Up to 23k Brits travel abroad for dental treatment

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New figures show that, last year, up to 23,000 Britons travelled abroad for dental treatment - almost four times more than a decade ago.

The Sunday Express reports that most patients travelled to Eastern Europe, especially Hungary, for both essential and cosmetic work which can cost up to 70 per cent less than at home.

Figures from the patient guide Treatment Abroad show that dental work now accounts for a third of all UK health tourism.

Janos Geller, director of Dentist4UK, which organises health tourist trips to Hungary, said: "Many dental clinics in Budapest have the latest state-of-the-art equipment which most UK centres still do not have.

"We have seen a surge in patients coming to us for dental care and what they pay is much cheaper even with the added cost of flights and accommodation."

A government inquiry into why British dental charges, both NHS and private, are among the highest in Europe, has recently been launched.

As a result of these charges, 40 per cent of Britons can't afford to visit the dentist - which explains the dramatic rise in health tourism.

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