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How to tell your Australian dentist you are going abroad for dental work
Practical guidance for Australian patients on how to raise overseas dental treatment with their dentist, what to ask for before they travel, and how to maintain the Australian dentist relationship on return.
Australian patients should tell their dentist they are considering overseas dental work, ask for an OPG and recent X-rays to take abroad, request a pre-travel clinical note, and discuss post-treatment follow-up arrangements before they fly. Most Australian dentists will engage constructively even if they have reservations — and maintaining the relationship is important for your long-term dental care.
What to ask your Australian dentist before travelling
Request your records
You are entitled to your dental records under Australian Privacy Law. Ask for:
| Record | How to request | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|
| OPG X-ray (if taken in last 12 months) | Ask for digital copy — JPEG or TIFF | Picasso can assess before you arrive; may replace Day 1 OPG |
| CBCT (if taken for implant planning) | Ask for DICOM files on USB | Picasso can use this for pre-travel implant planning |
| Clinical notes | Written summary of existing restorations, root canals, extractions | Helps overseas team understand your full dental history |
| Implant records (if you have existing implants) | Brand, fixture model, placement date | Overseas team needs this if treating teeth adjacent to existing implants |
Your dentist may charge an administrative fee for record copying — typically AUD 30–80. This is reasonable.
Ask for a clinical summary letter
Ask your dentist to write a brief clinical note covering:
- Current dental status
- Any concerns they have about the proposed treatment
- Existing restorations relevant to the planned overseas work
- Any contraindications (bisphosphonate use, cardiac conditions, blood thinners)
This note travels with you to Picasso and is filed with your clinical records.
Discuss post-treatment follow-up
Before you leave, agree on:
- Which appointments you will need on return (e.g., a 6-month implant review OPG)
- Whether your Australian dentist is willing to provide follow-up for the overseas work
- What to do in case of an emergency after return (before you can get an appointment)
If your dentist is unwilling to provide any follow-up for overseas work, identify an alternative AHPRA-registered dentist who will — before you travel, not after.
How to raise the conversation
Most patients feel some awkwardness raising overseas dental treatment with their Australian dentist. A direct, matter-of-fact approach works best:
“I’ve been researching dental treatment in Vietnam — specifically Picasso Dental Clinic in Da Nang. The cost difference for implants is significant: AUD 1,415 there versus AUD 5,000–7,000 here. I’ve done my research and I’m planning to go. I wanted to ask for my records and discuss what follow-up you can offer when I return.”
This approach:
- Is honest about your decision (you are going, not asking for permission)
- Explains the cost rationale without being confrontational
- Focuses the conversation on practical next steps
- Preserves the relationship for post-treatment follow-up
What your Australian dentist may say — and how to respond
| Their concern | Honest response |
|---|---|
| “Overseas dental standards are lower” | “Picasso is a JCI-accredited hospital clinic using Osstem and Straumann implants — the same brands used in Australia.” |
| “You won’t have recourse if something goes wrong” | “Picasso provides a written SmileCare warranty and a 24-hour aftercare contact. I also have travel insurance with dental complication cover.” |
| “You should use Australian materials” | “The implant brands used at Picasso are globally manufactured — Osstem and Straumann are not ‘Australian’ either.” |
| “I can’t guarantee to treat you if something goes wrong” | “Under AHPRA guidelines, you are required to provide emergency care. I’m asking whether you can provide routine follow-up review appointments, not guaranteed warranty repair.” |
Be calm and factual. Most Australian dentists who raise concerns do so out of genuine professional caution — not self-interest. Their concerns deserve acknowledgement even if you have decided to proceed.
After you return — maintaining the relationship
When you return from Vietnam:
- Book a review appointment with your Australian dentist — bring your Picasso discharge summary, implant documentation, and X-rays
- Let your dentist incorporate the overseas records into your patient file
- Book your 6-month implant review (or veneer review) as your dentist recommends
- If your Australian dentist is supportive, acknowledge their professionalism — this relationship matters for your long-term care
Most AHPRA-registered dentists who initially expressed reservations about overseas treatment provide constructive follow-up once they see the clinical documentation and the quality of the restoration.