Teeth bleaching or whitening remains one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures in Australia but as the cost of dentistry remains high, many Australians are turning to foreign shores to get their teeth whitened. One of the most popular destinations for cosmetic whitening is Bali.
Teeth whitening in Bali can be up to 60% less than the equivalent treatment back home and being just a short 4-hour flight away it’s a mecca for travellers looking to combine a cheap cosmetic dental treatment like teeth whitening with a tropical island getaway.
However, before you book yourself on the next available flight, there are considerations that you should take into account before you go – considerations that might not necessarily spring to mind straight away.
Differing levels of expectation
While most dentists in Bali are highly trained and highly experienced, they aren’t usually the ones offering bargain-basement teeth whitening treatment to bargain conscious travellers. That said, the governing bodies in Indonesia have differing degrees of regulation and standardisation, whereas the Australian Dental Association and the Dental Board of Australia strictly regulate the materials, hygiene, facilities, and safety protocols used in cosmetic teeth whitening treatment to make it safer for every patient.
Because Bali doesn’t have such strict regulations, you could just as easily receive cosmetic teeth whitening from a back street beauty clinic in Bali just as you could from a reputable dentist. The problem with this approach is the lack of control.
Typically, effective and proven teeth whitening products such as Phillips Zoom use higher concentrations of bleaching agent. As a result, the process by law in Australia requires procedural supervision by a dental professional. On the contrary, this might not always be the case in Bali.
Some beauty clinics or bargain-basement dental clinics in Bali may also use teeth whitening products which are not thoroughly tested. As such, it is possible that any bleaching agents used could damage the teeth enamel or cause excessive tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.
As a tip – if you are considering teeth whitening in Bali, it pays to go to a reputable dental clinic with good reviews rather than a beauty clinic.
Find out the brand of teeth whitening treatment they use and if it isn’t a well-known universal brand then you should avoid it.
Non-coverage by insurance plans
Cost is undoubtedly one of the major factors that push people towards considering teeth whitening treatment in Bali. But it’s worth remembering that most insurance plans will not cover international procedures. So in addition to your flights, accommodation, and food, you will also need to pay for your teeth whitening treatment.
The other point to remember is that while you may undergo teeth whitening procedures with no problems at all and be delighted with the results, what happens if this isn’t the case?
Dentists here in Australia will ensure that you remain a good candidate for teeth whitening before any treatment takes place. This includes checking your medical history and accessing your oral health. Only when everything checks out, will they proceed with the treatment.
Unfortunately, there might not be the same requirement for a dental professional in Bali to carry out the same due diligence before assisting with your teeth whitening treatment.
So, what happens if you experience damaged dental enamel, gum irritation, or extreme tooth sensitivity?
Chances are that you won’t be covered for compensation and it can be difficult or impossible to seek any type of recourse or recompense from your clinician in Bali.
Ultimately you will be left having to seek out further treatment to rectify the problem caused to your teeth and gums, leaving you well and truly out of pocket.
Alternatively, when you undergo cosmetic teeth whitening here in Australia and things do go wrong, then it’s far easier to seek recourse.
Affordable teeth whitening at Beyond Infinity Dental
At Beyond Infinity Dental, we understand that all patients deserve the chance to experience a beautiful white smile. For this reason, if you prefer not to take the risk of undergoing teeth whitening in Bali, we aim to make all treatments including teeth whitening, affordable.
In addition to offering competitive pricing and a number of ways to pay, patients can also utilise the National Dental Plan. This involves spreading the cost of cosmetic teeth whitening over a number of months. These payments are interest-free and make the procedure more affordable.
In addition, we also accept all valid insurances so it’s worth checking out your ‘extras’ cover to see whether cosmetic teeth whitening is covered.
Final thoughts
While getting teeth whitening in Bali may at first seem like a huge cost saving there are a number of factors or risks that you need to consider. Factors that you don’t have to worry about when you have teeth whitening done at your local dentist back in Australia.
For this reason, if you are considering getting whiter teeth abroad, then it’s worth doing your due diligence, weighing up the pros and cons, and making a decision that isn’t based purely on cost.
Alternatively, if you do feel that the cost-saving just isn’t a good reason to travel abroad for cosmetic dental whitening, then talk to the team at Beyond Infinity Dental. We can help you to achieve a professional and risk-free winning smile at an affordable rate.
Call Beyond Infinity Dental on (02) 8806 3799 and talk to our experienced team about our professional chair-side and take-home teeth whitening procedures today.
