Red Flags

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Red flags – warning signs BEFORE choosing a clinic

These are signals worth catching at the messaging, online consultation and research stage – before you pay and buy your ticket.

💬 Communication with the clinic

🚩 "We never have complaints" HIGH RISK

You hear assurances that complaints never happen, instead of a specific written procedure describing how complaints are handled. Any clinic claiming it never has problems is either lying or not listening to its patients.

✓ What to do:

Ask for a written complaints and warranty policy. If they don't have one or won't show it – keep looking.

🚩 Unclear rules if problems arise after returning home HIGH RISK

The clinic can't clearly say who pays for the flight, hotel and corrections if a problem appears after you return home. They avoid the topic or say "we'll see".

✓ What to do:

Ask this question IN WRITING before payment. If the answer is evasive – you have your answer.

🚩 They won't tell you who will treat you HIGH RISK

When asked "who will treat me?", you hear only the clinic name, not the full name of the specific dentist. You don't know who will be working in your mouth – and that's the most important information you should receive.

✓ What to do:

Demand the name, surname, specialisation and experience of the doctor. Check them yourself – Google, medical registers, reviews.

🚩 Difficult questions brushed off with jokes or slogans HIGH RISK

You ask about risks, complications, specific materials – and in response you hear a change of subject, a joke or "don't worry, everything is fine". A professional clinic doesn't run away from difficult questions.

✓ What to do:

Ask the question again, in writing. If they brush it off again – this is not a place where you want to have your teeth treated.

🚩 Suspiciously low price without a treatment plan HIGH RISK

The offer is suspiciously cheap compared to other clinics and you don't receive a detailed treatment plan or list of materials. A low price without transparency most often means savings on what you can't see – materials, time, the doctor's experience.

✓ What to do:

Ask for a written plan with a list of materials and implant/crown brands. Compare with prices at 2-3 other clinics. "Cheap" should never mean "sloppy".

🚩 The clinic "undercuts" competitors and haggles over price HIGH RISK

The clinic offers to undercut another facility's offer and haggles hard over the price. A good doctor doesn't compete for the lowest sum for an invasive procedure – they clearly explain what you're paying for.

✓ What to do:

If a clinic lowers its price under pressure instead of explaining the value of its work – think about where they're cutting corners. On materials? On time? On your safety?

Don't ignore these signals

One red flag is a warning. Two is a serious cause for concern. Three – walk away and find another clinic.

See green signals →

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