Treatment abroad can work well, and it can go wrong. The difference is usually decided before you travel, in how carefully you check the clinic and the plan. Use this list for any clinic, including ones we work with.
Who will actually treat you
Ask for the names and registration of the dentists who will do your treatment, not only the clinic's name. Check the registration with the relevant authority in the country. A clinic that cannot tell you who will treat you before you book is a warning sign.
The clinic itself
Look for an operating licence, a documented sterilisation protocol and professional liability insurance. Ask for evidence rather than reassurance. Photographs of the real premises, rather than stock images, are a reasonable request.
A plan you can read
You should receive a written plan and quote before you pay. It should name materials and brands, state what is included and excluded and explain what could add cost. Be cautious of a plan that arrives only after you have travelled.
A conversation with the dentist
A video consultation with the dentist who will treat you is a fair expectation. It is also a chance to judge whether they listen, explain alternatives and say when something is not needed.
Aftercare and what happens if something goes wrong
Ask what the warranty covers and in writing. Ask who you contact if there is a problem after you are home, how quickly they reply and who pays for corrective work. Check that your dentist at home will see you for follow-up.
Pressure and price
A price far below the others deserves a question about what is missing. Be wary of discounts that expire, requests for large deposits before a written plan, or advice to book flights before the dates are confirmed.
The short version
Check the people, the premises, the plan and the aftercare. If you cannot get clear written answers on all four, do not book.
General information, not medical advice. A qualified dentist decides what suits you after examining you.