The Star, Monday, February 18, 2008
Cheaper to do dental implants here
AS A practising oral implantologist, I read with alarm and concern the polemic “Dental Visits a Pain in The Pocket” The Star, Feb 13).
To clarify matters and to set the record straight, I would like to address certain inaccuracies that were unfortunately passed off as facts:
> To qualify as an oral implantologist requires vigorous practical and theoretical grounding on par with medical doctors: a five-year basic degree in addition to a further two to four years of specialisation.
During the course of the training, many modules are identical to those undertaken by medical students, including management of medical emergencies and performance of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
> The current prices of implants in Malaysia range from RM5,000 to RM9,000, which is substantially lower than those in other countries. For example, implants in Singapore easily cost in excess of S$6,000 (RM13,662); in the UK, more than £2,500 (RM15,788); in the US, more than US$2,500 (RM8,050).
In fact, many foreign patients of mine have performed multiple dental implants in Malaysia specifically due to the equivalent level of professional competence but at a fraction of the price back home.
> Implants are not necessarily the final word in tooth restoration (even though the procedure ranks as the best among the options available in terms of comfort, function and aesthetics).
In the interest of cost, cheaper options such as dentures and bridges are available. On this note, no right-minded dental practitioner will force a patient to have implants done if affordability is an issue.
> The Malaysian Dental Association does provide a list of recommended fees for dental implants. However, as the writer pointed out, it is a free market; therefore each patient has the right to find the practitioner that he is most comfortable with.
> Government specialists have been providing dental implant services for some time now at lower rates compared with private fees. The writer seems to be ignorant of this fact.
> The implantation procedure is not as simple, nor as straightforward, as claimed by the writer.
As stated in the foregoing points, an oral implantologist has to undergo lengthy clinical and hands-on training to become an expert in the field.
There are many serious complications and adverse effects that can arise should the procedure be done incorrectly: for example in the case of guided bone regeneration procedure, sinus lift and bone harvesting.
I hope I have clarified some of the misconceptions that the writer has generated in his letter.
AN ORAL IMPLANTOLOGIST,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
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