For over 6 years we have assisted people in obtaining dental procedures in the Philippines. The following will attest to the quality of services obtained. The dental program was enhanced by the travel experience brought together by Meditour. Please note that the following testimonials are the opinion of individuals and may not represent the exact views of Meditour.

Read the story by Michael Beatty, from RSPCA Brisbane who had treatment in 2007

Newly released DVD "Appointment in Paradise" see and hear people talking about the dentists
Click here to request a copy to be mailed to you.

Sylvia Stewart - Gold Coast August 2010

If you would like to contact Sylvia on Skype - mebellisimo

Brian San Jose - Sydney August 2010

 First of all I would like to thank you so much for all the help and of course for looking after me 10000%. You are simply the best Dr. ever! The hospitality is second to none. Yes I am very happy with my dental procedure and I’m loving it. I spoke to a few of my friends and they want to inquire about the dental procedure. Of course I trust that you will give them the same hospitality and caring as you did for me. I am speechless till now. The best decision ever!

Leanne Sumich - Brisbane - July 2010

I would just like to thank you for your assistance and recommendations on our hotel and of course the wonderful Dr Joel!!

The people of Manila are just beautiful, the hotel and staff were great, I felt totally safe and cared for by genuine, kind and friendly people the whole time I was there. I never once saw anything in the hotel area or Manila that I was offended by and would love to stay there again, it was vibrant and interesting and I felt very safe with all the security around! The shopping was also GREAT, shame I didn't have more time and money!

Dr Joel and all his staff were lovely, kind and caring, beautiful people and I look forward to seeing them again. They looked after us as though we were their own family and made sure we were always safe and happy!

Now my teeth - what a difference Dr Joel has made to my life! I now have teeth that I had wished for for many, many years and never thought I would ever be able to have! I now have them and I cried when I first saw them, I find it very difficult to not smile at myself in every mirror so as to be able to admire my beautiful, new, white and perfect teeth!!

I would not hesitate to go back to Manila again, to recommend you and your services and of course Dr Joel! In fact I will be taking a family member to Dr Joel next year to also have his teeth fixed and two friends the following year!

So thank you, thank you and thank you to everyone involved in my wonderful Dental Holiday!

Carolyn and Peter Upton, Queensland- May 2010

I booked a cosmetic surgery procedure, along with a holiday to recover through Meditour in Manila, in May 2010.

I was quite apprehensive about having this procedure in a country I had not visited before, with no knowledge of the language, customs, or even the location of the hotel and the clinic I was attending.   Fortunately, right from the moment we left the international airport, we were taken care of by Ms Vinchu Lapid and the team at Meditours.

A chauffeured car drove us to our hotel, where Ms Lapid was waiting for us at reception.  She went through the itinerary for the following day, and provided me and my husband with mobile phones to enable us to keep in contact with her, the clinic and of course, each other. 

The following day, Ms Lapid picked me up from our hotel, and escorted me to the clinic where she introduced me to the doctors and nursing staff.  After my consultation, she drove me to the various laboratories I was required to attend for testing, and returned me to my hotel. 

On the day of my surgery, Ms Lapid drove me to the clinic, and although my surgery took longer than we expected and was not completed until almost 11 o’clock at night, she was waiting outside with my husband, to drive us back to our hotel.

I had a number of follow-up appointments – all of which Ms Lapid accompanied me to.  She was kind and considerate as well as very empathetic when I explained any apprehensions to her.  She even called me and sent emails after I had left Manila, to make sure I was well.

The service provided by Meditour was totally professional.  Ms Lapid was extremely punctual and knowledgeable.  The service offered made this experience so much easier and more pleasant than it could have been.   I would not hesitate to recommend this service to anyone contemplating a holiday that encompassed a medical procedure.

Michelle Chapman - Gold Coast - April 2010

I did love Manila and all the things about pollution and the environment were not true it is a very clean and well kept country

The streets r spotless, and yes we went to the worst part Diposoria and yes we saw poverty but just the same as any other

Asian country.I will say that the men r catered for more so than the women and my husband bought many shirts and shorts from Landmark

And market market and green hill he really did well’ Me well how many shoes handbags and outfits can u wear at a time.

My teeth look wonderful and would recommend any body to go there. Please do not hesitate to give people my email address

As the result is unbelievable’Dr Joel is a wonderful dentist and very gentle no pain what so ever he even says please and thank you. Lisa his assistant Is just excellent and looks after you very well and makes sure that the water does not spray over around or down any

where.

Once again I thank u and Robert for getting it all together for me and please do not hesitate to recommend your clients to

Me as it is quite wonderful

Beverley & Richard Birch - Mt. Isa - November 2009

We have settled in to normal life once again, with many comments on Richard's new teeth from friends and family, even had a few myself.
My new dentures have given me a fresh and younger look, which we ladies are all looking for. Our experience with Dr. Joel has left us both in a
much healthier state, both physically and emotionally, we enjoy smiling a lot more now, more importantly, we are getting better nutrition from a full set of teeth,

so our overall health will be much better as time goes on. We loved Joel and staff, they were more like good friends by the time we left, and we miss them,

Rochele Keen- Brisbane - October 2009

I couldn't have been more honest and happy with the results so far. Meeting both Robert & Glen was terrific (putting names to faces) and they're both confirmed for Brian and I that we had made the right decision venturing to the unknown. We really did have a good first experience travelling to another country considering the reasons behind it.

Ken Jones- Brisbane - July 2009

I have recently returned from my 3^rd overseas dental holiday in the Philippines.I have now had all my teeth crowned and I am more
than happy with final result.

My total cost for dental treatment and 3 holidays (air fare, accommodation and spending money ) was about $18000.

To get all my teeth crowned in Australia I was quoted as $50-60,000 all up, just for the dental work.So I have saved that much money as well as
having 3 memorable holidays which include golfing. staying at the beach(in between dental treatment) and fun night life .

The dentist was professional at all times and had a genuine caring manner. It was obvious from day 1 that she cared more about my well
being and my teeth, rather than how much money she could make (complete contrast to experiences I have had with Australian Dentists)

I’m only sorry I did not know about this many years ago before I paid a fortune to Australian dentists for sub standard treatment..

All my holidays and dental treatment were organised by Meditour. I have no hesitation recommending this to anyone who requires major
dental work done .

 Glenn Johns- Melbourne - April 2009    click here : Watch to Video presentation by Glenn Johns

I am safely back in Australia with my million dollar smile thanks to Dr Joel and Robert.

I want to salamat for all the care, attention to detail, artisanship and friendship you have put into fixing what was a very bad set of teeth.

From picking me up on the day I arrived in the Philippines I felt very comfortable in the knowledge that I was in the best of hands.

Your gentleness was appreciated and you made going to the dentist take on a whole new meaning.

Your expertise is astounding and pricing was truly unbelievable compared to the exorbitant prices that dentists charge here in Australia.

I have brought back with me a Philippines smile that I will cherish forever.

Michal Volensky - Allen Town , USA -November 2008

Thanks for recommending Dr. Nathalie Pflugfelder for my recent dental problem  I broke a rear molar the day before I left for Cebu and was quite concerned, not to mention uncomfortable, because this was a tooth that had been diagnosed as beyond repair 6 yrs, ago by my American dentist.  Dr. Pflugfelder not only saw me on short notice, but provided the most competent and gentle care I have ever undergone.  I was sure the tooth had to come out, but Dr. Pflugfelder not only provided me with a temporary filling and asked me to return upon my next visit in 5 or 6 weeks to befitted for a partial crown.  All this in addition to an x ray for the sum of only 750p, which amounts to about 15.00$ U.S.d, and the most hygienic office I have ever seen.  This procedure would easily have cost a minimum of $125.00 or more in the U.S.  I would recommend Bright Smiles to anyone with a dental problem while abroad, or as your family dentist in Cebu.  

Steve & Grace Conescu- Mackay September 2008

"Just a note to say thanks for your assistance with our Dental Holiday. We are very happy with both the dental work & our accommodation, etc.

The people in Manila were some of the most friendly people we have ever met whilst overseas.

Dr Joel & his wife were great and we enjoyed going out to dinner with them. His dental work is great and we couldn't compare the service with Australian dentists as you would never get that type of service here.

We would thoroughly recommend it to anyone and wouldn't hesitate on doing it again."

Melva - Sydney- July 2008 

"Many Thanks for your help during my stay and dental treatment in Manila. Dr Joel has made a marvellous job of my teeth!! I feel a new woman!! What a wonderful group of friends you have there. Best wishes Melva." ( It was Melva's, in her 60's,  first trip overseas)

Chris -Brisbane- June 2008  

"Dr Gutierrez was amazing. I am so happy with the work he did with my teeth. I will definitely be visiting him in the future. All my friends have seen my teeth and are wrapped.
Thank you so much for all you effort and help, i really appreciate it.
I have already thanked Dr Gutierrez but please once again pass on my gratitude."

Gretchen and Dick of Brisbane -May 2008

"Hi Robert. We are back, very happy. Thanks for your assistance. We both have big smiles, with pearly teeth. Dicks surgery at Beverley Hills was excellent and George says to say hello. Boracay Island was truly peaceful we needed the rest. Thanks again Gretchen" 

Ken Jones of Brisbane- April 2007

"I would like to share my positive experience on a recent trip to the Philippines for major dental work. I had an 18 night holiday in Angeles city (about 1 hour from manila) and I had a very successful experience with Dr Theresa Bondoc-Castro of Smile Makeovers. http://www.smilemakeoverdental.net/ 
All up I had 18 crowns done  including a 5 piece bridge at a total cost of $6,7000 Australian. I had been quoted between $8-10,000 here for the 5 piece bridge alone. Dental , accommodation, airfare and spending money cost me about $10,000 all up. The cost for my dental alone in Australia would have been about $30-40,000 Australian dollars.The dentist had her clinic in a hospital and had excellent hygiene standards, modern equipment (including panoramic x-ray machine) and was herself American trained. Her manner was more professional and caring than any dentist i have met in Australia. The whole time she explained exactly what she was doing and why she was doing it.
Final result is I now have even, white teeth and can actually smile again after many years of being too scared to smile)
In between dental treatment I had a great holiday , including golf, swimming and fun night life. The whole trip was organised by a Brisbane travel agent, Jetset Kenmore who assured me that all dentists they use in the Philippines are of similar high standard.
So as far as I'm concerned there was not any risk in my taking this opportunity to fix my teeth in the Philippines ad there is no way i could have afforded to have it done here.
I would recommend it to any person that requires major dental work , as long as they book through a professional travel agent and not try and find their own dentists .
There are risks in travelling anywhere overseas but I never felt any risk with the dental treatment." 

Bruce from Frankston Victoria.- March 2006

"From first contact with your office after an internet search through to completion of the work it all ran smoothly I gave the trip to my wife, Jan as a surprise Xmas present and she didn't know if to laugh or cry. But the staff at the clinic were professional and talented but more importantly genuinely nice people and from the time we walked in it was a great atmosphere that was maintained throughout. We stayed at the Prince Plaza 2 and upgraded to a deluxe room (recommended) for $10 a night extra and it was comfortable though the AC may struggle in the really humid months (we went in March 06 and it was okay ). Staying close to the surgery is a must if you have lots of work to get done as it can be pretty intensive but there are other very nice (and costly hotels in the area). Jan basically had every tooth treated (including extractions and root canals) only one was not crowned at a total cost of $12000 Aust and it was estimated at $35000 in Aust prior so allow a third as a rule then you wont be short. Expenses over 2 weeks were about $3600 for accom and 2 x flights ex melb just add spending noting food and taxis are very cheap.

You are close to everything from local department stores, Starbucks to Ralph Lauren etc. All staff and people in general are extra friendly and we never felt uncomfortable at any time, make sure you go to Greenfields Shopping centre it has a massive indoor market but bargain hard.

Would we go again a big yes, It has changed Jans life.!!!!."

Colin from the Gold Coast, Queensland.- March 2006

"The cost in Australia was astronomical. By going to the Philippines I could save $45,000 -- that's what I call a saving. I wanted a Western-trained English-speaking dentist, with a guaranteed standard of hygiene. Once I had a name, I booked. Manila is a great place. It's clean, inexpensive, the dentists are English-speaking and Western trained. You can save 75 per cent of dental costs, have a holiday with the savings and still have money left over. My wife is delighted. She thinks she's married to a piano."

Mr Colin Lamont, the Liberal MP for South Brisbane from 1974 to 1978 and the former Queensland chairman of the Australian Council for Education Standards.

From Lynda and Gerry from Brisbane-June 2005

"Just a note to thank you for organising our dental holiday to Manila. Both Gerry and I are so happy with the results. We both had quite a few crowns done plus other items attended to. The courtesy and efficiency of the staff at the clinic is amazing. We were warmly welcomed and nothing was too much trouble. We found the hotel at Prince Plaza, although basic, to be in a great location. Easy walk to the surgery, restaurants and of course shopping, shopping, shopping. There are plenty of more upmarket ones to choose from if you wish. We would not hesitate recommending this dental service to anyone. Once again many thanks. Lynda"

From Joe and Anne from Canberra - April 2005

“I was very impressed with the patience and diligence of the staff. I have never experienced dentists who were so proud of their work. My wife Anne, who normally hates dentists and has nightmares over the fear of needles, kept remarking on the fact that she was so happy that not even the needles hurt let alone the dental work. I was also overwhelmed by the understanding that the dentists had to my needs and my pocket. I estimate we saved well over $10,000. Anne and I have no hesitation in recommending this dental clinic. In addition we had a great time as well. Manila is the home of hospitality and I can’t wait to return. Joe"

A direct comment from a Keith from Byron Bay who was quoted nearly $80,000 for his work to be done here which was over 90% less in Manila-February 2005

"Very happy with dental work. they made me feel very welcome and are a top class outfit. have 15 crowns, had a number of root canals and lots of x-rays. total cost about $6500. lots of pain and a ton of work but would recommend them to anyone.- Keith"