Find a Dentist and Save Money

People in the UK and Ireland are becoming increasingly aware of the problems of finding a dentist and obtaining dentistry, either privately or on the NHS. Even the Government's own figures show that in the 12 months since the new NHS dental contract was implemented in the UK, more than 47,000 patients no longer have access to NHS dentistry and that there are 500 less NHS dentists. See latest news stories section on the left of the page for more details.

It's not easy to find a dentist, especially at reasonable cost. The problem of how to find a dentist in the UK exists in all major towns and cities (London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, etc.) and also in the shire counties. Who can find a dentist they can afford these days in Kent, Essex, Hampshire, or Surrey, let alone Derbyshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire or Tyne & Wear? All these places report major difficulties with the acceptance of patients for dental treatment. The picture in Scotland and Wales is similar. Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cardiff, as well as Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, Fife, Gwynedd and Gwent are noted "blind spots" for anyone hoping to find a dentist there. In Ireland, similar problems in finding a dentist are common in Belfast and Dublin. In fact, for many people, to find a dentist and get reasonably priced NHS dentistry is no longer a realistic proposition. Expensive private dentistry is the only option they can find. And all this comes at a time when people are putting greater emphasis on their appearance and often looking for the latest sophisticated cosmetic dental techniques.

If you have been searching the Internet to find a dentist, you're not alone. It emphasises how real this problem has become. In the real world, even when people can find a private dentist willing to provide dental treatment, the costs are often prohibitive. What people need to find is a dentist offering a much less expensive solution but still very high quality cosmetic dentistry and dental treatment.

How do you find a dentist? Is there a solution? Yes there is! You may have been seeking dentistry in the UK but have you ever considered the benefits of dentistry abroad? Compare the costs of treatment by UK private dentistry with a holiday-included trip to Europe and you will be amazed at what a dental tourism visit to Warsaw in Poland can offer. See our Price Guide page for examples of the savings you could make.

Dental Tourism
Health tourism (including people seeking dentistry abroad) has risen dramatically in the last few years, with patients opting to combine dental treatment with a city break or holiday.

For several years UK and Irish patients have been travelling to Europe for cosmetic dentistry, especially to Budapest in Hungary and Prague in the Czech Republic attracted by the cheap dentistry available in Budapest and Prague from Hungarian and Czech dentists. In fact Budapest has styled itself "The Dental Capital of Europe" and Budapest dentists rightly enjoy a good reputation for cheap cosmetic dentistry.

Other patients have gone even further a field; to Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and even to India to find a cosmetic dentist offering cheap private dentistry.

However an increasing number of UK and Irish patients are now choosing to emulate their Scandinavian and German counterparts and go to Poland for dental procedures and surgery. Tempted not only by the more reasonable prices of treatment available - saving up to 66f UK and Ireland costs for similar treatments - but also by the modern and hygienic surgeries, the state-of-the-art equipment, modern technologies and premium quality materials on offer in this rapidly changing country, not to mention the high standards of Polish dentistry and highly-qualified and skilled dentists, who rank with the best in Europe. One-third of the new dentists who joined the NHS in 2006/07 were Polish trained!

Appearance Matters has chosen several of the best Polish dental clinics in the capital city of Warsaw, each of which provides fully-trained and experienced English speaking staff, comfortable and high-tech surgeries and a full range of the most modern dental procedures and materials. Coupled with what this vibrant city has to offer by means of tourist attractions and nightlife, this makes for a highly-attractive treatment option. See our Warsaw page for more details.

All of our Chosen Clinics employ staff who have a high level of spoken English and provide written advice to all patients where necessary. In addition, travel and accommodation prices are more economical than ever, allowing patients to make day trips for consultations and/or minor treatments and return home the same day.

Some of the best savings to be made are on dental implants which in Poland can cost around one-third of UK or Irish prices. See our Price Guide page for full details of the cost savings you can make with Appearance Matters.

Polish Dentists: Accreditation and Qualifications
Becoming a dentist in Poland is no easy task. It involves arduous study for a period of six years at medical school, of which the final two years are working with real patients under the personal supervision of experienced dental surgeons. This enables young dentists to develop the necessary skills and experience.



After completing their training and in order to practise as a fully-qualified dentist, all new Polish dentists must register with the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists which monitors the professional standards of Polish physicians and dental practitioners. Polish dentists must also obtain a permit which allows them to practise; achieved by appearing in front of a professional commission. This permit must be renewed (revalidated) every five years to ensure that standards are maintained.

To achieve revalidation, all Polish dentists must undertake ongoing programme of compulsory professional development, with dentists required to gain a certain compulsory number of points each year by attending accredited postgraduate educational courses.

Many Polish dentists also specialise in specific areas of oral surgery, such as implantology, orthodontics and paediatric dentistry. Such specialisms are difficult to attain and they are amongst the most highly regarded of European dental qualifications. Knowing that you are in such highly qualified and safe hands offers peace of mind and an even wider smile at the end of it.

Appearance Matters will help you find a dentist and ensure the best choice for the particular dental treatment you need. Click here to register free for our complete service.