Warning about overseas dental tourism

The Weekend Australian reported that health insurer NIB plans to offer offshore medical tourism packages.

ADA Federal President Dr Karin Alexander warned about the downside of dental tourism. She said that while prices for overseas treatment may seem cheaper, there is no way that the quality of work performed can be guaranteed.

"We have a very high level of regulation in Australia to ensure safety and we also have rules about security of the workforce and those elements aren't there in most Asian countries," she said.

"Dentistry is rarely a one-off operation, but instead requires ongoing consultation, and that requires an individual dentist who knows an individual and what their issues are. Any work done overseas can't really be followed up anywhere in Australia."

The Australian Medical Association has expressed similar reservations.