Nikki - Patient Report
Nikki Mintrum explains the pitfalls of overseas dentistry and how ‘Teeth-in-a-day’ with Dr Peter Sanders changed her life…
After suffering from gum disease, Dental Confidence patient, Nikki Mintrum had experienced various problems including tooth loss and unstable teeth. With visits to her dentist, sometimes as often as monthly, Nikki’s dental health was having a negative impact on her life. She was unable to eat the foods she wanted, and her missing and failing teeth meant she was increasingly unconfident about smiling and eating in public.
Eventually Nikki’s dentist explained that there was little else they could do. Having decided that dentures would not be an option, Nikki explored and researched dental implants and her dentist referred her to Dental Confidence, in Southampton. However, Nikki’s dentist forgot to send the referral details to Dental Confidence, and so, after some time, Nikki explored other alternatives: “I didn’t hear from Dental Confidence, so I ended up considering other practices.” Explains Nikki. “All of my existing teeth needed to be extracted and replaced with implants, so I decided to assess implant dentists in other countries, to save costs.”
“I visited Turkey and Spain, which were cheaper options- but there were many other things I needed to consider before I committed. For example, getting to and from these countries would be difficult and time consuming and the cost of travel and accommodation wasn’t cheap. Also, being a patient in a different country was quite daunting. When I visited them, there was a huge language barrier which also worried me. I was also unsure about what I would do if there were any complications when I returned home, how I would have regular check-ups. I certainly didn’t want to fly back there with tooth problems, should they later occur.”
After reconsidering treatment with a UK based dentist, Nikki reviewed implant dentists in Harley Street, but wasn’t keen on travelling to and from London either. She continued to research implant dentists online and kept coming back to Dr Peter Sanders and Dental Confidence- so she decided to call.
“I rang Dental Confidence, and it turned out that my dentist hadn’t sent my referral to them in the first place, so I made an appointment. From the moment I spoke to someone at the reception, I felt comfortable. I was impressed with their way. Having had small businesses, I know the importance of first impressions. The staff on the front desk at Dental Confidence were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful- and that is so important.”
“When I visited the practice, I learnt that the rest of the team
were all also amazing. They all immediately made me feel so
comfortable, and when I met Peter, I was super impressed. I’m
actually terrified of dentists, but he was so great with me, he is
fantastic and so supportive with nervous patients. Dr Sanders
and his team pay attention to every detail – you can tell he is a
perfectionist in every way.”
“After having the treatment – I couldn’t believe it. I had full
extraction and left the practice with completely new teeth that
day. And I never experienced any pain- now that is quite
incredible coming from someone who cannot bear having an
injection!”
“Having implants has been life changing- I can eat and drink
normally again and have the things I have really missed. If I am
honest, I had forgotten what it was like – just to function
normally. I didn’t realise how much implants would boost my
confidence. I couldn’t recommend Dental Confidence more.