Dubai Dental Nightmare: UK Woman's Smile Ruined

Jade Morgan, a 36-year-old mother of three from Liverpool, has recounted a harrowing experience with cosmetic dental work undertaken in Dubai. Morgan traveled to Dubai in March 2025 seeking porcelain veneers, attracted by a lower price than available in the UK. She paid £2,800 for the procedure, excluding travel and accommodation expenses.

Unlike the meticulous, staged process common in the UK, Morgan's entire dental treatment was concluded within a mere four days. She reported minimal direct interaction with the primary dentist, with an assistant performing most of the preparatory work. Morgan only met the dentist on the final day when the custom veneers were ready for fitting. She felt the process lacked personal investment, contrasting sharply with UK practices where temporary veneers allow for adjustments before final placement.

Upon having the veneers permanently fitted, Morgan immediately recognized issues with their color and, critically, her bite. She was then subjected to nearly two hours of drilling by another clinician to correct the bite, though she felt it remained unnatural. Despite this, she was advised to let it settle before her scheduled flight home the next day.

Two weeks post-return to the UK, Morgan experienced a fractured front tooth and persistent gum bleeding, conditions she had not previously encountered. The prospect of returning to Dubai for corrective measures meant incurring additional significant costs for flights and accommodation. Seeking help closer to home, she consulted a UK dentist who successfully repaired her broken tooth and initiated a plan to replace all the veneers.

Robbie Hughes, owner of Dental Excellence, commented on Morgan's case, noting it is not uncommon. He emphasized that while patients may believe they are saving money, the overall expense, including travel, accommodation, and potential follow-up corrective treatments, can far exceed the initial savings. Hughes also stressed the importance of thorough planning, phased treatment, and accessible aftercare, warning that simple cost comparisons can be deceptive.