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So you won't be here for the conference Greg? That's right Charles, it's ten years since
I was last overseas. Jan and I booked a few months ago and we are really looking forward
to it. I can well imagine, how long will you be away? Three weeks, we are going to have
our teeth fixed. To have your teeth fixed, are you serious? Absolutely. I have done my
research and found that Jan and I can both have all our teeth fixed for much less than
we would pay here for just one of us. We are in for a bit of 'dental tourism'. Greg, I
am really glad we are having this chat because I do know a few things about this so called
'dental tourism'. O Charles, I would be grateful for all the advice I can get because this
is a big step for us. Tell me, how did you come across the practice in Thailand. On the
internet, by looking at various websites. And what made you choose this practice in
particular? Well, I read glowing testimonials on their website from happy customers. Also
the price was unbelievably low and we can see a number of dentists and dental specialists
in the one dental resort. OK, let me see if I can help out here. Lets first talk about
the testimonials. Did you know it is against the law in Australia for any registered health
practitioner, dentist included, to display any reviews or testimonials about their services
on any form of marketing within their control and that includes websites, Facebook and print
marketing? Wow, I didn't know that. That law was introduced a few years ago, it's not possible
to put into place any checks and controls to ensure such testimonials are in face genuine.
So the law is designed to protect that Australian public against deceptive and misleading advertising.
When you are looking for a dentist either here in Australia or overseas, you should
not rely on any reviews or testimonials published on the internet. You'd be better off relying
on word of mouth or referrals from someone you know personally who has first hand experience
of that dentist. I'm sure that is very good advice, but what about the price difference,
do you know why that exists? Well, you might be surprised if I told you their are quite
expensive dentists in Thailand just as there are very cheap dentists here in Australia.
I know of some Australian dental practices that charge prices that are quite similar
to what you'd be paying in Thailand. You're spot on. In my research I have seen several
practices in Australia marketing themselves as half price or offering what they call budget
dentistry. That's right, in reality price differences including those in laboratory
costs, materials costs, technology and skilled labour can exist in all countries. So any
dental practice anywhere in the world can certainly keep their underlying costs to a
minimum somehow. Interesting, what about the fact that we would be able to have everything
done in the one place? If you're having complex dental treatment by a number of clinicians
I have to agree that the one location is an advantage, but there are also Australian dental
specialists in various fields who practice in the one location. Greg, there is no way
such dental practices in Australia will be able to compete on your Thailand resort for
price, or for that matter to price match the budget clinics in Australia. No, but now I
can see that when it comes to spending money on teeth there is no such thing as a free
lunch. Correct, there is no doubt getting your teeth fixed can be quite expensive but
it is so important to compare apples with apples when it comes to dental costs, and
it is crucial that you make a fully informed decision. Well, thank you Charles. I appreciate
you having shared so much valuable knowledge with me. It sure looks like Jan and I have
a fair bit of talking and re-thinking to do.