Dental tourism: where to go for treatment?

Having your teeth treated is expensive. This is a fact. If you don't need anything more than an annual check-up and a scaling, you are very well reimbursed in France, but if you didn't inherit good teeth, as soon as you go beyond the classic care, the prices are quickly prohibitive.

However, there is no question of not seeking treatment, as the consequences can be very serious and affect the entire body.

With the democratization of airline tickets, a new phenomenon has appeared : dental tourism. Nutrident.fr takes you on a trip and advises you on the best destinations to treat your teeth in excellent conditions, much cheaper than in France and can even benefit from the reimbursement of Social Security.

Why give in to dental tourism?

The trio of the most popular countries for dental care includes Hungary, Portugal and Spain. These are three European countries in which the practitioners' qualifications are as high quality as in France, with a level of technical equipment and hygiene that have nothing to envy to French dental clinics.

For major work, such as implants or crowns, prices are much lower than in France. You can expect to halve or even triple your bill. This difference is explained by the fact that the cost of labor is much too high in France and that our practitioners cannot compete on equal terms because of their charges, which are among the highest in the world.

If you stay in the European Union, we explain below how you will be reimbursed in the same way as in France. And then, it's time to combine business with pleasure and to take advantage of it to do a little tourism!

Reimbursement of dental care by the Social Security

Once you have selected the clinic you wish to visit, you must send them a panoramic x-ray of your teeth, which you can request from your dentist or from a radiology center. The clinic will send you a detailed estimate in return.

Once the estimate has been accepted, the clinic will explain how the treatment will be carried out and whether you will need one or more visits. Transportation and accommodation are of course your responsibility, but often the dental clinic can advise you and even help you organize your trip.

Your care will be reimbursed by the health insurance and by your mutual insurance company on the basis of the French rate. You must have your estimate accepted by your complementary insurance and notify social security at least two weeks before your appointment.

You will receive an S3125 form that you must attach to your panoramic x-ray and treatment bill. This invoice must detail each treatment, with the list of procedures, the identification by number of the teeth concerned, the French codification and all the details of the intervention.

You must ensure that the invoice is written in French and that it is marked “montant acquitté le” and the date, as well as the clinic's professional stamp.

Be sure to keep your payment receipts and attach a copy to your file. It is also advisable to keep all your transportation and accommodation receipts, even if it is not mandatory to attach them to the file.

Reimbursement will automatically follow its course, even if it may take a little longer than for care provided in France. Once Medicare has processed your file, it will forward it to your supplemental insurance.

Hungary as first choice

Hungary is the leading country for dental tourism. All the elements come together to make it the best place to get treatment. Dental care abroad is of excellent quality, with practitioners trained in the best schools and highly professional multilingual teams. The clinics are equipped with the latest technology and maintain an exemplary level of hygiene. Expect to pay 50 to 70% less than in France.

Hungarian dentists benefit from the best schools in their country and often study and intern abroad to further their knowledge. They all speak English and sometimes French. The country has long understood the importance of dental tourism, long before any other country.

Since the 1970's, the sectors have developed and today they have a great deal of experience. In retrospect, the outcome is extremely positive and you are not at risk in choosing Hungary as your destination. You can even find dental clinics that offer you an all-inclusive package, with airfare and lodging, in addition to the treatments.

On the other hand, this Eastern European country is a very interesting tourist destination, with a rich and exciting natural and historical heritage. Try to stay a few days – you may have to if you have to have several treatment sessions – and visit Hungary. The tourist reception is charming and you will be surprised by the safe climate that reigns there, wherever you are. You won't risk any aggression or any other inconvenience, it's a good country to live in.

Air connections are available from many cities in France. Its capital, Budapest, is two hours by plane from Paris.

Portugal and Spain, two other quality destinations

Portugal

Portugal is the second destination we recommend. Prices are a little less interesting than in Hungary, but still much cheaper than in France. If you go to Portugal, you will understand why it is also the favorite destination of French retirees. You will be well received and their reputation of clean country is not usurped, you may even have a shock when you return to France!

You can find airfare at very low prices and life there is very cheap (accommodation, food and car rental). The quality of care is excellent.

Spain

Spain is also a very popular country for the quality of its care and for its proximity to France. Obviously, if you live in the south of France, this is a possibility to seriously consider.

Prices are also a little higher than in Hungary, but the quality of care and facilities is perfect.

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