Text by Alison Hope

Finding the most suitable clinic for your dental treatment in Poland really is a matter of personal preference, though thankfully there is a solution for everyone: Some patients may feel overwhelmed at the thought of being in country with an unfamiliar language, and like to rely on a single point of contact to co-ordinate every aspect for them, from collecting them at the airport to arranging sightseeing trips and making sure that they have access to home comforts during their stay in Poland. Many dental clinics in Poland have therefore teamed up with travel agents and tour operators to provide complete packages – complete with sightseeing tours and an English speaking representative on call 24 hours a day.
More independently minded patients can search from hundreds of clinics that are promoting their services on the internet, as many clinics in Poland make their website available in other languages such as English and German, and show pictures of the clinic as well as providing a detailed biography of their dental surgeons. With English more widely spoken in Poland than ever before, getting in contact with a clinic directly – either by e-mail or telephone – should not prove to be too daunting. And thanks to a myriad of travel related websites and discussion forums, selecting accommodation and booking flights can be a fairly straightforward task.

Once you’ve decided whether to go for a package or make your own arrangements, the next thing to consider is your destination. Poland is a large country - 320, 000 square kilometres to be exact, and there are now direct flights to pretty much every major city from airports around the United Kingdom. The most obvious way to decide upon where to have your treatment would be to look at the destinations available from your local airport – don’t worry too much if you can barely pronounce them!

Everyone has heard of Warsaw, the majestic capital city, and Krakow‘s historical sites and lively night life have always attracted a steady stream of visitors from all over Europe, however there are lots of other great cities to explore in Poland, so there is no need to worry about travelling to a city that you have never heard of. Most towns and cities have a regional tourist office, which will be happy to provide you with information on things to see and do during your stay, as well as provide you with maps and details of hotels and self-catering apartments.

The next step is selecting a clinic. If you have access to the internet, it is worth setting aside a couple of hours comparing different clinics, and what they have to offer. If you don’t have access to the internet at home, it is really worth seeing if you can get an internet connection at your local internet cafe or library and enlisting a friend or family member to help you navigate your way around the options available. Does a clinic’s website provide you with the information that you need? Is it easy to find out about the dentist’s qualifications and experience? A good clinic will be upfront about the capabilities of its professionals. Be wary of a clinic that places a greater emphasis on the sight-seeing excursions that can be arranged for you over and above the skill and expertise of the surgeons.

Another great piece of advice is not to make any decisions based on price alone. Sometimes it is worth spending a little bit extra to see a more experienced surgeon, or investing more in certain brands of dental implant. This is quite an important point, as many dental clinics work with several brands of dental products, and the price and warranty will almost certainly vary depending on the materials used. The dental surgeon may have a specific reason for using a particular brand. Cast a cynical eye over any promotional offers that sound too good to be true, and remember that if you are having dental implants, you should also consider the cost of the crown.

To really test a clinic and find out if it lives up to the claims that it makes on its website, you need to get in contact: Draw up a short-list of several clinics and also make a note of any specific questions that you would like to ask. There are some clinics in Poland that are trying to attract patients from the United Kingdom, yet they let themselves down by employing a receptionist who does not speak English – there are many instances of them hanging up on potential patients, even when the dental surgeon may speak fluent English. Don’t take this personally... simply cross them off your list and move on - there are plenty more clinics in Poland that will take your enquiry seriously. You can also e-mail your enquiries, and again you can spot an efficient clinic by its response – concise, polite and timely.

Before you make any commitment, make sure that you have a telephone conversation with the dental surgeon who will be carrying out your treatment. How well does he or she speak English? Does he or she take the time to discuss your treatment with you, and do they give you the impression that they are sympathetic to your needs.

As you can imagine, it is impossible for a dental surgeon to offer a diagnosis and provide you with an accurate quotation based on a telephone conversation or an exchange of e-mails – even if you think that you need an implant or two. In most cases, you will be asked to provide a panoramic x-ray, (otherwise known as an OPG) from your local dental clinic. This will enable the dental surgeon to make a detailed assessment of the treatment to be carried out, and also provide you with an accurate quotation. Don’t worry if you feel awkward about asking your regular dentist for an x-ray, there are several clinics in central London which will provide this for you for under £80.

Once you’ve got the dental treatment arranged, and are satisfied with responses from your chosen clinic, the next step is to consider the travel arrangements. Arranging this part of your trip is pretty much straightforward, whether you decide to opt for a package offered by your clinic, or decide to make your own arrangements. An important difference between a trip to Poland for dental treatment and a regular city break is the travel insurance. Few insurance policies will provide cover in instances where a patient is travelling for the purpose of receiving dental or medical treatment – even if your claim is travel related, rather than related to the procedure. This means that you may not be covered in the event of your flight being delayed or if your bags are stolen. It is important to shop around to find the right policy, and of course pay careful attention to the small print. If in any doubt, always refer to your insurance provider. Your clinic or travel co-ordinator may advise you that the travel aspect of your trip can be covered by a standard policy – but in many cases they would be wrong.

Don’t forget that you won’t be spending your entire trip in the dentist’s chair: Whichever destination you select, you will have a new city to explore. While you might not feel like overstretching yourself with an ambitious schedule of sightseeing and shopping, you should at least make a point of getting out and exploring your new surroundings. Patients who have opted to arrange their treatment as part of a package can choose from a range of activities and excursions co-ordinated by their clinic or facilitator. Alternatively, the Polish National Tourist Office is an excellent source of ideas and inspiration for things to see and do while in Poland. Following your dental treatment, you might not feel like eating anything other than soup – but rest assured, Poland is home to some of the world’s tastiest soups!

With careful planning, arranging dental treatment in Poland can be stress free. Well, about as stress free as a trip to the dentist can be. Whether you take advantage of a package deal that includes flights, accommodation, airport transfers and sightseeing trips, or whether you prefer to take a more independent approach, as long are you are thorough in researching your options, you could find yourself in the hands of some of Europe’s most skilled dental surgeons, and saving money at the same time. Now, isn’t that something to smile about?

The Clinic’s Perspective: HAHS Dental Clinic, Szczecin

Marcin Gaborski from HAHS Dental Clinic in Szczecin, talks to Discover Poland about how his clinic welcomes patients from Northern and Western Europe.

HAHS clinic has been receiving patients from outside Poland for some time. Can you please tell me exactly how long you have been receiving these patients, and where they are coming from.

"HAHS clinic enjoys great popularity among patients from all over Europe, from Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Ireland and Great Britain. For over 5 years they have been travelling to seek the treatment at our clinic. Foreign patients constitute nearly half of our patients."

What is the main motivation for patients to travel to Poland for dental treatment at your clinic?

"Foreign patients recognise and appreciate the comprehensive care, comfort and high quality of our treatment. Our patients from the United Kingdom often stress that the quality of treatment is even higher than at their local dental clinic. Although at the beginning some may feel uncertain, very quickly patients start to realise that their choice to seek the treatment in our clinic was right: high standard of care for much lower prices. HAHS Clinic specialises in implantology. Every year, several hundred implants are fitted at our clinic!"

Hungary is also a popular destination for dental treatment, and many Hungarian clinics are promoting themselves in the United Kingdom. What advantages do Polish clinics have over clinics in Hungary?

"Standards in Poland are very high. Private dental clinics in Poland are equipped with the latest technologies. The same branded materials that are used in Germany or the United Kingdom are also widely used in Poland. All dental professionals are subject to ongoing training and development. At our clinic, the medical staff consists entirely of leading professionals who are constantly improving their skills both in their own country and abroad. The clinic also conducts training programs for dentists."

What special provisions have you had to make for patients from outside
of Poland? For instance, have you had to extend your opening hours or ensure that your reception staff can greet the patients in several languages?

"HAHS Clinic is open 6 days a week. The dentists speak English or German. In addition to this, patients are assigned an assistant fluent in both languages, who assist foreign patients during their visits to the clinic."

What arrangements do you have in place for aftercare? Sometimes infections or broken crowns are unavoidable. Would a patient have to return to Szczecin for follow up treatment?

"We offer a guarantee on all the services provided at our dental clinic. Any necessary corrective or follow-up work is free of charge. To understand the problem, we need to see the patient. In our clinic we have modern equipment, own prosthetic laboratory and experienced stuff, so we can immediately apply proper corrective or follow up treatment. Low-cost airlines connect European countries with Szczecin or even Berlin, which is very close. This makes travel affordable and easy. "

In what way do you help your patients arrange their travel to Szczecin? Do you offer packages or work with tour operators?

"At our clinic, we do not offer an all-inclusive package. Instead, we guide our patients from the very beginning. On our website, they can find information on how to travel to Szczecin, how much it costs and also what kind of accommodation is available. We also help to book a hotel room and arrange a bus transfer to and from the airport.

Planning treatment at our clinic is always preceded by precise diagnostics performed by our dentists. A personal examination and careful analysis of x-ray pictures are necessary to establish a successful treatment plan. Within about one hour after a consultation we present a complete treatment plan based on the examination, evaluation and diagnosis. To save patients’ time and travel expenses, we are able to start their treatment soon after a consultation."
 

The Patients’ Perspective: Castle Hill Dental Clinic, Szczecin

There are many benefits of travelling to Poland for dental treatment, but what is the experience like for the patients? To find out, Alison Hope travelled to Szczecin, to meet Dr Tomasz Cegielski of Castle Hill Clinic.

“Hi, how are you? Can I get you something to drink? A cup of tea, or a coffee perhaps?” This is the welcome that I receive from Ewa, the receptionist at Castle Hill Clinic in Szczecin. The reception area is bright and welcoming, with walls covered in framed certificates and diplomas. Ewa continues to chat in perfect English, eager to find out which part of London I come from, and asking whether this is my first time in Poland.

Dr Cegielski appears. He’s a warm and friendly chap, and I could easily imagine him putting even the most nervous of dental patients at ease. He gives me a tour of the clinic, carefully pointing out that the clinic has been designed so that the reception area is as relaxing as possible, and how this becomes a more clinical environment as soon as we step into the treatment rooms. Rather than have a cup of tea in the clinic, Dr Cegielski suggests that we go to a nearby café, which is in a sunny spot near to the harbour. He points out that this place is popular with the husbands and wives of his patients.

It goes without saying that being able to offer an outstanding standard of dental treatment, including a thorough initial consultation and after-care plan, is essential for any clinic that is treating patients from countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia, however being able to understand the expectations and specific needs of foreign patients is something that is also very important to Dr Cegielski and his staff. His team of dental surgeons, nurses and receptionists understands that a patient may be anxious about their dental treatment as well as being nervous about being in an unfamiliar country. He is keen to put his patients at ease by making sure that his patients feel comfortable with every aspect of their treatment and also their travel arrangements before they set off for Szczecin. After all, a delighted patient will almost certainly return home and recommend the clinic to friends and family.

One such patient is Kevin from London, who had two implants and two crowns fitted at Castle Hill Clinic. He talks enthusiastically about his treatment, and also how he and his wife explored Szczecin and the surrounding area, even spending time at a spa resort on the Baltic coast in between appointments. Kevin also saved at least two thousand pounds by having his treatment in Poland.

I also speak to Cecilia, from Buckinghamshire, another patient at Castle Hill Clinic. She tells how she decided to travel to Poland after finding the cost of her dental treatment prohibitively expensive in the United Kingdom. She travelled to Szczecin for an initial visit to Castle Hill clinic, where she met the dental surgeon who would be carrying out her treatment. Impressed by the clinic and its staff, she decided to return there for her treatment. One aspect that Cecilia liked about having her treatment in Poland was the fact that she could be on her own to relax, and get though a couple of books and watch television in her hotel room. Cecilia adds that she wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Castle Hill clinic to friends or family

A trip to the dentists isn’t an experience that people usually talk enthusiastically about, however Kevin and Cecilia’s stories are proof that by travelling to Poland, patients really do save money and enjoy a relaxing break at the same time.

 

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