Travelling for dental work like dental implants in the Philippines is becoming more and more popular thanks to a combination of affordable prices, great service, and plentiful holiday options. With potential savings as high as 75% you can see the attraction. Dental costs in the UK, Australia, the US, and other countries are on the rise, so many people are choosing to get dental work overseas instead.
If you're considering visiting a dentist in the Philippines, no doubt you have a lot of questions about how to arrange your trip and what to expect. Especially if it's your first time travelling abroad for dental work, the process can seem quite daunting.
We have compiled this guide to help you with various aspects trip including:
- Where to go for your treatment
- How to choose the best dentist for your needs
- What treatments like dental implants cost in the Philippines
- Things to consider before you book
Towards the end you'll find a selection of reviews from former dental patients, sharing their experiences of their Philippines dental holiday. Armed with all this information, you should be able to make a more informed decision about what's right for you.
In This Article
- 1 Why travel to the Philippines for dental work?
- 2 How much are dental implants in the Philippines?
- 3 Where is the best place to get dental work in the Philippines?
- 4 What should you consider before you book a Philippines dental holiday?
- 5 Visiting a Dentist in the Philippines: Reviews from Real Patients
- 6 Alternative destinations for low-cost dental care
- 7 Conclusion
Why travel to the Philippines for dental work?
The Philippines may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of visiting the dentist, but there are many good reasons why it should be on your list of places to consider.
Located on the fringe of the North Pacific Ocean, just above the equator, its tropical climate helps the country attract over 6 million visitors annually. Some of these come specifically to get their teeth done, while others just take advantage of the chance to get cheap dental work while on holiday.
Common dental procedures
Generally speaking, the more expensive a dental procedure is in your home country, the more you stand to save by getting it done overseas. Therefore, people often visit a dentist in the Philippines for treatment like:
- Dental implants
- All-on-4 implants
- Dental crowns
- Root canal work
- Veneers
- Teeth whitening
- Bridges
- Dentures
If you need other work like fillings or extractions, it may not be cost-effective to travel overseas for this alone. However, if you're going to be there anyway for a holiday or other dental work you may as well take advantage of the cheaper prices.
Dental training and accreditation
Many Filipino dentists train overseas in the US or Europe before returning home to practice. But even for those who qualify in the Philippines, the education system is based on the US system.
Dentists must complete two years of preparatory training before beginning a four-year dentistry program. Those wishing to specialise in a particular field of dentistry undergo a further two years of training in that field.
In order to practice in the Philippines, dentists must register with the Philippine Dental Association (PDA). They also need a professional license issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), which regulates all professionals working in the country. Furthermore, the Department of Health of the Philippines monitors all dental clinics and hospitals.
Filipino dentists may also opt to register with recognised bodies from other countries, such as the American Dental Association (ADA).
English is an official language of the Philippines, in addition to Filipino, and as such is widely spoken by professionals. This is a big plus for many patients since clear communication plays an important part in their choice of dentist.
Standard of care
As with many dental tourism locations, it's quite normal to find that standards of care and service exceed what you're used to back home. From state-of-the-art equipment to free hotel pickups to next-day appointments, many clinics go out of their way to offer a flawless experience. After all, they rely heavily on good reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations to keep their business thriving.
However, be aware that not all dental clinics in the Philippines operate to the same high standards. Some, sadly, are more concerned with their profits and don't make the same investments in their facilities. It's advisable to carefully research your choice of clinic and dentist before you commit to any work.
ISO 9001:2000 certification is a good sign that a clinic is committed to maintaining high standards. Do keep in mind, though, that this accreditation is entirely optional and is no guarantee of the quality of the dental work itself. Similarly, a lack of ISO accreditation doesn't automatically mean poor standards. Some clinics are also TEMOS certified which indicates a high standard of quality and care in the medical field.
How much are dental implants in the Philippines?
In the table below you can get an idea of Philippines dental prices for teeth implants and other common procedures for dental tourists:
Treatment | Approximate Cost |
Single tooth implant | £800 - £2,000 |
All-on-4 implants | From £6,000 |
Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown | £100 - £350 |
Porcelain veneer | £200 - £400 |
Acrylic dentures (one jaw) | £100 - £300 |
Laser teeth whitening | £150 - £400 |
You'll see that the cost of dental implants in the Philippines, including All-on-4 teeth implants, is considerably less than in the UK. This low cost is what makes it possible to pay for flights, accommodation, and a two-week holiday and still save money compared to getting the work done back home.
Do make sure you factor in all costs including food, insurance, hotels, travel and more when working out whether a dental trip is worth it for you. Remember that for certain procedures like implants you'll need to make two or three visits over the course of several months. You'll also need to contact your chosen clinic to request a personal quotation for your work.
Where is the best place to get dental work in the Philippines?
The Philippines consists of over 7,600 islands. Not all of these have international-standard dental clinics, but a lot of them do have great beaches, beautiful scenery, and rich culture to enjoy. So as you decide where to get your dental work done, you should also consider what else you want to do on your trip, since this may determine where you visit a dentist.
Manila
You'll find the highest concentration of international-standard dental clinics in the capital, Manila. For this reason, people getting dental implants in the Philippines often head straight for Manila.
There is plenty to see and do in this big city, as well as mountainous hiking trails just an hour or two away, but if you're hoping for some R&R on a beach you'll need to travel further afield. Many patients choose to get their dental treatment in Manila before or after exploring other parts of the country.
It takes around 14 hours to reach Manila with a direct flight from London. Once there, though, it's simple to take an onward domestic flight to many other destinations.
Davao
The next largest city after Manila, Davao is located on the southern island of Mindanao. Here you'll find a good selection of dental clinics catering to local and international patients.
Davao city has plenty of parks, museums and other attractions to explore, as well as natural beauty to experience further inland. It's also easy to jump on a boat to any of the nearby beaches and islands, making Davao a good all-around vacation destination.
Cebu and Palawan
The islands of Cebu and Palawan present the best of both worlds for many visitors. They both have an international airport and the amenities of a city (including international dental clinics), yet are small enough that white sand beaches and natural waterfalls are just an hour or two from the main city.
Cebu is also a good starting point for island-hopping since it's nestled in the centre of the Philippine archipelago.
Other destinations
If you're planning to explore some of the more remote tropical islands, you'll find your choice of dentists limited. Although you'll never be too far from dental clinics serving the local population, they may not operate to the same standards you'll find in the larger cities.
If you plan to get major dental work such as dental implants in the Philippines, it might be best to spend a few days in the city before or after you complete the rest of your trip.
What should you consider before you book a Philippines dental holiday?
If you like the idea of a Philippines dental holiday, there are certain things to keep in mind as you research your choice of clinic and plan your trip such as questions to ask your dentist.
You should also research the dental procedure(s) you need, particularly if it's major work you have never had before. This will help you know what to expect, plus you'll be in a better position to ask and answer questions.
Questions to ask your clinic
Don't be afraid to ask clinics plenty of questions to help you make up your mind. They are used to dealing with foreign patients and should be more than happy to give you all the information you need. You might want to ask:
- What qualifications and accreditations do your dentists have?
- Are they specialists in the work you need?
- How much experience do they have with the procedure you need?
- Can you see some photos and testimonials from past patients?
- What materials will they use for your work?
- How long is your work guaranteed for, and what is the procedure if you experience complications?
- What kind of aftercare can you expect?
- What insurance is offered as part of your treatment?
If a clinic is unable to answer your questions satisfactorily or you feel uncomfortable with their communication for any reason, there are plenty of others you can try.
Booking a package
When you book a dental trip to the Philippines you'll have the option to arrange everything yourself or to book a package with a medical tourism company.
Dealing directly with the clinic has its benefits; you can ask all the questions you like and you may be able to negotiate an extra discount. However, some people appreciate the peace of mind that comes with letting someone else arrange everything – including flights, accommodation and transfers.
Even if you don't book a package, you should ask your clinic what is included with your treatment. They may provide airport transfers and daily transport to and from the clinic as part of their service. They might even include accommodation, or offer you discounted rates with nearby hotels. This can depend on the size of the clinic you're dealing with and how much work you're having done.
Visiting a Dentist in the Philippines: Reviews from Real Patients
Whether you're considering getting dental implants in the Philippines or some other treatment, reviews from past patients can play an important part in your research. They help you learn from other peoples' experiences and find out more about what to expect.
Here we have compiled a selection of written and video reviews so you can discover more about what to expect if you visit a dentist in the Philippines. These reviews cover treatments including:
- Root canal work
- Dental crowns and bridges
- Fillings
- Teeth cleaning
- Extractions
We hope these help you make up your mind about whether to get dental treatment in the Philippines.
Checking dentist reviews
As well as reading patient testimonials, you should search for some independent reviews on travel forums and websites. These should give an impartial description of the patient's experience, whereas those provided by the clinic can easily be hand-picked. Even reviews from people who didn't visit your particular clinic can contain useful tips and advice about the overall experience.
Expat sites can also be a good place to gather information since people living in the Philippines longer-term likely have some experience with visiting the dentist there.
To get you started, here is a video from Kyle, a vlogger who visited a dentist in the Philippines for quite a bit of dental work. He talks about the low cost of his treatment and what the experience was like overall.
“I found the dentists to be professional, thorough and compassionate”
Jamie decided to travel to a dentist in Manila for the extensive dental work he needed, saving thousands of dollars on the quote he'd received in Australia. He considered Thailand and Hungary, but decided on the Philippines because it wasn't far to travel should he need to return for some reason. The fact that English is widely spoken there was also a plus.
Jamie's treatment involved extensive fillings and root canal work followed by a crown and a bridge. The total cost was A$3,000 (£1,700) and a third of that was for the bridge.
The main downside of his trip? He stayed for a month and was hoping to explore other parts of the country but his plans were derailed by an infected tooth (resulting from past work in Australia). Because of the need to monitor the infection and the delays it caused, he was only able to get away from the city for a few day trips.
Jamie's story highlights the importance of building some contingency time into your trip, just in case treatment doesn't go according to plan.
“It feels more like going to a spa, to be honest”
One blogger describes how she saw 10 different dentists when she was younger after a bike accident damaged her teeth. None of them restored her smile satisfactorily and she began to dread dental visits. However, a great experience at one particular dental clinic in the Philippines turned this around for her.
In this blog, she writes about her first visit, which involved x-rays, discussing her treatment plan, and one initial filling.
She notes how impressed she was with the little touches that made the experience more bearable. For example, there was a TV above her chair with a choice of movies (including new releases) that she could watch to take her mind off the drilling. She also describes the treatment rooms as “pristine”.
As a disclaimer, the writer does add that she is working as a brand influencer for the clinic so received her work for free. However, her review is worth a read if only to see how modern and hygienic dental clinics in the Philippines can be.
“I'm very happy with the clinic”
Vlogger Simona needed to have two wisdom teeth extracted but decided to get them done one at a time because she wasn't sure how much pain and swelling she'd experience afterwards. In the end, she was glad she decided to do it this way.
Her description of her dental experience is covered in the video below from 2:40 to 7:15.
Because it ended up being a complicated extraction, she had swelling and pain for a couple of days afterwards. This is worth bearing in mind if you're planning a dental holiday – you may not feel like doing much for a day or two after your treatment.
Summary of Philippines dentist reviews
Whatever your reason for visiting a dentist in the Philippines, it pays to do your research. Here is a summary of the advice given in the reviews above:
- Book a hotel close to your clinic if you want to avoid dealing with taxi drivers or public transport immediately after your treatment
- Be prepared for delays and have a plan ‘B'
- Dentists located in shopping centres may be more expensive because of higher business overheads
- Be realistic about how much you'll want to do in the days after your treatment
Alternative destinations for low-cost dental care
If you decide against visiting the Philippines for your dental work, there are still plenty of other popular dental tourism destinations you can consider.
Neighbouring Thailand offers many of the same perks: world-class dental care alongside pristine beaches and diverse cultural experiences. Many people choose to get dental treatment in Bangkok before continuing on to another part of the country for a vacation.
The island of Phuket, meanwhile, is the top choice for people who would rather get their teeth done near the beach. Read more about dental trips to Thailand here.
In Europe, Hungary, Poland, Spain and Turkey all offer top-quality dental treatment at similarly low prices. You can tie your trip in with a city break or a beach holiday, or just focus on getting your dental work done.
For patients travelling from the US, Mexico dentists are an obvious choice because of the proximity. Border towns like Los Algodones and Tijuana can be visited in a day, for those living close enough, while Cancun offers the chance for a dental vacation. Another option is to visit nearby Costa Rica for dental work.
There are plenty of dentists in the capital San Jose, as well as in more popular vacation hot spots like Playas del Coco and Tamarindo. Finally, dental trips to India are becoming more popular, but you should choose your dentist carefully.
Conclusion
Getting dental implants in the Philippines or any other major dental work may save you hundreds or thousands of pounds, even with the cost of travel. You'll also have the chance to enjoy a tropical holiday if you wish.
But before you book any dental work abroad, make sure you have done your research about the dentist and clinic you're choosing. The low prices for dental treatment in the Philippines may be alluring but shouldn't be the deciding factor. Make sure you see a dentist who is qualified and experienced in the procedure(s) you need.
Although dental tourism is becoming increasingly popular as people look to save money on their dental work, we know it's not right for everyone. Wherever you decide to get your treatment, we hope this information has helped you make a decision you're happy with.
Philippine Dental Association http://www.philippinedentalassociation.info/ Consulted 9th November 2021.
Philippine Professional Regulation Commission http://www.prc.gov.ph/ Consulted 9th November 2021.