

[david]

Your welcome kiwiinqld 

Sorry for the edit to your post. but I don't want to turn this forum into a tacky personal marketing drive.

Although I do know who your are now  ..and thank you for your support

[babytooth]

Hi kiwinqld. I'm another kiwi girl living in Queensland (7 years originally from Wellington)) I arrived back from Manila late July after traveling for dentalwork by my self. I can honestly say I felt completely safe while walking around the city. Although I must add I didn't venture out at night. The worst thing I think was when I went to some of the poor area's as there was alot of begging and trinket selling and some of the children are very persistant. Overall I found the people friendly and polite. I also did lot's of clothes shopping 

Also my teeth turned out fantastic !!!

[George]

My wife and I have just returned from Manila and we had no problems whatsoever. In some areas there are pan handlers and young kids trying to sell you things but really nothing that gave us coarse for concern.

Mind you we did have a chappy near the hotel that kept trying to sell me viagra, cheeky bugger. 

George