Dental Disasters Abroad

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“Three of the main types of problems you may experience abroad are an abscessed tooth, a broken tooth or a broken filling,” he notes. “An abscessed tooth is best caught before leaving on your trip.”

If you experience a problem after you depart, as I did, Dr. Yarn advises taking a broad-spectrum antibiotic on every voyage—amoxicillin, for example—to ward off any infection that may arise, dental or otherwise. Every travel kit should also include some form of ibuprofen, which can be used to alleviate pain.

As far as professional dental care is concerned, his advice is, “If it isn’t bothering you, wait until you get home to your own dentist that you trust.”

Standards in the United States differ even from those in Europe, and several American dentists have been disappointed by the treatment their patients have received while out of the country. One American living in Italy returned to his American practitioner and learned that the dental work he’d had done overseas was sub-par. In fact, treatment varies even between states, and visiting any dentist with whom you have no history may leave you disappointed with your treatment outcomes.

For these reasons, Chicagoan Lynn McGuire chose temporary relief when she lost a crown during her travels. Figuring she would be away from home only a short time, she decided to have a local dentist put in a temporary crown that would last until she returned home.

“Actually, I really liked this dentist,” she says. “His technology was more modern than my own dentist’s, and if I were going to be away longer, I would have felt very comfortable having him complete the whole procedure.”

Sometimes travelers receive excellent care overseas. My friend Chris suffered from an infected molar while traveling in Vietnam and found that she received even better dental care in Hanoi than she would have at home. Then again, she had made the effort to locate an internationally renowned clinic with foreign-trained dentists, which may have made a dramatic difference. Not all travelers are so fortunate.

In my case, I finally bit the bullet and went to a clinic in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. Local acquaintances recommended this facility, and I felt comfortable based on my initial impressions. The office was immaculate. Employees wore healthcare uniforms, and everything looked very modern.

The receptionist handed me sterile slipcovers to don over my shoes before she escorted me into the treatment room. As it turned out, I’d lost two fillings and was able to choose the type of replacements I would like from an extensive list. I chose the one manufactured in the United States—familiarity breeds comfort.

The mere $20 USD price tag shocked me, especially since I knew the same fillings back home would cost five times that amount. The dentist smiled coolly throughout the procedure, building my confidence in her abilities. The treatments offered were technically advanced, and the care I was given equaled the care I was used to at home. I left with two smoothly filled molars and a smile on my face, knowing that—in this instance—I had made the right choice.

Ultimately, travelers should make decisions on a case-by-case basis. Visiting the dentist pre-departure can help identify and prevent potential problems. When problems do arise during a journey, waiting to return home may be the safest bet, but keep in mind that comfort and painlessness allow for a more pleasant holiday. Having appropriate medications on hand may be well worth packing a little bit of extra weight.

If worse comes to worst, expats and embassies can often give recommendations for reputable local practitioners. Whatever it takes, travelers should try to choose what is best for their teeth and gums. After all, snapshots always look best with healthy smiles.

Hillary Easom recently returned from a 13-month journey around the world, during which she thankfully suffered few medical setbacks. A freelance writer and photographer, Ms. Easom currently resides in Chicago.

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