Friday, July 31, 2009

Two More Happy Smiling (Australian) Faces from the Philippines and Meditour

Both Alex and Jami are in the Philippines and have just had major work carried out. Alex, for example, had 6 implants done in just under 2 weeks. Jami, mum of three who has never been out of the country (Australia)is so impressed she is booking her mum and dad in for their dental work.
If you have family or friends who require minor or major dental work done, point them to our website, blog and twitter so they can make their own mind up about the cost and quality of getting dental work done in the philippines through Meditour.
It's the real deal, it's 'undiscovered' and the people are the friendliest you'll find.
Meditour can help YOU get your smile back!

Alex with his SIX implants!

Jami and Dr Joel

Another Smile from the Philippines

May 2009
I have recently returned from my 3rd overseas dental holiday in the Philippines.
I have now had all my teeth crowned and I am more than happy with final result.
My total cost for dental treatment and 3 holidays (air fare, accommodation and spending money ) was about $18000.
To get all my teeth crowned in Australia I was quoted as $50-60,000 all up
just for dental.
So I have saved that much money as well as having 3 memorable holidays which include golfing. staying at the beach(in between dental treatment) and fun night life .
The dentist was professional at all times and had a genuine caring manner. It was obvious from day 1 that she cared more about my well being and my teeth, rather than how much money she could make (complete contrast to experiences I have had with Australian Dentists)
I’m only sorry I did not know about this many years ago before I paid a fortune to Australian dentists for sub standard treatment..
All my holidays and dental treatment were organised by Meditour. I have no hesitation recommending this to anyone who requires major dental work done .

Ken Jones, Redcliffe QLD

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

$3.6 Billion reasons to go to the Philippines for dental care

Matthew Clayfield July 28, 2009
Article from: The Australian
WORKERS will pay for a proposed $3.6 billion scheme to provide basic dental services for all Australians through a 0.75percentage point rise in the Medicare levy.

More than 650,000 people are on public dental waiting lists across the nation. And with the dental health of children worsening and rates of tooth decay and gum disease well above many other developed countries, the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission yesterday called for the creation of Denticare Australia.

The new commonwealth fund would ensure every Australian has access to basic dental services "regardless of people's ability to pay".

Sydney dentist Natalie Dalati, who knows the high cost of visiting the dentists can be as prohibitive as the fear of fillings and injections, said she would support any measure designed to get people into the dentist's chair. "The cost of dental care is one of the things that really pushes people away," she told The Australian from Dental Care Glebe in Sydney's inner-west yesterday.

"The lack of awareness in the community and high cost of dentistry can combine in a really negative way so that when someone is eventually forced to go to the dentist, those costs are pushed even higher.

"A lot of people don't realise that if they put off an appointment until they're in pain, they're probably going to need root canal surgery or a crown and it's going to cost them so much more."

The proposed scheme, which would cover check-ups, fillings and dentures, would be funded through an 0.75 percentage point increase in the Medicare levy. Patients will still have the option of getting basic dental services through a private health insurance plan or through public dental services.

However, the Australian Dental Association said the proposal reflected a "lack of appreciation of dentistry and the problems with dental care delivery".

"To make some very limited, very basic dental services universally available does not solve the needs of the disadvantaged and in fact may compound them," ADA president Neil Hewson said.

"It is not good enough to say that provision of basic services to all will fix dental care delivery. What is needed is delivery of dentally effective scopes of treatment that will provide long-term dental health -- not patchwork treatment with extractions and dentures, which may give rise to long-term problems later in life."

The health commission's report released yesterday found that one in three adults avoided the dentist because of the sometimes prohibitive cost.

Dr Dalati said she supported the idea of Denticare Australia, especially with 650,000 people across the country on public dental care waiting lists.

"Anything that will reduce the waiting lists in public hospitals is a positive thing," she said. "I teach one day a week for the University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital and by the time we see public patients there, they've often been on the waiting list for a couple of years.

"By that stage, their teeth have deteriorated a lot."

She said measures needed to be taken to make sure dentists wouldn't use the new system as an excuse to offer cheaper, mediocre services.

"Some dentists will either have to drop their fees or will be forced to charge a gap," she said. "There will be patients who won't want to pay a gap, and there will be dentists who drop their costs to accommodate them.

"But because of dentistry's high overheads, to cut down their costs they're going to have to cut corners. They might choose to put in short-term or temporary fillings made of low-grade materials or things like that.

"I would never change my fees, but I'm sure there would be dentists who would be happy to have a no-gap policy."

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Australians Find Philippines For Dental Care

Australian tourists who are constantly in search of health and wellness packages seem to have found the perfect destination for their holiday experience.

One of the leading travel wholesalers in Australia, in their firm belief in the country’s potential in attracting the niche market of health and wellness travelers, has established Meditour Pty Ltd, with the sole purpose of selling health and wellness tours to the Philippines.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said, “The country leads in catering to travelers who look for wellness destinations because of our prime ecotourism locations. Nature and wellness go hand-in-hand; with the wealth of natural resources present in the Philippines, we can continue to nurture travelers who wish to lead a healthy travel lifestyle.”

“We are grateful to All About Asia’s strong confidence in the Philippines’ readiness for health tours. With our wealth of eco-friendly destinations, complemented by the Filipinos’ caring character, travelers looking for the perfect wellness getaway are assured to have their expectations met,” Durano further added.

Renowned medispa facilities are continuously gaining acclaim, among which is The Farm in San Benito, Batangas. All-organic meals coupled with the most effective detoxification programs – all set in a reinvigorating environment, are suitable for all discriminating wellness travellers.

Trips to the country’s top caliber medical facilities were organized for All About Asia’s retail agents to better appreciate the country’s medical and wellness tourism products. The agents went for an ocular visit to various health and wellness facilities such as Devarana Spa, Dr. Cecile Infantado’s Dental Clinic, Beverly Hills 6750, Dr. Rosero’s Dental Clinic, Makati Medical Center, Zen Institute Medispa, NuU Asia Dental Clinic and Beverly Hills Medical Group Clinic.

According to Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. “Our culture is deeply rooted in the Filipino people’s long tradition of wellness. Hilot has been a traditional way of healing, and other communities also have their own indigenous ways towards wellness - and this sets the country apart.”

He added, “With the ongoing global challenges, a lot of tourists are now thinking twice about travel. Health matters, however, need utmost attention. And we are seeing that a growing number of tourists are becoming aware about the world-class health and dental care available in the country, at a more reasonable price.”

A networking dinner was organized to discuss significant matters with industry leaders to brief the agents on medical tourism in the country. Speakers included Cynthia Lazo, DOT Director for Sports and Wellness, Dr. Joel Gutierrez of the Philippine Dental Association, Cathy Turvill of the Spa Association of the Philippines, and Alma Jimenez of the Philippine Association of Health Organizations in Medical Tourism. A significant result of the networking night was a Philippine Dental Holiday and other activities to promote the country’s medical and wellness tours.

“We believe that the Philippines has all the ingredients to satisfy the discriminating health and wellness travelers from down under – the finest facilities, affordable cost, credible professionals, supportive government agencies, and above all – the caring and healing hands of the Filipinos,” Rica Bueno, Head for DOT Team Asia – Pacific, noted.

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Mum of three off to Philippines To Get Her Smile Back

Hi all,

Jami is a 24 year old lady that has a very bad teeth problem. She has had 3 children and needs a full restoration. Jami has never left Australia before.

Here is the original email from David:

“Jami is in her 20's and since having children her teeth have been falling apart. She needs all her teeth re-enamelled and fixed up. She has had a quote from a local dentist of around $30,000.00.

She is arranging her passport next week and wants to go ASAP after that.

I've recommended staying at the Dusit Thani Hotel. She can take photo's of her teeth and email them to you but doesn't have the x-rays the dentist took.”

Jami sent the photos to Meditour and they forwarded to the dentists in Manila, who sent a quote for $4074.

Jami booked her flights on Qantas and 5 star accommodation in Manila with All About Asia, to arrive on the 18th July and stay for 14 nights. It just so happens that the Meditour General Manager, Ms Vinchu Lapid, who is based in Manila, was also on that same flight to Manila. Vinchu was here in Australia to visit the travel agents that attended an educational in May.

We have decided to make an on going story as Jami has her treatment in Manila. Jami has given us permission to do this. We hope that you find it interesting. Photos attached (not of her teeth).

Regards

Robert and Vinchu

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Save 80% on dental work in paradise!

Meditour...helping you save money and your teeth in paradise

Medical Travel is becoming a fact of life as more and more people see the benefits of travelling overseas, not only to save costs but also to decrease waiting times and sometimes to have procedures or remedies that may not be found in their own countries. Rather than put up with the slow and inadequate health systems in some, "first world countries", you can have very high quality procedures done in the Philippines by Western trained, English speaking doctors and dentists at very short notice. Meditour can put you in touch with the best HIGHLY QUALIFIED medical practitioners, in most fields, for yourself or friends or family.

Up to 80% savings at accredited DENTAL CLINICS of the highest quality

Mabuhay Dentist

By Michael Beatty, RSPCA, Brisbane

The room oozes comfort and class. In one corner an intricate water feature cascades
through ferns into a dimply lit rock pool and in the other a brass sculpture by famous Filipino artist Impy Pilapil depicts a ballet dancer in a pose of exquisite grace.
On the teak coffee table expensive picture books on Filipino art and decorating struggle for dominance with “Dignity and Courage” a black and white photographic essay on poverty.
No, this is not a six star hotel suite or the living room in a luxurious private villa. This is a Makati dentist’s waiting room.
“I wanted it to feel homely,” says 62 year old Dr Leonardo Rosero.
If homely means a living room tastefully stacked with furniture and artifacts I could
never afford in a lifetime, then he’s succeeded. In fact he’s succeeded whichever way you look at it, because he’s been one of the Philippine capitol’s most respected and influential dentists for over 30 years. These days his patients include movie stars, politicians and more recently-Australians.
“I’m seeing at least 20 Australians a month. They fly in from Sydney, Melbourne and
more recently, Brisbane. It’s mainly cosmetic surgery but I do a lot of root canal
treatment as well. Many will then take a holiday while they’re waiting for the caps to be made. I always put temporary molds in so they don’t frighten the children!”
Dr Rosero, who graduated from the University of Southern California in 1969 and then
practiced for a year in the United States before returning to Manila, has a strong sense of humour and a long association with dentistry. Both his parents were dentists, as were his two brothers and sisters. Two out of his three children are also dentists. The exception is his youngest son who has graduated in Fine Arts.
“Thank goodness for that!” he jokes. “Otherwise the dinner table conversation would
have been very boring!”
The reason for his recent Australian success is of course financial. Australian dental fees,particularly for cosmetic work, are often way beyond most workers. Robert Graham who operates “Dental Holidays” through his All About Asia travel agency says that 90% of his business is simply word of mouth referrals.
“People realize that they can get the same work done for less than half the price. They travel to the PI, get the work done and then come back and tell their friends.”
By Filipino standards Dr Rosero’s fees are high. Many Australians travel to Angeles
City, once the home of America’s Clark Air Base, where the prices are even lower.
“I book a lot of people into Angeles,” says Graham. “But the only dentist I personally recommend is Leonardo. He was my dentist when I was living there 15 years ago.”
It’s perhaps worth noting that another of Dr Rosero’s patients is the Philippine
Ambassador to Australia Teresa Lazaro.
Despite parental “guidance” Dr Rosero had not initially wanted to become a dentist.
“I wanted to work in a bank. But the reasons were strictly hormonal. All the pretty girls worked in banks. I lasted a year and then gave it away. I couldn’t stand being bossed around. I wanted to be my own boss. I felt the only way I could do this was by becoming a dentist and opening my own practice.”
Understandably Australian dentists are less than impressed at seeing potential patients heading overseas. They warn of dodgy workmanship, suspect hygiene and even more expensive repairs. But Graham says this is simply a matter of the patient doing his or her “homework”.
“Would you hire an employee without checking their references? Of course not! It’s the same with hiring an overseas dentist. Ask around and do the research before you leave.”
In case you’re wondering, I too had decided to take the plunge. What would have cost me close to $11,000 in Australia I had done in Dr Rosero’s Makati clinic for $3,500. I also managed to fit in a five day holiday on Boracay Island, surely one of the most idyllic spots in the world, while I was waiting for the caps. And guess what? I didn’t frighten the children!

The opinion of indivuduals may not represent the exact views of Meditour.

What treatments are available?

TOOTH WHITENING

To make your teeth look shinier and give you more confidence when smiling, our dentists use Cold Light tooth-whitening technology. It cuts down the time needed for the whole whitening process to less than an hour. A study in the February, 2004 Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) found that: “The application of lights significantly improved the whitening efficacy of some bleach materials.” The same study found that high-temperature lights can be dangerous to the teeth, which makes it a very good choice for safely whitening teeth.

TOOTH IMPLANTS

Every tooth consists of two parts: crown (the visible part) and root (the unseen part which anchors the tooth in your jawbone, providing stable support for your crown). When an entire tooth is lost – crown and root - shrinkage of the jawbone may occur. There are many ways to replace tooth crowns, but only dental implants can replace the entire tooth including both crown and root. Dental implants are permanent fixtures of titanium posts anchored to the jawbone and topped with individual replacement teeth or a bridge that screws or cements into the posts. The success rate for implants is very high nowadays: 98 percent for lower implants and 91 percent for upper implants. Dental implants feel, look and function like your own natural teeth. They often last for life, and have the advantage of improved comfort, removal of pain associated with missing roots, and improved self-esteem.

GUM DISEASE TREATMENT

Periodontal disease is a major dental care issue affecting a large sector of the population, whose primary cause is bacterial plaque located near or below the gum margins. A mild form of periodontal disease is called gingivitis and this may result in bleeding during brushing, swelling and increased redness of the gum tissue. The severe forms of periodontal disease which may develop lead to pus formation, tooth mobility and perhaps eventual tooth loss. The disease often occurs in short destructive bursts at a variable number of sites in the mouth. Therefore early identification of the patients at risk of any form of destructive periodontal disease is paramount.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

To help you restore the natural beauty of your smile, our dentists offer metal-free restorations, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers (porcelain coverings of your teeth attached to the natural tooth tissue that look just like your other teeth and help you cover stains, shades or shapes) and others. In fact, cosmetic dentistry is incorporated in all our treatment and we aim to use tooth coloured materials whenever possible, except where more traditional methods such as some metals have functional advantages.

VENEERS

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made of tooth-coloured porcelain designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are bonded onto the teeth so as to create a cosmetic improvement for a tooth. Porcelain veneers are routinely used as a way to make cosmetic changes for teeth that are discoloured, worn, chipped, or misaligned. The translucent ceramic quality of today's veneers provides a more natural look than what’s been available in the past. In some cases, veneers may replace the need for a dental crown, eliminating the need for more invasive tooth preparation.

CROWN AND BRIDGE

If you have heavily damaged or missing teeth, crowns and bridges are often the only satisfactory long-term solution. Our dentists will make sure that these are well-fit in our mouth and look like your natural teeth in order to achieve excellent aesthetic and functional results.

MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery involves procedures concentrated in and around the mouth and includes defects, injuries and diseases involving the mouth, teeth, gums and jaws. We put emphasis on saving as much of the supporting bone and gum tissues as possible in order to provide a good basis for subsequent cosmetic procedures.

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Root canal treatment is needed when the nerve or blood supply of the tooth (known as pulp) is infected through injury or decay. The infection can spread through the root canal system of the tooth and eventually the tooth may need to be taken out. To avoid this, the pulp can be removed; the root canal cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Unlike in the past when this resulted in discolouration, with modern technology and materials the teeth will preserve their natural appearance.

FILLINGS

Fillings are needed to fill in cavities caused by tooth decay. You can choose between the traditional amalgam fillings and tooth-coloured fillings. Tooth-coloured fillings are made from durable plastics called composite resins and are not only functional, but natural-looking as well. You may also decide to replace your old amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured ones and restore the confidence in your smile.

Quotes: Best to send us a quote and X rays from an Australian dental clinic so we can forward to our dentists and give a better estimate of costs and treatment duration.

Our Dentists

Dentists in the Philippines strictly follow the educational system practiced in the USA. All dental practioners graduate with a Degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) after six years of study, both theory and practice, thus they are called Doctors in our country, as with graduates of dental medicine, worldwide. Dentists (Doctors of Dentistry) are allowed to practice their procession only after taking and passing the National Licensure Examination. When they decide to open their clinic, a government agency oversees that all clinics comply with acceptable international protocol in infection control and regulates the practioners in terms of continuing education, skill development and ethical practice.

The Philippine Dental Association (PDA) has a Dental Tourism Committee aimed to make members aware of, follow, and execute guidelines on global compliance. The foremost concern is the proper sterilization of equipment using autoclave sterilizers, and the prevention of cross contamination. The PDA conducts mandatory continuing education to upgrade their members’ skills and to make sure they keep abreast with global practices.

MEDITOUR is proud of the fact that they are affiliated only with active members of the Philippine Dental Association, who are not just compliant with the requirements of the Philippine Regulation Commission but follow all the rules and regulations of the Philippine Dental Association and comply totally with International Dental Protocols Furthermore, they have all undergone graduate studies and continuing education seminars in the United States and elsewhere, and are conscious of the need of updating themselves with the latest trends, technology, and practices.

Our Qualified dentists are located in the following areas in the Philippines:

Makati, Metro Manila - The real CBD of Manila, with offices, banks, embassies, many restaurants, cinemas & supermarkets. Makati has the highest concentration of the country’s finest department stores, fashion boutiques, exclusive jewellery shops, antique stores, shoe stores, bookstores, and most other commercial establishments.

Cebu City- Located an hour's flight south of Manila, it is the second largest city in the Philippines. Has beach resorts 30 minutes from the city centre. modern shopping centres, very interesting Spanish history, and an International airport with daily flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

Angeles City - 2 hours by road north of Manila- Once home to the US Air Force with a vibrant entertainment district and new huge shopping mall recently opened.

Frequently asked questions

The following questions are the most asked.

Q: Will I actually save money with the extra costs by flying to the Philippines and staying in a hotel?
A: It is a common knowledge that dental treatment is very costly in Australia. For example, the common procedure of porcelain crown and bridge would regularly cost $800 to $1200 per unit. In the Philippines, the customary rate for this procedure is merely $100 to $200 and can be done in a shorter period of time because of the availability of local but world-class dental laboratories. Other dental procedures will cost much less and can save a substantial amount you can allot to pay for your airfare and other holiday expenditures.
Q: How do I find out the cost of treatment?
A: Send us your requirements (quotation request) or the best way is to send us a treatment plan given by your local dentist . Any X rays you have would also help. even pictures taken of your teeth help the dentists give you a close cost estimate.
Q: How long will i need to be away from home?
A: Of course it depends on the treatment required. We have found the average is 10 days but we have had people treated in as little as 5 days. If you send us your requirements, our dentists can give a fairly accurate length of time needed.
Q: People tell me it is not hygenic to have dental treatment performed in Asia. How can I be sure that the clinics are clean?
A: Filipino dentists can be at par with any foreign dentist. Through their continuing education, awareness, and access to modern equipment, local dentists can truly be comparable to foreign practitioners.
Q: Is the work guaranteed?
A: Yes, if any procedure does not meet your requirements before you depart, the dentist will make sure it is rectified.
Q: Would Ihave someone meet me at the airport on arrival?
A: Yes, everyone that arrives at the airport is met by the Meditour representative and escorted by private car to the Hotel. In Manila, you are also loaned a mobile phone with all the contact numbers needed for your stay. The Meditour representative is on call 24/7 and can assist you in many things, including shopping, tours etc.
Q: How will I get to the clinic?
A: The clinic will arrange for you to picked up and taken back to the hotel after each treatment.
Q: Who will arrange the travel from Australian to The Philippines?
A: All About Asia Pty Ltd, a licensed, wholesale travel agency, who have been arranging packaged holidays to the Philippines for over 18 years will arrange this through your local travel agency. They have special airfares arranged with Qantas, Philippine Airlines and Singapore Airlines that can be packaged, along with your preferred style of accommodation, at much lower costs than trying to arrange it separately.
Q: Will I need a special visa to travel to the Philippines?
A: All Australian passport holders receive an automatic visa for 21 days stay. As with most countries, you must have a least 6 months validity on your passport.
Q: How long is the flight from Australia to The Philippines?
A: As short as 7 hours from Brisbane to Manila, a bit longer from Sydney and Melbourne.

Responsibility: We book the travel you request, with suppliers and providers approved by you. We are not responsible for the way in which the suppliers and providers perform or fail to perform or wrongly perform the services they promise. In the event their performance (or lack of performance) results in loss or damage to your possessions, or illness, injury or death to you or your travelling companions, delays in or amendments to travel arrangements, medical complications, your recourse is limited to those suppliers or providers (and applicable travel insurance). It is your responsibility to obtain advice from a medical practitioner before travel on the medical risks you will be taking by the travel.