Tim and Sophie (Sheffield, UK)
As competitive ballroom dancers our appearance really matters to us. But as university students the cost of private cosmetic dentistry in the UK was way beyond our means. Fortunately Appearance Matters were able to put together a package of travel, accommodation and dentistry in Poland that our parents could afford. Having only previously experienced NHS dentistry we were amazed and delighted by the quality of our Polish dentistry. We were a bit nervous at not speaking the language but the dentists all spoke English and we were brilliantly looked after whilst in Warsaw. Our thanks to Marek and colleagues for an excellent trip and for our superb new smiles.

Philip (Greater Manchester, UK)
Since I was visiting Warsaw on business, I decided to take advantage of the free consultation and of Appearance Matters’ excellent travel services. I was accompanied to the dental clinic where I was thoroughly assessed (including having various x-rays taken) and advised that my teeth were functionally sound but their appearance left something to be desired! I was impressed by the professional and ethical approach of the dentist; he did not pressure me but clearly laid out my treatment options. In fact he refused to undertake my requested tooth whitening because it would adversely highlight my old front crown. Next time I visit Warsaw I intend to have a new crown, the tooth whitening and some other amalgam fillings replaced by white ones via Appearance Matters.

Tony

Why did I choose Poland for my dental treatment?

From the diary and notes of Tony Bradbury - one of our most recent clients.

Dentist prices in Poland are extremely good value and patients from the UK are attracted not only by the low prices, but also by the high standard of the dental surgeries there, which use modern technologies as well as top-quality materials for procedures.

Dentists in Poland undergo demanding training and Britons travelling to the country for treatment find themselves in very safe hands.

I think that if you take an average dentist from the UK and one from Poland, the Polish dentist will be better skilled and better trained. Poland's dentists are among the best in the world and they have a very good reputation with British visitors.

Despite the high quality level of dentistry, prices are remarkably low. Savings of at least 50 per cent can be made compared with UK private dentistry prices. Dental implants for example, are particularly good value. Implants that can cost from £2,000 to £2,500 in Britain are available in Polish clinics from as little as £400. A porcelain crown costs about £100 in Warsaw, but would cost around five times as much in this country.

Comparisons of prices for types of dentistry are shown here. It's easy to see which set comes out on top when you find that not only your dental treatment but a complete holiday - including typical flights and hotel bills for the expected length of stay - is covered for less than the cost of a visit to your local dentist in the UK.

My own money-saving trip to Warsaw began because of my friend Jamie. He was in desperate need of treatment because of abscesses. His own dentist had turned private, so Jamie looked further afield. After reading an article in a local newspaper about patients saving money by visiting clinics in Poland, he got in touch with Appearance Matters and decided to get his smile repaired in Warsaw. He used a low cost airline, got two implants and crowns, four root canal treatments, had his teeth whitened - and saved a fortune.

He told me it was definitely the right decision. "It cost me half the price I would pay in Britain", he said. "But what’s even more important, the whole treatment was really top quality. I was impressed with the skills of the Polish dentist and his modern practice and equipment. Now, I have nice healthy teeth, plus - when you add it up - I got to see beautiful and dynamic Warsaw, free of charge!".

That was enough for me. But I checked around a little more. I didn't know much about any of the countries that used to be on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall.

I soon learned that Poland is a friendly place and its citizens have a natural affinity with people from the UK. English is widely spoken in urban centres and most tourist facilities and all the dental clinics have a number of staff who speak English fluently. Poland is within easy reach these days and budget airlines offer return trips from as little as £30.

Warsaw is a great place to relax. Before or after their dentistry treatment, visitors can enjoy the city's famous Old Town with its Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque buildings, watch the world go by in the Market Square cafés during daytime strolls, or explore the amazing array of cultural events and night clubbing entertainment that transforms the Warsaw scene every evening.

Jamie put me in touch with Appearance Matters, the agency that handled everything for him.

I needed root canal work, a filling or two - and I wanted to get my old dark-coloured fillings from years ago replaced with modern 'invisible' fillings that you really can't see at all.

The cost in the UK was going to be £1,825

Appearance Matters quoted £478 for everything - passing on a 10 per cent discount they negotiated for me with the dentist they recommended after reviewing the list of work that I needed doing.

Then there was my bonus - a full holiday break in a marvellous city with plenty of time to explore the sights and enjoy myself after the three 2-hour appointments booked for me at the dental clinic.

Appearance Matters really know their stuff when it comes to arranging the details of the trip - from the best air fares to the best hotels - and they negotiate the best discounts for you at the same time as putting together a full travel package.

My return air fare was £82, B & B accommodation for 5 days was £250. Altogether, I would be £1,000 better off with the Appearance Matters package than staying at home and getting my treatment from a dentist in the UK. That left me with plenty of scope to reward myself with a handsome chunk of spending money for my holiday entertainment budget and a little bargain hunting in some of Warsaw's unique shopping venues.

The trip itself went just as smoothly as Appearance Matters promised.

My two-star hotel was perfectly located - only a ten minute walk to the city centre and the clinic.

My photographs tell the rest of the story.

Ian (Bamford, Lancashire, UK)
Because I had been advised that I needed extensive dental treatment I decided to search the internet for affordable but quality dentistry abroad. When I found Appearance Matters’s website and discovered the company is led by a well-respected local GP I contacted them. Phil soon convinced me that a dental tourism visit to Warsaw would suit my needs and made the necessary arrangements.

I arrived at the ultra-modern Terminal 2 at Warsaw Airport. Within 30 minutes Marek had me settled into my hotel where he confirmed the details of both my dental treatment and my sight-seeing which Phil had pre-organised with him. Marek also kept in regular contact with me, accompanying me when requested, which was re-assuring even though I encountered no major problems and found taxis easy to use.

Dentistry
The dental treatment was all that was promised (and more!). The dental clinic is equipped with modern state-of-the-art equipment and spotlessly clean. The dentist spoken excellent English – his explanations and instructions were clear and concise, as was his priced treatment plan.

I underwent the comprehensive free consultation (including a pan-oral x-ray) which identified a major tooth problem. I readily agreed to treatment which he immediately provided (incidentally the cost was less than the NHS equivalent). I have already arranged to return in the New Year for the completion of my other treatment (and will be taking my wife for a holiday!).

Sight -seeing
I had a totally misconceived idea of Warsaw based on out-dated images of communist era European cities. Warsaw is safe, clean and modern but with a fascinating history and many interesting places to visit. Its people seemed generally well-dressed and affluent. The majority of people were English speaking (I had no problems communicating in shops, restaurants and bars, and in taxis), very helpful and proud to show off their country and city. The prices of accommodation and entertainment are significantly lower than in the UK.

Marek arranged for me to go on the half-day sight-seeing coach tour led by a fluent English-speaking guide (well worth it!), explore the historic Old Town, and spend half-a-day shopping in the Arkadia Shopping Complex (Warsaw’s equivalent of Manchester’s Trafford Centre and again well worth a visit!). Most goods are keenly priced and I didn’t find any difficulty using the local currency.

Any problems?
Not really except that I returned from the Etiuda Terminal at Warsaw Airport which, although currently being up-graded, is purely functional and very busy. Although warned by Marek to expect queuing, in future I’ll know to allow more time to check-in!