Cheaper Out East
Access Smile provides dental care for Irish patients in Budapest, writes Conor Power
Cork-based Access Smile was founded four years ago by managing director Helen O’Brien, after she discovered that Hungary has a level of sophistication in dentistry that is superior to Ireland. Access owns its own clinic in Budapest and uses a surgery in Dublin to provide any aftercare services such as stitch- removal or any necessary minor adjustments or problems.
The clinic consists of three dental surgeries and an X-ray room off a large reception area. The chief dental surgeon is Dr Gabriella Nyiri, who explained that Access offers the full range of dental services, from the most basic cleaning and bleaching to orthodontics, and a popular cosmetic service known as Smile Design.
This uses a computer-assisted design technique to assess unevenly placed or oddly shaped teeth before coming up with a solution to improve the clients smile. Another of the advanced techniques the clinic uses is an air abrasion system with spray.
This ‘drilling-without-a-drill’ treatment uses a jet of fine powder that takes away the decayed part of the tooth without causing any damage to the rest. It also means no anaesthetic is required.
Depending on the work to be done, the cost saving can be significant. Says O’Brien: “In Ireland, you can be quoted anything between €700 and €1,500 per crown. In Hungary you’re talking about €400. Ceramic would be the highest-quality material. In Hungary the price is about €500 to €600. The same product in Ireland would set you back about €2,000” Implants typically cost €1,000 in Hungary compared with €4,000 in Ireland."
O’Brien’s view is that costs are so much higher in Ireland because the profession is a closed shop. "In Ireland, 4,000 dentists serve a population of four million, while Hungary has over 48,000 registered dentists for 10 million people.” Details:www.access-smile.ie.
16:00 13/08/2010
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