I was so scared of the dentist I lost my teeth - now I've got a £12k new grin

Elena Pirsa, 44, originally from Romania and now living in Hemel Hempstead, had avoided the dentist for most of her life after developing a deep fear as a child. She says her phobia left her unable to attend regular check-ups or hygiene appointments, eventually causing severe gum disease, tooth loss and infections.

“I think I went to the dentist maybe five times in my whole life,” she admitted. “I was always scared. But the longer you leave it, the worse it gets - and then you lose confidence too.”

Years of pain and limited options

Elena, who has lived in the UK for 23 years with her husband and three daughters, said her dental health began deteriorating in her 30s when her lower jaw became badly affected by periodontosis (advanced gum disease).

“I ended up losing half of my lower jaw’s teeth,” she said. “For about seven years I could only eat on one side. I cut everything into tiny pieces and avoided certain foods. It wasn’t just painful - it was embarrassing.”

Her confidence also took a hit in her job as an Uber driver. “I speak to people all day,” she said. “You want to smile when you greet them, but I never felt comfortable. I’d catch myself covering my mouth. It makes you shy and self-conscious.”

When she eventually sought help through the NHS, Elena says she received support for pain and infection but was advised that more advanced restorative treatments such as implants weren’t routinely available.

“They did a root canal and put on a crown, but it didn’t last,” she said. “When I asked about implants, I was told it would need to be done privately - and the prices were shocking.”

One private dentist quoted £2,500 per tooth, with the total treatment expected to exceed £30,000.

“I completely understand that the NHS focuses on essential care and emergencies,” she said. “They’ve helped me before and even saved my life when I was seriously ill. But for dental work like this, the modern technology and materials are only available privately - and the costs in the UK are simply too high.”

Turning to Croatia for help

After years of frustration, Elena began researching dental clinics abroad and was recommended Dentum, a leading clinic in Zagreb, Croatia, known for treating hundreds of UK patients each year.

“My friends had been there and said the care and quality were amazing,” she said. “They told me it was professional, with great materials and a fraction of the price.”

She sent her scans and X-rays to the clinic and was quoted £12,000 for a full-mouth restoration - including four implants, full zirconia crowns, two bone augmentations and a sinus lift - completed across several visits over 18 months, with her results fully finished by October 31, 2025.

“The whole process felt so organised,” she said. “They arranged the accommodation, airport transfers - everything. The staff were kind and patient, and I never felt rushed or pressured.”

The cost included accommodation and full support throughout her stay - far less than the £30,000-£35,000 she would have paid privately in the UK.

‘Now I can bite into an apple again’

“The difference is unbelievable,” Elena said. “For years I couldn’t bite anything with my front teeth. I always had to cut food into small pieces. Now I can eat normally - even bite into an apple.

“Before, I avoided smiling in photos or wearing lipstick because I didn’t want people to notice my teeth. Now I smile all the time. People compliment my teeth and ask if they’ve been whitened - I tell them, ‘No, they’re new!’”

Elena says the experience also helped her overcome her lifelong fear of dentists. “I used to panic at the thought of sitting in a chair,” she said. “But the team made me feel completely safe. Now I actually look forward to my check-ups - I’ll always go back to Croatia for them.”

UK patients ‘seeking advanced options’

Dr Andrej Bozic, lead oral surgeon at Dentum, said Elena’s story reflects a growing trend among British patients.

“Many people come to us after struggling to access advanced restorative treatments at home - not because of a lack of care, but because of cost, waiting times or the limits of NHS provision,” he said.

“We now treat more than 1,000 British patients every year, many of whom travel for full-mouth restorations or implant procedures. Our goal is to ensure patients feel safe, supported and informed at every stage.”

He added: “Elena’s case shows how modern dentistry, when done properly, can restore not just someone’s smile, but their confidence and quality of life.”