Short answer: The risks of overseas dental work are similar wherever you go. The ADA advises Australians to have elective dental treatment in Australia (ADA (opens official site)). This page sets out sourced facts side by side so you can check them yourself. Prices: Price on request, get quotes from clinics.
Risks and limitations to understand first
- The ADA’s position is that Australian residents should only seek elective dental care in Australia (ADA (opens official site)).
- Problems can surface months or years later, when you’re far from the clinic, and Australian dentists may struggle to repair work without full records (ADA (opens official site)).
- Some implant systems used overseas may not be compatible with those used here (ADA (opens official site)).
- Medicare doesn’t cover treatment overseas, and your health fund may not cover dental work done overseas (Smartraveller (opens official site); ADA (opens official site)).
Side by side
| Thailand | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Smartraveller overall advice | “Exercise a high degree of caution” (Smartraveller (opens official site)) | “Exercise normal safety precautions” (Smartraveller (opens official site)) |
| Medical standards | See Thailand safety | Generally below Australian standards; foreign private clinics in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang may not meet Australian standards (Smartraveller (opens official site)) |
| Payment | Confirm in writing with the provider | Payment is usually expected before treatment (Smartraveller (opens official site)) |
| Serious cases | See Thailand safety | Evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore may be needed (Smartraveller (opens official site)) |
| Dentist register | Dental Council of Thailand (opens official site) | Ministry of Health licensing system (opens official site) (Vietnamese) |
| Emergency numbers | See Thailand safety | Medical 115, police 113, fire 114; operators may only speak Vietnamese (Smartraveller (opens official site)) |
[Reviewer: confirm the Vietnamese register is public and searchable.]
Next steps
- Dental implants in Thailand, Bangkok, Phuket and Thailand overview
- Dental implants hub, Bali and Turkey
- How to choose a dentist or surgeon overseas and questions to ask
- Travel insurance for surgery, medical tourism insurance and Medicare overseas
- Aftercare in Australia
Trip timeline checklist (educational)
| Stage | What to lock in writing |
|---|---|
| Before deposit | Licence checks, facility accreditation method, itemised quote, revision policy |
| Before travel | Fit-to-fly plan, insurance PDS answers, companion plan, English records request |
| On the ground | Stay near the treating facility; avoid holiday activities until cleared |
| Before flying home | Written clearance; know emergency numbers and consular contacts |
| Back in Australia | GP follow-up with records; aftercare and revision pathways |
Visa rules for Thailand changed from 15 September 2026 (Thai Government PRD (opens official site)). See medical visa, recovery in Thailand, insurance and Medicare.
Paying: Cosmetic procedure pages on this site do not promote surgeryloans.com.au. Neutral trip maths: trip cost calculator.
How to compare destinations without picking a winner
Search phrases that ask for a single winning destination usually hide the real decision:
- The named clinician’s training and who performs each step
- Facility accreditation verified on the issuer’s directory
- Fly-safe recovery time and whether you can stay long enough
- Revision policy and Australian aftercare access
- Total trip cost, not a procedure-only marketing figure
This site does not crown a best or cheapest country. Use destination hubs, safety guides and cost pages together, then decide with your own clinician.
Documents and aftercare to request before you fly home
Ask for copies in English where possible:
- Operation or treatment notes and the named clinician’s details
- Implant, graft, device or laboratory material details if relevant
- Medication list, wound-care instructions and warning signs that need urgent care
- Written fit-to-fly advice and any activity restrictions
- Contact path for the overseas team if a problem appears after you leave
Bring those records to your Australian GP promptly. See aftercare in Australia, revision surgery in Australia and complications after surgery overseas.
Medicare does not cover treatment overseas (Department of Health (opens official site)). Basic travel insurance rarely covers medical tourism (Smartraveller (opens official site)).
Frequently asked questions
Is Thailand or Vietnam better for dental implants?
We don’t rank countries. The risks are similar, and the ADA advises having elective dental treatment in Australia.
What does Smartraveller say about medical care in Vietnam?
That standards are generally below Australian standards, and foreign private clinics in major cities may not meet them either.
How do I check a dentist in Thailand?
Use the Dental Council of Thailand.
How do I check a dentist in Vietnam?
The Ministry of Health runs a national licensing system, in Vietnamese.
What does it cost?
We only publish verified, dated prices. Price on request, get quotes from clinics.
What should be in a written quote?
Itemised clinician and facility fees, anaesthetic, stay length, inclusions and exclusions, revision or remake policy, and what happens if you need a longer stay.
Why does the full trip cost matter more than the procedure fee?
Flights, hotel for the fly-safe window, companion costs, time off work, insurance and a revision buffer often exceed a low procedure-only figure (Smartraveller (opens official site)).
Does this site pick a best or cheapest country?
No. We soften those anchors. Compare named credentials, facility checks, aftercare at home and total trip maths.
Should I decide based on the lowest advertised fee?
No. Compare inclusions, credentials, fly-safe recovery time and revision pathways.
What records should I bring home?
Operation notes, implant or device details if relevant, medication lists and written fit-to-fly advice in English where possible.
When should I involve an Australian GP?
Before you travel if you can, and promptly after you return with your overseas records.
Sources
All accessed 24 October 2026.
- Australian Dental Association, Policy Statement 2.2.6: Elective overseas dental treatment: https://ada.org.au/policy-statement-2-2-6-elective-overseas-dental-treatment
- Smartraveller, Thailand: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/thailand
- Smartraveller, Vietnam: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/vietnam
- Dental Council of Thailand: https://dentalcouncil.or.th/FindDentist?lang=en
- Vietnam Ministry of Health, National medical practitioner licensing system: https://qlhanhnghekcb.gov.vn/
- Smartraveller, Medical tourism: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/medical-tourism
Disclaimer: The information on medicaltourism.com.au is general in nature. It isn’t medical, legal, financial or insurance advice and doesn’t take your personal circumstances into account. Talk to a registered health practitioner before deciding on any procedure. See our editorial policy, medical disclaimer and how we make money.