- Four out of 10 Britons that go for dental treatment abroad do so to avoid NHS waiting lists at home, a survey has revealed.
- This was the top reason for seeking treatment, while 30% went overseas because it was cheaper.
- Most people (68%) had dental implants work done while 20% opted for cosmetic operations like porcelain crowns and bridges.
- The poll of 7,000 Britons was published by the International Medical Travel Association (IMTA).
- Of this figure, 8% (529) had had dental treatment abroad at least once, and men were almost twice as likely to visit a dental clinic abroad.
- Older people were far more likely to go abroad for treatment, with 16% of those aged over 65 years seeking dental treatment abroad, and 12% doing so on more than one occasion.
- In comparison, 7% of those aged 18 – 24 and 8% of those aged 25 – 35 sought dental treatment abroad.
- The poll found that 34% of people went to a dental clinic abroad because the NHS would not cover that type of cosmetic dentistry in the UK, while 32% wanted dental treatment that was too costly in the UK, like CEREC, Procera or Zirconia crowns.
- More than one in four (27%) wanted to combine dentistry with a holiday and 9% wanted to go for dentistry abroad to get away from family or work while they recuperated.