Episode 49: Why South Africa Is a Top Choice for Dental Tourism

Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (0:05 – 0:47)
Welcome again to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth, the go-to podcast where curiosity
meets dentistry straight from the experts. I’m Eon , and I’m joined once again by Dr Clifford
Yudelman – OptiSmile. We’re about to take another deep dive into the world of dental care
from a consumer’s perspective. Whether you’re looking to brighten your smile or protect your
wallet, we’ve got you covered with this podcast. We’re giving you practical advice and the
latest insights, so do stick around with us for the next half hour or so as we uncover the
secrets to maintaining both your dental health and your finances.
We’ve got Dr Clifford Yudelman again. Welcome back, Doc. How are you?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (0:47 – 1:28)
Thanks, Eon. Thanks for having me back. Great to speak to you again. And yeah, we’ve
been getting very good responses to our yearly series, and I thought we’d extend the dental
tourism podcast that we did to look at things going in the other direction. Today, we’re talking
about why South Africa is a top choice for dental tourism and some of the key benefits and
misconceptions. I had a sneak peek at some of your questions, and I’m looking forward to
answering them.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (1:29 – 1:45)
I’m looking forward to asking them! Now, let me ask you, Dr Yudelman: what might surprise
people who automatically think of places like Turkey or Thailand for dental tourism rather
than good old South Africa?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (1:45 – 3:31)
So many people don’t realise that South Africa has a strong medical and dental reputation,
especially in cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg. The exchange rate can be very
favourable for visitors from the UK, Europe, or even the US—we’re getting a lot of people
now starting to come from the US. South Africa’s cultural diversity often means excellent
English proficiency and a welcoming hospitality. We’ve got a long history of being very
hospitable to overseas people, and we do generally love it, especially in Cape Town. We get,
I believe, over a million tourists a year, largely concentrated in the summer season.
OptiSmile has been going for 10 years now, and we have regulars—many from the UK,
Germany, and Austria—who’ve purchased homes here and spend three or four months in

Cape Town. I just saw a patient today from Stockholm who first came in 2018 after a filling
fell out, which one of my associates fixed. He spends five months a year in Cape Town now
and came back today. He’s still got a dentist in Stockholm, but he’s considering switching
permanently to us because he’s here for such extended periods.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (3:31 – 3:46)
That’s awesome. So beyond the price tag, how does the value proposition of getting work
done in South Africa stack up when you consider quality, exchange rates, and the overall
experience?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (3:47 – 5:59)
It’s not just about paying for dental care—you’re also getting top-level expertise and cutting-
edge technology (“drilling-edge,” if you like puns) and thorough follow-up. Here in Cape
Town alone, there are three or four other practices comparable to OptiSmile. Many of us
originally practised overseas—in the UK or elsewhere—before coming back to set up group
practices and centres of excellence.
Thanks to the favourable exchange rate, your foreign currency goes further, making
premium services more affordable. South Africa’s also been a popular destination for
medical tourism—particularly plastic surgery—for years, and we’re now seeing more and
more complex medical procedures conducted here. For instance, we recently had a patient
who found it difficult to access the right prostate care in Ireland; he came here for his biopsy
and is thinking about robotic surgery in South Africa. We do have very sophisticated medical
care overall, and of course, you can pair your treatment with a truly memorable holiday
experience—anything from safaris to wine tasting.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (6:00 – 6:14)
Absolutely. In terms of professional training and standards, what makes South African dental
qualifications comparable to—or even exceeding—those found elsewhere?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (6:15 – 9:10)
South African dental schools undergo rigorous accreditation. We don’t have many of them,
but the few we do have are top-tier. I went to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), and
our alumni can be found among the best specialists in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Continuing professional development is mandatory—dentists must achieve at least 60 CPD
units a year, overseen by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Even our
dental assistants and oral hygienists require certification.
Plenty of dentists here also have international qualifications. For example, my
prosthodontist, Dr Steyn, specialised in Boston decades ago and has practised implants for
more than 40 years. Other world-class experts include Professor Howard Gluckman and Dr
Mark Bowes, known internationally for digital smile design. We really have a strong cohort of
globally recognised professionals in South Africa. Having practised overseas myself for 32
years, I can vouch for the excellent standards here.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (9:10 – 9:25)
That definitely means a lot coming from you. South Africa also has diverse cultures and
languages. How does this multicultural environment benefit overseas dental patients?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (9:26 – 10:30)

Most people are fluent in English, so language barriers are minimal. There are also plenty of
dentists fluent in German, Dutch, or French here in Cape Town. This diversity makes
international patients feel at ease, and clinics are adept at personalising treatments for
people from all walks of life.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (10:31 – 10:44)
Brilliant. So what unique tourist attractions—like safaris or wine regions—enhance the idea
of combining dental care with a holiday in Cape Town or beyond?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (10:45 – 12:54)
I’ve been back in South Africa for a decade now, and I’m constantly amazed by the range of
experiences. Just in the Western Cape, you have the Garden Route, Mossel Bay,
Plettenberg Bay, Table Mountain, and all the wine regions like Stellenbosch, Paarl, and
Franschhoek. You can take a safari to see the Big Five in places like the Kruger National
Park or enjoy nature reserves along the coastline. It’s easily a multi-week trip if you want to
see it all.
There’s also a new initiative called “Dental Spas and Safaris,” launching soon, which
arranges luxury accommodation and safaris along with high-quality dental care. Cape Town
can really be a one-stop holiday-and-dentist destination.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (12:55 – 13:07)
Very enticing indeed. For those worried about safety or logistics, what do local clinics and
tourism operators do to ensure a safe and comfortable stay?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (13:08 – 14:56)
Cape Town has a robust tourism industry with reliable transport (such as Uber or limo
services) and secure high-end hotels. Many of these clinics are in upmarket neighbourhoods
with good security. We also have dedicated patient coordinators who can handle airport
pickup, arrange accommodation, and suggest reputable tours. Like any big city, you should
avoid certain areas, but you won’t typically need to go anywhere risky for your treatment.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (14:56 – 15:19)
That’s reassuring. Now, how do dental clinics in Cape Town tailor their services for
international patients on tight schedules?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (15:20 – 16:56)
We offer flexible appointments and, crucially, pre-arrival video consultations so we can
plan your treatment even before you arrive. If you only have 10 days, we consolidate
multiple procedures without cutting corners. Digital scans, X-rays, and lab work can be
arranged beforehand to streamline everything.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (16:56 – 17:06)
Are there certain procedures—like cosmetic makeovers or implant surgery—that South
Africa particularly excels at?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (17:06 – 19:41)
Definitely. Full smile makeovers with veneers, crowns, bonding, and digital smile design are
big areas of expertise. We also do guided implant surgery using 3D imaging to ensure
precision. Some practices, like ours, offer a multi-disciplinary approach—prosthodontists,

endodontists, and implant specialists all working under one roof, which really helps tackle
complex cases efficiently.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (19:42 – 19:57)
Got it. Could you address some common misconceptions—such as the travel distance,
healthcare infrastructure, or just the idea of Africa generally?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (19:58 – 22:25)
People sometimes still assume that Africa means limited facilities or basic infrastructure,
which simply isn’t true for Cape Town or Johannesburg. We have modern airports, direct
flights from many global hubs, and highly advanced clinics. It’s a long flight for some, sure,
but it can be worth it financially and for the overall quality of care. In my experience, we
match—or even exceed—the standards I’ve seen overseas.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (22:26 – 22:32)
So you’re definitely not working out of a hut then?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (22:35 – 22:36)
(Laughs) Precisely—no huts here!
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (22:36 – 22:46)
Good to know! If someone’s on the fence, what’s the single biggest reason to choose South
Africa for their dental journey?
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (22:46 – 24:20)
In short: world-class treatment at a better price, plus the chance for a phenomenal
holiday. With the exchange rate, your pound, euro, or dollar goes much further, and you can
enjoy safaris, beaches, and some of the best hospitality around. Our Google reviews
frequently mention not only the dentistry but also the positive, welcoming atmosphere that’s
quite distinct here.
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (24:20 – 24:45)
That’s fantastic. Another excellent episode—thank you for sharing your expertise. This is
Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth, and we’ve been speaking to Dr Clifford Yudelman.
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (24:46 – 25:27)
My pleasure, Eon. For listeners just tuning in, check out our earlier episodes—especially if
you want to learn more about dental tourism. Up next, we’ll explore the advanced technology
behind the scenes and offer practical steps for planning your trip. We’re on a roll with the
dental tourism theme!
Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio-SA (25:27 – 26:00)
Indeed we are. And thanks to everyone for listening. Remember, while we provide valuable
insight here, always consult a dental professional for advice specific to your situation. Don’t
forget to subscribe and join us next time for more ways to keep your teeth—and your
finances—healthy. Until then, keep smiling and take great care of your teeth.
Announcer (26:20 – 27:06)

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