We all have teeth now: Australian brothers celebrate after treatment at Elite Dental Center

John, who faced severe dental issues after losing most of his teeth, received dental implants and temporary teeth due to porous bone challenges. He will return in six months to complete the implant integration and finalize his full restoration.

John and Richard Garstones at Elite Dental Center in HCMC. Photo courtesy of Elite Dental Center

Richard, who had used dentures for five years, now enjoys a full set of teeth and a rejuvenated sense of self. The brothers have been enthusiastically sharing their experience with friends in Derby, where they have worked as driving instructors for many years.

Their trip was made possible by Vietnamese girls who are living and working in Derby on special visas, John said. Grateful for the driving lessons they received from the Garstones, the community arranged Vietnam visas and flights for the brothers as a thank-you gesture. "The girls threw us a small party when they got their learning permits and decided to send us to Vietnam as a way of saying thanks. They covered all the travel expenses," John said. "It made the experience even more special."

From Derby, the twin came to Broome and fly to Singapore and get connected to Ho Chi Minh City. They said it was really cheap for return tickets from Broome to Ho Chi Minh, as they flew with Singapore’s low cost Scoot. John said it was around 600 Australian dollars for a return in September and October.

Though the brothers have traveled to Bali, Bangkok, Pattaya, Manila, and Davao, this was their first visit to Vietnam. John praised the quality of care they received: "The facilities, staff, and treatment at Elite Dental Center exceeded our expectations. The prices were significantly lower than in Australia, and the level of care has been fantastic."

'Global quality, local hospitality’ is the slogan of Elite Dental Center. Photo courtesy of Elite Dental Center

John mentioned that if he had chosen to have his entire arch done in Perth, it would have cost a fortune. "We have to fly from Derby to Perth, but the airfare is not favourable - it’s much higher than flying here. The dentists there might charge at least 50,000 to 60,000 Australian dollars. Additionally, we would need to pay a few hundred dollars per night for hotel stays."

In contrast, Bali, Pattaya, or Davao offer cheaper options, ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 US dollars. "However, the complications I experienced after dental treatment in Davao led me to seek better and more reliable options. Vietnam has the offer we are looking for," John explained.

During their first few days in Ho Chi Minh City, the Garstone brothers received "an incredible package offer" from Turkey via Facebook. "It was only 5,000 US dollars and promised completion in just one day. We even considered changing our tickets to fly to Istanbul. However, after visiting Elite’s clinic, we decided to stay here," John recalled, noting the unlikelihood of completing a full mouth implant in just one day and the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

"We all have teeth now," he said.

The Garstones plan to return to Vietnam in six months to complete John's treatment. As always, Richard will accompany him, continuing their lifelong tradition of experiencing life together.

Nguyen Diep Kim Thuy, Business Director of Elite Dental Center, expressed her excitement: "John and Richard are our first clients from rural Australia, and we’re delighted to see more Australian seniors choosing our clinic for their dental needs."