Dental Treatmen in Albania
 

A friend has just called me to say he's thinking of going to Albania for dental treatment, he needs 4 crowns, which he can get done there for the cost of 1 in UK or western Europe.

My initial reaction was a bit sceptical, and I suggested that Poland, Hungary, or Czech Republic might all be a more reliable alternative. Albania has always seemed backwards in many ways and has a bad reputation, maybe not totally deserved. I've been there and it's not that bad but I'm not sure I'd want to have my teeth fixed there.

The website makes it all look really professional. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or view on this.

Serbia is close and doctors are very good and not expensive.

In one word, don't

The medical and dental professions spend more and more time correcting poor treatment in foreign countries. Anyone can produce an impressive website. You may be able to save a little money by getting treatment in other countries with a similar level of professional standards such as France or Germany but please beware of the significant risks of going to less developed countries.

Rather as in the UK, the final arbiter of treatment will depend to a large extent on where the specialist actually trained and from which medical or dental school he qualified.

Thanks for the various ideas.

Looking at the website, which I'm not allowed to publish here, it looks as if they are mostly Albanian, Italian or Turkish names. the women are all suspiciously good looking, and of course have perfect teeth (they would, wouldn't they!).

Googling 'dental treatment in Albania' will bring up a number of similar places.

Whereas I have nothing against Albania and its people, quite the opposite in fact, I would not be happy about undergoing elective surgery there. If my friend decides to go I'll certainly go with him as it's a fascinating country which I enjoyed on previous visits some years ago. Anyway it's a choice he must make and it will be based largely on his financial situation, which is not good, and the fact that he has no medical aid.

It might be a good idea to ask around your friends and work colleagues, possibly your AME, for recommendation and maybe pay a bit more for treatment than Albanian.

As you only get one set of adult teeth it makes sense not to take any chances.

I agree with all that. I don't cut corners when it comes to health, in any case I have good coverage. The problem is that this friend has very little money and what little he's got he prefers to spend on cars.

I've given him my advice, which is to stick to the countries better known for professional dental care, but ....... as with people who fly on Ryanair, it's all about the money.

Wherever he goes, in eastern Europe, I'll be happy to go along as wingman! That part of the world fascinates me.

Is your friend Italian?
If he were than by all means go to Albania which is a Muslim country of great beauty. Jihadists there could kidnap him and hold his teeth for ransom to the Italian government which could be counted upon to pay millions for their safe return. Such hostage moolah should more than compensate for short term tooth lose and commensurate dental work.

They'd probably put his teeth on e-bay to help fund the war!

I had dental treatment in an emergency in Albania a couple of years ago. The clinic was nice and standards typical european high, so I would go there again.

No, he's a Yorkshireman, they keep their wallets fairly tightly closed, but seriously he's not stingy, just wants to get it done as cheaply as possible, .....ummm.

Glad to see one positive comment about Albanian dentistry, thank you.

Capetonian,

Maybe he should get a second opinion to see if he genuinely needs four crowns. If this is indeed so, there are NHS dentists who would be obligated to provide these 4 crowns under one course of treatment ie. NHS Band 3 fee of 219-00 pounds.

Silly thing hey, having to provide four, five or one and getting paid a flat fee.....? Anyway I digress!

Only one question: Who does he go to if it goes wrong?

I assume he's exhausted the options of the NHS.

As for who he goes to when it goes wrong ...... that is the question I've raised with him.

I recently had some treatment in Gdansk poland at one of the many dentists used by english/german tourists, dental practice seemed very advanced and up to date, only treatment I had was a check up and white filling at £70 which was fine and no trouble since, I believe implants carried out are around £1k which is much cheaper than the uk, I didn't find out the cost of crowns but am sure this is given on the websites of the dentists provided.

Thanks for all the info and updates.

I think my pal has decided to go to Hungary, which is a big step up from Albania in cost but he feels it's a safer option. From my perspective, Albania would have been a more interesting option, but I'll enjoy going to Hungary with him anyway.

I would just love to know on what grounds he has decided it to be a safer option

I think the point you may have missed is that Hungary is safer than Albania.

Hungary has a well established reputation for good quality dental treatment. Albania doesn't. If it were me, I wouldn't choose either in this case, but he is of very limited financial means.

And I would also love to know the basis for claiming Hungary is safer than Albania......

Both are effectively unknowns. Hungary was historically part of the Russian empire. The quality of training and practice of this region is dubious at best. Younger dentists may have had a more western training but then there is the issue of equipment, drugs, disposables, CPD, regulation, oversight etc etc etc.

If you are a Hungarian dentist in your spare time and can vouch that all these issues are up to western standards then I withdraw my reservations, but in reality I suspect neither of us have a clue. Many others read this thread and it is important we reiterate my original point which is that it is potentially dangerous to take a gamble with your health with overseas treatment

This individual has the ability to source NHS dental treatment we believe. The cost of that proven quality is less than the cost of getting to Hungary let alone accommodation and time off work. Sorry, I can't see any logic in what he is wandering into......

Radgirl : You make some valid points based on certain assumptions, but those assumptions may be wrong.

The eastern bloc countries have come a long way since the fall of the Soviet Empire. Hungary, Czech Republic, and Poland in particular. I have spent time in that area both before and after the very welcome fall of communism and observed this first hand. They are also part of the EU and whatever faults that rotten and corrupt organisation has, it does at least offer certain standards and guarantees in term of practice and consumer protection, whereas (I'm guessing here ....) Albania probably has none.

The NHS and indeed most state social security systems pay only a very small amount towards what they consider 'cosmetic' treatment (e.g. crowns and implants). This again I have first hand experience of.

In some parts of the UK NHS treatment is excellent and waiting times are short - in this respect I was very lucky a year when a fall resulted in a broken wrist - but in others it is atrocious.

A few years ago when I was in Budapest I was out running on Margaret Island I had a fall which resulted in a very messy cut and potential infection on gravel, on my knee and hand. I was taken to a doctor's surgery by some kind bystanders, and was very impressed not just by the kindness of those involved, but by the cleanliness and professionalism which was evident at the modern and well equipped surgery. I was cleaned up and bandaged and dosed up by a doctor who spoke excellent English, and the amount I was charged was minimal.