Māori dentists warn against tooth tourism

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A Māori dentist says flaws in New Zealand’s dental industry means many Māori are seeking lower cost treatment overseas – despite significant safety risks.

Justin Wall, the chair of Māori oral health collective Te Rōpu Niho Ora says they should shop around at home first.

“If you get a quote for work in New Zealand, that’s not necessarily what the pricing is for the rest of New Zealand. So if people are looking at finding alternative ways of getting their treatment they should explore every possibility that’s available to them in New Zealand first,” he says.

Mr Wall says the sector is waiting to see the new Government public’s health policies.

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