dental work

[dissy]

Ok so I'm a Canadian that's going to Finland in 2 weeks, for 3 months. I have some dental work needed, and through conversation with my Finnish bf I found out how cheap it is there compared to here. I was thinking of getting stuff done while I'm there. However he says there are long waiting lists for the public dentists, I don't know if this is just Kuopio, or all cities in Finland? The private dentist appear to still be cheaper than here...but I'm unsure, as their price list said 3 cavities for something like 115 euros, or that price for 1 large one, and I'm not sure what they determine to be 'large' . My bf said the public dentist had list of 1700 people , how long of a wait is that? Here you can get an appointment in less than a week. Do private dentists have long waiting lists too?

Lastly, my bf said people go to Estonia for medical stuff because it's really cheap. Anyone done that? Is it good quality? I wanted to see Tallinn anyway

[Hank W.]

Yes well public dentists don't do "tourists". Estonian (private) dentists are maybe 1/2 -2/3 the price in Finland, depends on what you get done. But then you need to find a place and get the appointment and if you need a second appointment... I went for a checkup here last month and had xrays and 3 cavities done... was in that price range under 200 anyways.

[carolinemaher]

Forget getting an appointment with a public dentist. Currently in Helsinki I am on a waiting list of 6 months, they will then send me a letter telling me when I get an appointment which apparently could then be another 3 months, so if you have time to wait 9 months to see someone!!! In my experience the health service in Finland is brilliant, but it seems the dental system is in a bit of a crisis. Looks like I'll go private...

[sinikettu]

Public Dentists in many European countries are ..
1: Too few..
2: Underpaid...
3. Over worked...
4..Back to number 1 agaín..

If you think Finland is bad try the UK..

You have no choice but to find a private dentist anyway..3 months visa = tourist =no public health/dental services.

Estonia..Find the dentist that speaks English..make an appointment....check up...another appointment for treatment....
Travel costs = saving on using Finnish dentist...

[rinso]

In Kuopio are a few private dentist that are willing to help tourists on short notice. But if it's not urgent, I don't know how they will react.

[sinikala]

Ok so I'm a Canadian that's going to Finland in 2 weeks, for 3 months. I have some dental work needed, and through conversation with my Finnish bf I found out how cheap it is there compared to here. I was thinking of getting stuff done while I'm there. However he says there are long waiting lists for the public dentists, I don't know if this is just Kuopio, or all cities in Finland? The private dentist appear to still be cheaper than here...but I'm unsure, as their price list said 3 cavities for something like 115 euros, or that price for 1 large one, and I'm not sure what they determine to be 'large' .

Don't talk to me about dentists...

I had 2 fillings on tues and my mouth has only just stopped aching! I am very happy with the cosmetic finish and the feel, but it's still a bit tender to chew.

- One was a small new filling, composite (tooth coloured plastic) €63, the Kela rebate was €19,80.

- The other, much larger was to replace a large 20 year old amalgam filling with a ceramic (tooth coloured) one which is machined by CAD/CAM whilst you are in the dentist's chair. €374 with €117,60 back from Kela.

- There was also an €18 charge for anesthetic (€6 back from Kela).

Total bill for 1 large + 1 small filling = €455 (= price for tourists) or €318,10 after the Kela rebate.

[Hank W.]

Those ceramics and denture work is still cheaper in Estonia. Not much use to go get done regular fillings... unless your mouth is totally shot. My mate got done... I think they pulled 3 teeth, filled 2 and then he got a clip-on prosthesis for something around 600 euros... (he got about a dozen legos left). The thing is then Estonians think the prices have gone too high, so they go to Ukraine to get theirs done... I guess "its always cheaper south of the border"

[sinikala]

he got about a dozen legos left.

12 teeth?

[carolinemaher]

I know things can be bad in UK, in some areas its hard to find an NHS dentist at all, saying that in London I always got an appointment within 2 weeks not 6 months+. Like I say, I think the healthcare in Finland is brilliant, but the dental service is pants!

[Rosamunda]

I know things can be bad in UK, in some areas its hard to find an NHS dentist at all, saying that in London I always got an appointment within 2 weeks not 6 months+. Like I say, I think the healthcare in Finland is brilliant, but the dental service is pants!

My parents have NHS dentists in Somerset, GB. Two ladies from Finland !!!

Last year I saw a public dentist in Olari and I only waited a few weeks. There is also an emergency public dentist at Puolarmetsä clinic (in Friisilä, Espoo). My husband needed root canal treatment on a Sunday before flying off for a business meeting somewhere and he only waited for a couple of hours (and was able to fly the same day).

Waiting lists are VERY localised. But if you're a tourist then you can't use a public dentist.
When we were in Parnu (Estonia) in February there was even a dentist in our hotel (Paradise). I can think of worse places for getting treatment; I only had a pedicure but if I needed tooth work I would definitely consider going back there!

[dissy]

ok then public is out of the question

Well apparently my bf understood wrong, it's 115 euros for each filling (3 sides, whatever that means, not 3 fillings), which is more expensive than here . I was thinking of canceling my appointment next week but doesn't look like there's any point! Estonia is still an option but would have to go at least twice, for xray then the work, unless I can bring my xrays from here...

[Rosamunda]

I think I paid 60 euro for a (private) filling but that was after the KELA deduction and without an Xray.

[dissy]

I think I paid 60 euro for a (private) filling but that was after the KELA deduction and without an Xray.

Well I have new xrays, done a week ago, but I don't think you can just take them..? I have ones that are between teeth, so I don't know if they can fill them without seeing it in an xray.

[dissy]

Yes well public dentists don't do "tourists". Estonian (private) dentists are maybe 1/2 -2/3 the price in Finland, depends on what you get done. But then you need to find a place and get the appointment and if you need a second appointment... I went for a checkup here last month and had xrays and 3 cavities done... was in that price range under 200 anyways.

It would cost me almost $500 for 3, so 200 euros would be fine with me lol. I wonder if Kuopio is more expensive than elsewhere.

[EP]

Bring your X-rays. If for some reason they don´t want them, then let them take new ones. But I cannot see why they wouldn´t accept the ones you already have.