Questions to ask before dental treatment abroad - a UK patient checklist

Most dental tourism problems start not in the dental chair but in the research phase. Patients book before they have enough information, trust verbal promises over written plans, and arrive to discover the treatment or the cost is not what they expected.

The questions on this page will not eliminate risk. But they will give you the information you need to consent properly, compare clinics honestly, and avoid the most common sources of disappointment.

Work through this checklist before paying a deposit to any overseas clinic.

Why asking questions matters more than reading reviews

Reviews tell you what previous patients felt. Questions tell you what you specifically should expect for your specific case.

A clinic with good reviews for routine crowns may not be set up for a complex full-arch reconstruction. A clinic with beautiful before-and-after photos may not be able to tell you which ceramic system produced those results or whether the protocol will work for your bone quality.

Reviews are useful background. Specific questions, answered in writing, are what you need before committing.

Section 1: Credentials and dentist identity

Q1. What is the treating dentist’s full name and title?

You should know who is treating you before you arrive. A clinic that cannot or will not name your treating dentist at the planning stage is a concern.

Q2. Where did the dentist qualify, and in what year?

This is not a test of suspicion. It is basic information that helps you verify the dentist independently. Most reputable clinics publish this on their website. If they do not, ask directly.

Q3. Does the dentist hold any specialist registration or continuing education credentials?

In Vietnam, dentists are regulated by the Ministry of Health. While the regulatory framework differs from the GDC, dentists can hold specialist qualifications, postgraduate training certificates, or membership of international dental organisations. Ask what applies to your treating dentist.

Q4. How many cases similar to mine has the dentist completed?

For implants, ask specifically about cases involving similar bone quality or complexity. For veneers, ask about full-smile veneer cases. Volume is not the only measure of quality, but experience with your specific case type matters.

Q5. Can I speak with my treating dentist before I fly?

A video call or email exchange with the actual clinician — not just the coordinator — before treatment starts is a reasonable expectation for major work. It gives you a sense of how the dentist communicates and whether the clinical thinking behind your plan is sound.

Section 2: The treatment plan

Q6. Can you send me an itemised written treatment plan in GBP before I pay a deposit?

This is the most important question on the list.

An itemised plan should show every treatment line, the tooth or arch it applies to, the material, the estimated cost, and any items that may be added after the in-person examination. It should be in GBP.

If a clinic sends you a package price with no breakdown, you do not have enough information to consent.

Q7. What might change after the in-person examination?

No plan from photos is final. A good clinic will tell you what it is not yet sure about. For implants, you may need CBCT imaging to confirm bone height, which can affect whether grafting is required. For veneers, the in-person examination may reveal that some teeth need crowns rather than veneers.

Ask for the likely range of change, not just the minimum price.

Q8. Does the plan include temporaries?

For multi-tooth cosmetic work, temporary restorations serve as a trial — they let you test the shape, size, and bite before the final ceramics are bonded. If temporaries are not in the plan, ask why and whether you can add them.

Q9. How many days do I need to allow for my treatment?

Under-scheduling is a consistent source of problems in dental tourism. Implant osseointegration takes months. Multi-tooth veneer cases need fitting appointments, temporaries, and review time. Ask specifically how many clinic days the treatment requires, and build buffer time into your trip.

Q10. What happens if I need to return for additional treatment?

Ask whether follow-up is included in the quoted price. Ask whether remote review by email or video is possible. Ask what the process is if a problem appears after you return to the UK.

Section 3: Materials and brands

Q11. What ceramic system will be used for my crowns or veneers?

Named ceramic systems — Emax, Emax Press, Lisi, zirconia, Lava — are not just marketing. They indicate which laboratory is producing your restorations, the material properties, and how the work can be described to a future UK dentist.

At Picasso, the current GBP price list distinguishes Emax Press veneers (GBP 261), Emax Press Plus veneers (GBP 290), non-prep Emax veneers (GBP 319), and Lisi porcelain veneers (GBP 348). Each carries different preparation implications and aesthetic properties.

Q12. What implant brand and component system will be used?

For any implant treatment, ask the brand name, the implant system, and the component type. The difference between Osstem (GBP 725 at Picasso) and Straumann BLX (GBP 1,304) matters not just for price but for documentation, future maintenance, and replacement parts availability in the UK.

Q13. Will I receive the implant documentation and brand card before I leave?

Your UK dentist will need to know what is in your jaw. Ask the clinic to confirm you will receive brand documentation as part of your handover pack.

Q14. Does the lab producing my restorations work in-house or externally?

In-house labs typically mean faster communication between the dentist and technician. External labs may be excellent but add a coordination step. Knowing the answer helps you understand how quality is managed for your case.

Section 4: Safety and clinical process

Q15. Will CBCT imaging be used for implant planning?

Flat panoramic X-rays do not show bone depth and width in three dimensions. Conebeam CT imaging is the standard for implant planning. If you are having implants and the clinic does not offer CBCT, ask why.

At Picasso, CBCT 3D imaging is GBP 19 and is used for all implant and full-arch case planning.

Q16. How does the clinic sterilise instruments between patients?

You do not need a detailed technical answer. You should understand whether instruments are single-use or reusable, how reusable instruments are sterilised, and whether the clinic can show you the sterilisation setup.

A clinic that can explain its sterilisation clearly is one that has thought about it.

Q17. What is the infection control process for surgical cases?

Ask specifically about extractions, implant surgery, and bone grafting — which carry higher infection risk than routine restorations. Ask whether the surgical suite is separated from the routine clinic, what the protocol is for patients with medical conditions, and whether antibiotics or antiseptic rinses are used post-surgery.

Q18. Does the clinic assess medical history before treatment?

Certain medical conditions affect treatment choices: blood thinners, diabetes, bisphosphonates, immunosuppression, and heart conditions all change what is safe to do and when. A clinic should take a full medical history before any treatment, not just before surgery.

Section 5: Aftercare and warranty

Q19. What does the warranty cover, and for how long?

Ask the specific terms, not the marketing phrase. Does it cover debonded veneers, implant failure, crown fracture? What evidence do you need to make a claim? Does it require you to return to Vietnam, or can issues be assessed remotely?

Get the warranty terms in writing before you leave.

Q20. What records will I receive before I fly home?

You should leave with: a treatment summary, X-rays from before and after treatment, implant brand documentation if relevant, shade records if relevant, and contact details for your coordinator.

See the full guide at what records to bring home after dental treatment.

Q21. Can you refer me to a UK dental contact if something goes wrong at home?

The clinic may not have a direct UK referral network, but asking the question tells you whether they have thought about aftercare for international patients. A clinic that has considered this question is more likely to give you useful guidance.

Q22. What is the escalation process if I cannot reach my coordinator?

Coordinators move jobs. Email accounts change. Ask for a clinical contact or administrative backup route so that one personnel change does not leave you with no way to reach the clinic.

Section 6: Cost and consent

Q23. Are there any costs not included in the quoted price?

Ask specifically about: diagnostic imaging, temporary restorations, bone grafts and membranes, sinus augmentation, hygiene appointments, whitening before veneers, night guards, post-treatment review appointments.

These items are commonly excluded from package prices and can add significant cost.

Q24. What payment method is accepted, and when is the deposit required?

Ask whether the deposit is refundable if the in-person examination reveals a significantly different treatment plan. Ask when the balance is due, and whether bank transfer, card, or another method is accepted.

Q25. If I decide to proceed with a different treatment at the in-person examination, how does pricing work?

Treatment plans change on arrival more often than clinics advertise. If the examination shows more extensive bone loss, more decay, or a different clinical picture, you should understand how the pricing works before you are already in the chair.

Using this checklist

Work through these questions by email before you book flights. Write down the answers. If answers are vague, contradictory, or withheld, that tells you something.

You are not trying to catch the clinic out. You are gathering the information you would need if something goes wrong later. A good clinic will answer clearly. A weak clinic will deflect, rush you, or offer to answer when you arrive — at which point flights are already booked.

The right time to ask is before the deposit, not after the confirmation email.

Questions specific to Picasso

If you are researching Picasso, you can request a written GBP quote at /free-quote/. The coordinator team will send an itemised estimate based on your photos and OPG. You can then ask any of the clinical questions above directly.

Read is it safe? and pricing alongside this checklist.

Request a free GBP quote when you are ready to compare properly.