JEDDAH: A well-aligned set of all the 32 teeth are an important part of one’s personality, especially for those seeking jobs in the defense or civil sectors. To gain that confident smile, such people are ready to shell out large sums of money to dental specialists, says a report.
For instance, the cost of dental implant, which many citizens opt for, is reportedly as high as SR8,500 in reputed clinics in the Kingdom, a local newspaper reported, quoting sources.
However, some tooth implant centers are very popular because of their low cost, but they are seen as not complying with international standards. This has resulted in some customers going abroad for the purpose.
Dr. Adnan Al-Maghlouth, a consultant in diseases and surgeries of the gums and supporting tissues and a consultant of dental implant and oral rehabilitation, told a newspaper that some countries like Switzerland depend on the local health rules for services.
The cost of general medicine and dental services are almost same everywhere in that country. The reason is that there is just one authority which determines the costs of surgeries. Therefore, it is easy to coordinate with insurance companies to cover the cost of treatment.
He said that in Switzerland, the price of dental implant is determined by a Swiss association, along with treatment of other oral problems. There is a marginal difference in the cost of treatment in hospitals and clinics, he added.
Dr. Osama Ahmad, a dentist, said that it was important to classify the dental surgeries and their cost. “There should be a list of the details of the teeth, means of the processes and types of implant.”
He said that there were two stages in the tooth implant surgery — preparation of the location in the mouth where the tooth will be implanted and installation of the new tooth. It is the quality of the tooth that determines the cost, he said.
Mohammad Al-Tamyat, a lawyer and legal consultant, said that those who are doing professional work without proper qualifications or with fake certificates can receive a maximum jail term of six months or a fine up to SR100,000 or both.
Arab News
