A job offer, a visa approval or a family move can arrive in the middle of a crown, an implant or a course of orthodontic treatment. The work rarely has to be thrown away, but the handover needs more planning than a change of dentist within the same city. The most useful things you can carry are a complete copy of your records and a letter from your dentist explaining exactly where your treatment is up to.
Leaving the country changes the handover
When you change dentists locally, a missing X-ray or a question about what was done can usually be sorted out with a phone call between practices. Once you are overseas, that is much harder. Time zones, language, different record systems and distance all get in the way, and you cannot easily come back for a quick review. The aim is to leave with everything a new dentist would need, so they do not have to reconstruct your history from scratch.
If you are not moving but are thinking about stopping or changing a plan part-way, our article on changing your mind partway through a dental treatment plan covers that situation.
Ask for your records well before you fly
Australian privacy law gives you a general right to access your personal information, including health information held by a private dental practice. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) says organisations may charge for providing access, but the charge cannot be excessive. Practices must respond within a reasonable period, which the OAIC considers to be about 30 days, so ask early rather than in your last week.
A useful records request covers:
- X-rays, including OPGs and any 3D scans, as digital files in a common format
- digital scan files or impressions, if a crown, veneer, bridge or appliance is being made
- shade notes and clinical photographs for any cosmetic work
- clinical notes on what has been done, with dates
- details of materials and components used, such as the type of implant, crown material or retainer
- a list of any medicines and allergies on your file
Records are not the same as a referral, but if you want to understand how information usually passes between providers, our guide on how a dental referral works explains the general process.
A covering letter does more than a folder of files
A dentist who has never met you may struggle to interpret a stack of images and notes. A short letter from your current dentist fills the gap. It should state the diagnosis, what has been completed, the stage any unfinished work has reached, what the original plan was for finishing it, and anything the next dentist should watch for. Ask for it directly, and keep a printed copy with your hand luggage as well as a digital one.
Treatment that is part-way through
A root canal that has been started
Root canal treatment is often done over more than one visit, with a temporary filling in between. Temporary fillings are not designed to last for months. If you are leaving soon, ask whether the treatment can be completed and the tooth properly sealed before you go, and whether it will need a crown. Leaving a tooth with a temporary filling for a long time can allow bacteria back in.
Implants that are still healing
After an implant is placed, the bone usually needs a few months to bond to it before the final crown is made. If you will leave during that period, ask your dentist what stage you are at, what checks are needed, and whether another practice can attach the crown later. Make sure your records name the implant system and component sizes, because the next dentist needs compatible parts.
Crowns, veneers and bridges at the lab
If a scan or impression has already gone to the lab, ask what happens if you cannot return for the fitting. In some cases a finished restoration can be sent on to another practice with the right paperwork. In others the next dentist will prefer to take new scans. Raise this before the lab work begins if your move date is uncertain, because once teeth have been prepared, a temporary crown is only meant to last a short time.
Orthodontic treatment and retainers
If you are still in braces or aligners, your current dentist and a dentist in your new country will need to agree how treatment will continue, and some cases are better finished before you leave or put on hold with retainers. If treatment has finished, keep wearing your retainers exactly as instructed. Pack them, the case and any spares, and note the retainer type so a replacement can be made if one is lost.
Finish, pause or transfer
For each piece of unfinished work, there are three broad choices: complete it before you leave, make the mouth stable and pause, or hand it over to a new dentist. Which suits you depends on how much time you have, the type of treatment and how likely you are to visit Australia again. A frank conversation about the timeline with your dentist, before you book flights if possible, usually makes the decision clearer.
Checking registration in your new country
Rules for registering dentists differ between countries. Before committing to ongoing treatment, check whether the country has a national dental board or registration body, similar to AHPRA in Australia, and confirm that your new dentist is registered with it. Colleagues, an employer's relocation team or expat groups can be a starting point for names, but registration is the thing to verify.
Insurance before and after the move
Many travel insurance policies cover only emergency dental care, if they cover dental at all, and treatment planned before the policy started is commonly excluded. Read the policy wording or ask the insurer directly. Dental cover in your new country may also sit outside the public health system. If you are cancelling Australian private health extras, check what your current cover pays for any treatment you plan to finish before you go. Our guide to how health insurance covers dental in Australia explains the basics.
What patients ask before relocating
Can I take my X-rays with me?
Yes. You are generally entitled to a copy of your records, and digital X-rays are easy to provide. Practices may charge a fee, but it cannot be excessive. Ask for files your new dentist will be able to open.
How far ahead should I tell my dentist?
As early as you can. Some treatment can be finished in a few weeks, while implants and orthodontics may need months, and records requests can take time.
Is it safe to fly with a temporary crown or filling?
Flying is not usually a problem in itself, but temporary restorations are meant for the short term and can come loose. Ask your dentist whether the work can be finished before you leave, and carry your records in case you need help overseas.
If you are planning a move, the team at Lumi Dental in Melrose Park can provide copies of your records, X-rays and scan files and talk through the timing of any treatment still in progress. You can also see our current offers if you would like a check-up before you go, or read about our general dentistry.
