It is true that public and private medical costs vary greatly between EU member states. It is important to make like-for-like comparisons when checking differences in medical costs between EU countries. For example, quotes for dental implant restorations, which usually consist of 3 stages (surgical, abutment placement and crown fitting) might differ significantly between dental practises. This is because some clinics only include the cost of the implant insertion (surgical part) in their marketing communication. It is misleading as the total restoration cost is higher. Patients are advised to gather as much information as possible about the treatment they require and then contact the clinic to obtain the accurate price for the specific procedure. In most cases, clinics will not be able to provide 100% accurate treatment costs without diagnosis or consultation. Clinic’s rate card however will provide an insight into the overall fee structure.

Another factor that needs to be taken into account when comparing costs is the experience of medical personnel and reputation of the clinic. Well known cosmetic and dental clinics are usually more expensive but often provide superior quality and aftercare. It is worth checking the credentials of the surgery and its staff. Best surgeries often include all the relevant information such as patient testimonials and qualifications on their websites. Patients can also contact the appropriate medical organisation or the governing body in the country where the medical facility is based.