Does SmileCare pay for every flight cost if I have a warranty issue?

No. Return-flight support is not automatic. It applies when Picasso clinically determines that a warranty issue requires remedial treatment in Vietnam, approves the claim in writing, and that approval specifically includes travel support under the policy terms in your handover pack. Not every issue triggers a return flight — many concerns can be resolved remotely or by an Australian dentist with Picasso's guidance.

Do I book my own flights?

Only after you have written approval from Picasso. Booking flights before approval risks covering the cost yourself. The sequence is: report the issue, wait for remote review, receive written approval, then book. Keep all receipts from the moment you receive approval.

Can I claim travel costs before Picasso approves the warranty visit?

No. Pre-approval is a strict requirement. Unauthorised travel expenses are not covered under the policy.

How long does the approval process take?

Remote clinical review typically happens within 24–72 hours of a complete submission — photos, symptoms, and any Australian dentist notes. Complex cases involving implants or full-arch prosthetics may take longer.

Is reimbursement paid in AUD?

Australian patients should plan financially in AUD. Picasso confirms the reimbursement method, currency, and amount in writing as part of the approval.

What documentation do I need to keep?

Keep your treatment summary, invoice, implant brand card, all warranty documents, any X-rays or CBCT files, and the written approval from Picasso once issued. Also keep flight receipts and boarding passes from the date of travel.

Does going to an Australian dentist first void my warranty?

Emergency stabilisation — pain relief, temporary splinting, antibiotics — does not void the warranty process. However, elective repair, replacement, or permanent alteration by another dentist without prior Picasso approval can complicate or void the claim.

What if I cannot fly back to Vietnam for the warranty visit?

If travel is not feasible, discuss options with your coordinator. In some cases Picasso can arrange remote-supervised repair with an Australian dentist, provide written instructions for local management, or agree an alternative resolution.

Warranty

Warranty return-flight support — SmileCare Global Warranty

How Picasso Dental Clinic's SmileCare return-flight support works for Australian patients requiring approved warranty treatment in Vietnam — eligibility, approval process, documentation, and reimbursement.

Approved SmileCare warranty claims can include return-flight support for remedial treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic. Reimbursement requires written pre-approval from Picasso before flights are booked, is governed by the policy terms in your treatment handover pack, and does not apply automatically to every issue reported after treatment.

This page explains how return-flight support works in practice for Australian patients, what triggers it, and what you need to do from the moment you notice a problem to the point of booking a return flight to Vietnam.

Read the warranty hub first if you want an overview of warranty periods, exclusions, and the full claims process.

What return-flight support is

SmileCare’s return-flight support is a provision within the warranty policy that can cover the cost of a return flight to Vietnam when Picasso clinically approves a warranty visit.

It is not a blanket travel insurance product. It is a specific provision that applies to a specific set of circumstances.

It exists because Picasso recognises that remedial dental treatment cannot always be completed remotely. Some issues — a failed osseointegration, a prosthetic fracture requiring laboratory remake, or a significant occlusal problem — can only be assessed and resolved in the clinic. For those cases, the cost of returning to Vietnam is a legitimate part of the warranty claim.

What return-flight support is not

A free flight for any concern you report
Compensation for the inconvenience of having dental treatment overseas
Cover for travel arranged before Picasso approval
Cover for upgraded airfares, companion travel, accommodation, or travel insurance
Unlimited use across the full warranty term
Applicable to treatments performed at another clinic

Who is eligible

Eligibility depends on:

The issue is covered under the warranty (material, workmanship, or prosthetic — not trauma, grinding without a guard, poor hygiene, or smoking)
Picasso has conducted a remote clinical review
Picasso has issued written approval for the warranty visit specifically including flight support
You have not had the work permanently altered by another dentist without prior approval (except emergency stabilisation)
Your case is within the applicable warranty period

How to open a claim — step by step

Step 1: Document the issue

Take clear photos in good indoor light. If a prosthetic moves, take a short video. Note when you first noticed the problem, pain level, bite changes, and whether any trauma occurred.

Step 2: Contact your Picasso coordinator

Send to [email protected] or WhatsApp +84 989 067 888:

Your full name
Treatment date and Picasso branch
Booking or patient ID
Tooth number or prosthetic type
Photos and/or video
Description of symptoms
Any notes or X-rays from your Australian dentist

Step 3: Wait for remote review

Unless you have a clinical emergency, wait for Picasso’s response before booking anything or authorising local repair. Remote review typically takes 24–72 hours with a complete submission.

Step 4: Receive written determination

Picasso advises one of:

Remote resolution: managed in Australia with Picasso’s written guidance, or excluded from warranty
Local repair authorised: Australian dentist can complete specific remedial work with Picasso’s written instructions
Return visit required: must be assessed and treated at a Picasso branch. If return-flight support applies, this is stated explicitly in writing

Step 5: Book travel only after written approval

Book the cheapest available economy fare on a direct or one-stop route from your Australian city to Vietnam. Keep all receipts from the point of approval.

Step 6: Treatment, documentation, and reimbursement

Attend the approved appointment. Picasso provides updated warranty documentation and aftercare. Reimbursement of the return flight is processed according to the written schedule in your handover pack.

Documents to keep

Document	Why it matters
Treatment summary	Establishes what was done and by whom
AUD invoice	Required for reimbursement and insurance claims
Implant brand card	Identifies the system for both warranty and your Australian dentist
Warranty documents	Specifies terms, periods, and exclusions
OPG or CBCT copies	Baseline imaging for comparison if issues arise
Aftercare instructions	Demonstrates patient compliance

Once a claim opens, also keep all WhatsApp messages and emails with Picasso, photos and videos submitted for review, written approvals, flight receipts and boarding passes, and Australian dentist notes or X-rays.

Budget planning in AUD

Even with return-flight support, budget a personal gap. Airline prices fluctuate.

Item	Planning note
Return economy airfare (Sydney–HCMC direct)	AUD 700–1,400 depending on season
Return economy airfare (Sydney–Hanoi, one stop)	AUD 800–1,600
Accommodation	Plan 3–7 days depending on treatment complexity
Personal gap	Budget AUD 200–400 gap between policy reimbursement and actual cost

Why written approval matters

Written approval before travel protects you in two ways:

You are not left disputing whether the flight cost is covered after you return
Picasso is not exposed to fraudulent or unreasonable claims

If a clinic offers unconditional flight guarantees with no written process, ask to see the specific policy terms. A clear, written process with realistic limits is more credible than an unlimited verbal promise.

Request a free AUD quote and ask for the warranty terms that apply to your treatment before you book.