Dental surgery in Hungary

Price of dental surgery in Hungary

The average cost of dental treatment in Hungary, in Budapest, is €2,200. Depending on your needs, the price can vary from 1800 euros to 2600 euros.

Interventions	Cost Hungary
Consultation fee	Free
Dental implant crown	700 euros
Porcelain veneer	300 euros
Full dental implant	5,000 euros
Plane ticket	70 euros
Hotel	50 euros

What is dental tourism?

Dental tourism is simply the practice of travelling abroad to receive dental treatment in Hungary in Budapest. It has become a popular route for Europeans thanks to the quality and relatively low cost of dental treatment.

Dental treatment in Hungary

It is difficult to know exactly how many patients travel abroad each year for dental treatment, as patients or dentists are not obliged to disclose this information. However, some estimates put the number at 60-70,000 patients a year, almost half of whom travel to Hungary for treatment. Dental implants and oral surgery are the most common treatments that Europeans receive abroad.

And Hungarian dentists don’t just receive visitors from Europe; many patients also come from neighbouring countries such as France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. This Hungarian dental clinic claims that 21% of its patients come from France, 25% from Germany and 28% from Austria.

Patients from Germany and Austria began crossing the Hungarian border for cheaper dental surgery in the 1980s. This gave rise to “dental towns” such as Mosonmagyaróvár, which has 160 dental surgeries but a population of only 32,000.

With the advent of low-cost airlines, patients were able to travel cheaply from more remote areas. Gradually, more dental surgeries were opened in Budapest to offer greater comfort to air travellers.

Why have dental treatment in Hungary?

The reasons why people travel to Hungary for dental surgery include the following:

• Price: The main reason people have cosmetic dentistry done in Hungary is probably the money they save compared to private treatment in Europe – particularly for dental implants and veneers, which can cost thousands of pounds.
• Training and qualifications: Dentists in Hungary undergo extensive training and are well regulated.
• State-of-the-art equipment: Many Hungarian clinics have invested heavily in the latest technology to make dental treatment as efficient, fast and comfortable as possible.
• Speed of treatment: NHS waiting times are notoriously long – not what you want when you have a toothache. Rather than waiting months for treatment in their home country, patients can receive dental treatment in Hungary in a matter of days.
• Excellent facilities: The emphasis is on customer care and making the experience enjoyable, with some clinics offering spa-like facilities that patients can use during their stay.
• Location: Just 2 hours by plane from France, consultations and some treatments can be carried out without an overnight stay in Hungary.
• Sightseeing: If you’re travelling abroad, you might as well go somewhere picturesque. Budapest and the surrounding area have a lot to offer in terms of tourism and leisure activities.

Dental training in Budapest

Hungary’s oldest medical school, Semmelweis University, was founded in 1769 and welcomes the largest number of dental students in the country every year. Nestling in the heart of Budapest, it offers dental training in Hungarian, French and German.

Every year, almost half of its dental graduates are foreigners, a testament to the quality of its teaching. On completion of their training, graduates are awarded a Doctorate in Dental Medicine (D.M.D.).

Dentists wishing to obtain a qualification in a specialised field such as orthodontics, periodontology or prosthetic dentistry must first complete 36 months of salaried work in a professional practice. They can then return to university to take a postgraduate course.

Regulations governing Hungarian dentists

As a member of the EU, all dentists practising in Hungary must comply with EU standards. In addition, they must register with the Ministry of Health, which issues a certificate to those who can demonstrate a certain level of activity. To maintain this licence, dentists must keep up to date with current standards by regularly attending seminars, conferences, etc.

Many Hungarian dentists are also registered with the Hungarian Medical Chamber (Magyar Orvosi Kamara – MOK). Although voluntary, this accreditation is a sign of prestige. This is why so many dentists strive to obtain it by meeting rigorous criteria. This membership is something to bear in mind when looking for a dentist in Hungary.

Clinics in Hungary are not subject to continuous monitoring, but it is assumed that a dentist who has achieved a certain level of quality cares about the running of his or her clinic. You can choose one that is ISO 9001 accredited if you want peace of mind when undergoing cosmetic dentistry in Hungary.

Where to go to the dentist in Hungary

Once you’ve narrowed down your search and decided to get treatment in Hungary, you’ll still need to choose which clinic to use. Will you choose a dentist in Budapest, the capital, or in a smaller town?

Dental implants in Budapest

Many of the best dental clinics in Hungary are located in the historic capital, Budapest. Budapest dentists are well known for their high standards of cosmetic dentistry and routine dental care.

Some dental clinics in Budapest offer their own accommodation, but even if yours doesn’t, there are accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets. 3-star hotel rooms in Budapest are available from around €55 per night.

It’s worth taking the time to do a bit of sightseeing in Budapest too. Until 1872, the cities of Buda and Pest, divided by the Danube, were separate. Although they are now united, each retains its own character. Buda, a hilly city, is home to a castle offering spectacular views over the river and the rest of the city.

A walking tour will give you a taste of the city, but you’ll need a few days to explore it at your own pace. Some clinics even offer their own tours and sightseeing programmes that you can incorporate into your visit to the dentist. Drop in to one of the spas, for which Hungary is famous, to relax a little before or after your dental treatment.

Other destinations

Clinics in places like Mosonmagyaróvár, far from the capital, will take a little longer to reach – but again, you should have no trouble getting travel assistance. You may find that prices are even lower in more remote areas.

Direct flights to Hungary take around 2 hours. A simple consultation or treatment can therefore be carried out in just one day. For more complex treatments such as dental implants, you will probably need to stay for a few nights and possibly make several visits.

Why not start by getting a free quote from one of our recommended dental clinics in Hungary? Simply fill in a few details and one of our dental tourism representatives will contact you shortly to discuss your treatment and prices.

Why is it cheaper in Hungary?

One might assume that the lower prices are the result of lower standards of care and outdated equipment. On the contrary, many Hungarian dental clinics have state-of-the-art equipment and offer a level of care that far exceeds that of many clinics in Europe.

It is in fact the overheads of businesses that largely determine the cost of treatment. Renting commercial premises in Budapest is not as expensive as in London, for example. Utilities, salaries and maintenance are also cheaper.

These savings accumulate quickly and allow dentists to offer their services at a relatively low price. With higher profit margins, they can also invest more in equipment and facilities to improve their patients’ experience.

The growth of dental tourism itself has also helped to keep prices low and standards high. As more and more dentists open their doors to patients from countries such as the UK, France and Germany, they are constantly competing with each other to offer the best possible service.

Bear in mind that not all Hungarian dentists will have made these investments in technology, training and facilities. This means that you shouldn’t just go looking for the cheapest possible treatment. Do your own research by looking online at Hungary dental tourism reviews and asking lots of questions to make sure the clinic you’ve chosen offers the level of care you need.

Getting dental implants in Hungary

Once you’ve found a clinic you’re happy with, you’ll need to attend a consultation. This is essential to plan your treatment, calculate the exact cost and make sure you’re comfortable with everything.

Consultations are often free, and some clinics may go so far as to offer free airport transfers and even reimburse the cost of your flights if you go ahead with the proposed treatment.

The length of time and number of visits required will depend on the type of implants you have.

The implantation procedure

Traditional implants are inserted in stages. First, the implant itself is inserted into the jawbone and the gum tissue is sewn back into place. It takes four to six months for the implant to settle and fuse with the bone.

At the next visit, the abutment is installed and you can receive a temporary crown to cover it. About two weeks later, it’s time to measure your mouth so that the implant crown or bridge fits perfectly. Fabrication usually takes a few days, during which you can go home or enjoy a mini break.

The whole procedure requires three or four visits spread over several months.

All-on-4 implants

All-on-4 implants in Hungary can be fitted in just one day, making them a popular choice for dental implant patients in Hungary. As they only require four implants in the lower jaw and six in the upper jaw, they are also cheaper than a mouth full of traditional implants.

Patients may still be advised to stay for a few days so that the dentist can monitor progress, but it is not necessary to stay for a week. Temporary dentures are fitted initially, and after a few months you will need to return to have them replaced with a permanent set.

Finding the right dentist for you

The choice of dentists in Hungary can be a little overwhelming when you start to consider your options. Fortunately, we’ve already selected what we consider to be some of the best dentists in Hungary based on our high standards of quality, care and service (read about how we choose clinics here).

You can contact these clinics for a free quote by clicking below and providing us with your contact details.

We recommend that you consult your usual dentist for advice before embarking on treatment abroad. He or she will be able to identify any underlying oral health problems that may prevent you from receiving dental implants or other treatment abroad. You may also need to obtain a panoramic X-ray to send to the clinic in Hungary for an accurate quote.

Questions to ask your dentist

As you do your research to find the best dentist in Hungary for your needs, here are some questions to ask to make sure all the bases are covered:

• How do they provide their consultations?
• When will you be given a fixed price for your treatment?
• What is included in the price and what will you have to pay extra for?
• How are they accredited?
• What care will they provide during your recovery?
• What follow-up care will you need to arrange on your return?
• Do they provide insurance and/or guarantees?
• What happens if you encounter complications after your return?

Opinions on dentists in Hungary

If you’re researching your dental care options in Hungary, reviews are an important part of the process. You want to know what the experience has been like for other people who have received treatments such as crowns, veneers and dental implants in Hungary.

But with so much information available online (and not all of it honest), you might feel a little overwhelmed. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together some useful comments and advice from people who have visited Hungary for dental surgery. Here you’ll find information on

• The types of dental treatment available in Hungary
• Advantages of booking through an agency
• What to expect on arrival
• How to choose a clinic
• Potential disadvantages

These are all positive things to consider when you’re trying to decide if dental tourism is right for you. If you haven’t already read our guide to dental treatment abroad, check it out for more tips and information.

If you’d like to get an idea of how much dental surgery will cost you, you can request a free quote now. Simply enter a few details and you’ll soon be informed of the costs of treatment by recommended dentists in Hungary.

Conclusion

It’s clear to see why so many people choose dental implant treatment in Hungary. The country has a well-established reputation when it comes to dental tourism. That said, there’s still a lot to consider when deciding whether dental tourism in Hungary is right for you.

We hope this guide has helped you understand your options and prepare for your trip, should you decide to go ahead.

Don’t forget that you can get a free quote for your dental surgery in Hungary by clicking on the button below. Just enter a few details and one of our dental tourism representatives will contact you with a no-obligation quote for the work you need. You may be surprised at how much you can save by travelling abroad for treatment in Hungary!