The main driving force for British, Irish and American patients seeking high quality dental care overseas is purely down to cost in the majority of cases. Due to the lower cost of living in Hungary, services such as dental treatment are often much less expensive than at home
Prices vary considerably between the UK, Ireland and Hungary and so does quality, but expect to save somewhere in the region of 50% to 80% if you travel to Hungary for dental treatment compared to treatment in the UK, Ireland or the U.S.
Payment Methods
Always check with the dental clinic directly about their preferred methods of payment for your dental treatment. Most Hungarian dental clinics work in a similar way regarding payment but it is worth checking before you commit.
Cash
Most dental clinics will accept cash once you arrive but again it is worth checking each clinics payment policy before you commit to the deal.
If you are traveling from a popular country such as Great Britain, Ireland or the U.S, then the clinic may already have sent you an estimate or price list in your own local currency. If this is the case then you may be able to pay the clinic in Euro’s, Pound Sterling or US Dollars rather than having to suffer the instability of international exchange rates.
Debit / Credit Card
Most major clinics will have a payment terminal which will accept most recognized debit / credit cards. It is worth checking because not all dentists have the terminal installed as it is expensive.
Debit cards are sometimes free to use but be prepared for a 1% charge. If your dental treatment is £10,000 then expect a £100 fee just to use the service. The people that use this facility see the £100 investment as a necessity as cash can be stolen.
Credit cards often attract a 2.5% to 3% charge or more depending on who supplied the card. As you know credit cards can offer protection on purchases over £100.
Taking a credit card on 0% balance transfer has been very popular in recent years and 0% on purchases is getting popular. It can be a cheap way to borrow money if used correctly.
Finance
Specialist dental finance is a complex animal to the average consumer. The traditional advantage of dental finance is that you don’t have to visit your local bank manager and confess why you want the money. It is not such a big issue now that we can arrange loans on the internet but there still could be some benefits such as 0% for a while.
Dental Finance is similar to a normal loan except that it is often bought through the dental practice where you have treatment.
Dental Finance is very popular with prestigious dental clinics here in the UK but only a handful of Hungarian dental clinics offer this at present as a UK consumer credit license is needed which is quite expensive.
As always, read the small print and make sure you fully understand the agreement before committing.
Treatments
Dental Implants
Dental Implant prices vary considerably depending on which brand you chose. To add confusion some dentists price the dental implant and abutment together whilst others price the dental implant and abutment separately. There are valid arguments for both methods!
AVERAGE UK PRICE FOR DENTAL IMPLANT WITH ABUTMENT = £1,500 TO £2,500 (INCLUDING SURGERY)
EQUIVALENT PRICE IN HUNGARY = £500 TO £600 (INCLUDING SURGERY)
This price is based on a mid range high quality dental implant with standard abutment. The cost includes surgery and post operative care. There are less expensive dental implant brands available as well as brands higher in price.
The restoration which attaches to the dental implant is usually priced separately as this can be a crown, bridge or denture.
Dental Implants are generally not available on the NHS.
Dental Crowns
This is slightly more complicated to price up as quality varies considerably in the UK and Ireland. There are several material types also available in private dentistry to add complication.
In Hungary the quality is constant as they are catering for the overseas traveller and they work with 2 main types of material.
STANDARD CROWN IN UK ON A LIKE FOR LIKE BASIS = £800 TO £1000 OR MORE
STANDARD CROWN IN HUNGARY ON A LIKE FOR LIKE BASIS = £190 TO £220
ZIRCONIUM CROWNS IN UK ON A LIKE FOR LIKE BASIS = £1200 UPWARDS
ZIRCONIUM CROWN IN HUNGARY ON A LIKE FOR LIKE BASIS = £280 TO £360
It is possible to get less expensive crowns in the UK but we have to question the quality that you will receive.
Patients who have already had crowns in the UK for around the £450 to £500 mark often travel to Hungary due to dissatisfaction. Cheap crowns in the UK are often the wrong size, wrong shape and have a horrible black line where it meets the gums. In Hungary you will receive the very best private care available from your dentist and dental technician. They will ensure that the result is the best possible.
Bridges
A dental bridge is two or more crowns fused together to form a bridge.
STANDARD 3 UNIT BRIDGE IN UK ON A LIKE FOR LIKE BASIS = £2.400 TO £3,000 OR MORE
STANDARD 3 UNIT BRIDGE IN HUNGARY ON A LIKE FOR LIKE BASIS = £570 TO £660
ZIRCONIUM 3 UNIT BRIDGE IN UK ON A LIKE FOR LIKE BASIS = £3,600 UPWARDS
ZIRCONIUM 3 UNIT BRIDGE IN HUNGARY ON A LIKE FOR LIKE BASIS = £840 TO £1080
The example is a 3 unit bridge but a bridge can be anywhere from 2 units upwards.
