Goodtoothfairy’s Weblog

Earlier this year a neighbour asked me whether she could have my car. “I have to take my in-laws to the airport and mine has a flat battery” she said. “Where are your in-laws going?” “Hungary.” As it was in the middle of March I wondered “Isn’t it a bit cold for a swim in Lake Balaton?” She paused. “No, they are going to have their teeth done. It’s way too costly over here. You can cut your bill almost by half, if you have your teeth fixed in Hungary.” “Don’t you think it’s a bit cheeky to ask me for a car to take your relatives to another dentist because I am too expensive?” She gulped. “Neither your father-in-law, your mother-in-law nor you yourself have ever had an appointment at my office. None of you has ever asked for a quote.” “Yes, but you here it all over the place that dentist’s take overcharged prices and that you only get a fair deal in Eastern Europe. Okay, you made me feel miserable but we should be on our way to the airport for half an hour. So can I have your car please!” I agreed on the condition that I get to see the bill.

Several months have past since this little episode and I had it almost forgotten. Last Saturday however, my neighbour showed up with the bill for the treatment of her mother in law. The total cost of treatment were 2060,00 € or £ 1629,73 at the current rate of exchange. For this she received in

Hungary

1. Panoramic X-ray
   30, 00 €/£ 23.75
2. All-ceramic crown with post and core on tooth 36
   335.00 €/£ 265.19
3. Composite restorations on teeth 15,16,17,25,26,27,46
   770.00 €/£ 609.54
4. In-office Bleaching
   400.00 €/£ 316.65
5. Professional Teeth Clean-up, Removal of Dental Plaque/Calculus
   175.00 €/£ 138.53
6. General Anaesthesia
   350.00 €/£ 277.07

Total 2060.00 €/£ 1630.73

Does that sound like a bargain? To me it does not. I admit, I cannot give away an all-ceramic crown (zirconium dioxide) for 335.00 € or £ 265.16. Of course, I could, if I compromised on the quality of dental laboratory work. But I certainly will not do that. Yet, my maximum charge for a composite restoration is 103.65 € or £ 82.00, if it is a small one only 69.52 € or £ 55.00. It is also very rare that all of a person’s 32 teeth are bleached. Even if this were to happen, my charges would not come close to the Hungarian 400 €. An in-office bleaching at my surgery costs 242.70 €, the equivalent of £ 192.00. This would have been my bill in

Germany

1. Panoramic X-ray
   30.00 €/£ 23.75
2. All-ceramic crown (zirconium dioxide) with post and core on tooth 36
   599.00 €/£ 474.18
3. Composite restorations on teeth 15,16,17,25,26,27,46
   725.10 €/£ 574.00
4. In-office Bleaching
   242.54 €/£ 192.00
5. Professional Teeth Clean-up, Removal of Dental Plaque/Calculus
   90.00 €/£ 71.25
6. General Anaesthesia
   350.00 €/£ 277.07

Total 2036.64/£ 1612.25

The price difference is slight. Yet, my calculation is based on the official scale of charges and it proves you need not travel behind the former Iron Curtain to have your teeth done, relaxed and at a fair price. It can be done in Germany.