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Dental care at Picasso — a guide for Auckland patients
Practical guide for Auckland patients considering treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic in Vietnam — flights, costs, recovery, and what your visit looks like from Auckland.
Auckland patients visiting Picasso Dental Clinic in Vietnam typically fly from Auckland Airport via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, with return economy fares of NZD 1,400 to NZD 2,200 and treatment costs for dental implants from NZD 2,667, veneers from NZD 600 per unit, and All-on-4 from NZD 14,667 per arch, compared with Auckland private benchmarks of NZD 6,000–7,500, NZD 1,500–2,500, and NZD 25,000–45,000+ respectively.
Auckland has some of the highest private dental fees in New Zealand. That gap — between what treatment costs here and what it costs at our clinic in Vietnam — is the reason a growing number of Auckland patients choose to visit us. This page is a practical planning guide for anyone from Auckland who is considering treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic.
Why Auckland patients choose to visit us
Private dental fees in Auckland reflect a high-cost operating environment: commercial rents, equipment, staffing, and consumables are all priced for one of New Zealand’s most expensive cities. Public dental coverage for adults is limited, waiting times for complex work can stretch into years, and the gap between what insurance rebates and what treatment actually costs is substantial.
For patients who need a single implant, a full set of veneers, or a full-arch reconstruction, the numbers in Auckland often reach a threshold where flying to Vietnam — factoring in flights and accommodation — still produces a meaningful net saving. This is not a tourism decision. It is a clinical one. The purpose of the trip is treatment. The destination is our clinic.
Picasso Dental Clinic operates in Vietnam with Nobel Biocare and Straumann implant systems, Emax and Zirconia restorations, and a clinical team with international training and documented post-treatment records. Auckland patients who contact us do so because they have done their research and want treatment at a named, verifiable facility — not an anonymous price comparison.
Auckland dental fee context, 2026
The table below compares indicative Auckland private-practice benchmarks with Picasso’s May 2026 prices (1 NZD = 15,000 VND). Auckland benchmarks are indicative of private-practice fees based on 2026 research. They are not a quote from any specific practice.
| Treatment | Auckland private benchmark (indicative) | Picasso Vietnam, May 2026 | Indicative saving before travel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single implant (Nobel Biocare / Straumann) | NZD 6,000–7,500 | NZD 2,667 | NZD 3,333–4,833 |
| 10 Emax veneers | NZD 15,000–25,000 | NZD 6,000 | NZD 9,000–19,000 |
| All-on-4 per arch (Nobel / Straumann) | NZD 25,000–45,000+ | NZD 14,667 | NZD 10,333–30,333+ |
Return flights from Auckland typically cost NZD 1,400–2,200 economy. Accommodation in Vietnam near our clinic runs NZD 80–150 per night for budget options and NZD 150–250 per night for mid-range hotels. A 10-day trip budget including flights and accommodation sits in the range of NZD 3,200–5,700 per person. For most complex treatment plans, the net saving remains substantial after all travel costs are included.
Getting from Auckland to our clinic
There are no direct flights from Auckland to Vietnam. All routes connect through a South-East Asian hub, most commonly Singapore (Changi Airport, SIN) or Kuala Lumpur (KUL). The Hanoi branch (HAN) is the most commonly used entry point for our patients; Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) is also served by similar routing and is slightly closer.
| Route | Typical airlines | Return economy fare | Total travel (door-to-door) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKL → SIN → HAN | Singapore Airlines, Scoot | NZD 1,400–2,000 | 14–17 hours | Most consistent connection times |
| AKL → KUL → HAN | Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia | NZD 1,400–2,200 | 15–18 hours | Good availability; KUL has a separate budget terminal |
| AKL → SIN → SGN | Singapore Airlines, Scoot | NZD 1,400–2,000 | 13–16 hours | Slightly shorter than HAN routing |
| AKL → KUL → SGN | Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia | NZD 1,300–2,100 | 14–17 hours | Budget carrier option |
Midweek departures (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) are generally cheaper than weekend flights. Booking 6–10 weeks in advance gives access to the better economy fares. Avoid flying in and attending a clinical appointment on the same day — a minimum one-night rest before your first consultation is standard for our Auckland patients.
How long Auckland patients typically stay
Treatment type determines the number of days required. The table below reflects our standard scheduling for patients travelling from Auckland.
| Treatment | Recommended days in Vietnam | Trip structure |
|---|---|---|
| Veneers, 6–10 units | 7–10 days | Single trip |
| Crowns, 1–6 units | 5–8 days | Single trip |
| Root canal + crown | 5–7 days | Single trip |
| Single implant (Nobel / Straumann) | Trip 1: 4–5 days / Trip 2: 5–7 days | Two trips, 3–6 months apart |
| All-on-4 | Trip 1: 5–7 days / Trip 2: 5–7 days | Two trips |
| Smile makeover (veneers + whitening) | 8–12 days | Single trip |
For two-trip implant and All-on-4 cases, the first trip covers surgical placement and temporary restoration. You return to Auckland and heal over 3–6 months. The second trip covers the final implant crown or definitive prosthesis fit and is shorter. We schedule both trips in advance so you can plan leave accordingly.
Recovery planning for working Aucklanders
Most veneer and crown patients can return to light office work within 24–48 hours of the final fit appointment. Sensitivity settles quickly and the final restoration is in place before you fly home. There is nothing to manage at the office beyond avoiding very hard foods for the first few days.
Implant surgery patients should expect the first 48 hours post-surgery to involve swelling, some discomfort, and a soft diet. Most desk-work patients manage well from day three. We do not recommend booking a flight home within 24 hours of a surgical appointment — allow at least 48 hours before flying, and ideally 72 hours. Auckland patients typically book their return flight for the final day or the day after their last clinical review.
For patients on Auckland’s longer public waitlists who cannot get complex restorative work done quickly, the trip to Vietnam often produces a faster clinical outcome than waiting — and at a fraction of the private fee.
What your visit to our clinic looks like
Below is a typical schedule for an Auckland patient coming for 10 veneers over an 8-day visit. This is a representative itinerary, not a fixed template — your exact schedule is confirmed once we have reviewed your records.
Day 1 — Arrival. You land, check in to your hotel, and rest. No clinical appointments on arrival day. We recommend at least one full night of sleep before your first consultation.
Day 2 — Consultation. You attend our clinic for your initial consultation. Our team reviews your OPG, takes clinical photographs, discusses shade selection and your desired outcome, and confirms the treatment plan. You have the opportunity to ask questions and review any adjustments to the scope before preparation begins.
Day 3 — Tooth preparation and temporaries. Veneer preparation is completed under local anaesthetic. Impressions or digital scans are taken and sent to our laboratory. High-quality temporaries are placed so your teeth are protected and presentable throughout the lab phase. Most patients find they are comfortable enough to eat at a restaurant that evening.
Days 4–7 — Recovery and lab fabrication. Our laboratory fabricates your Emax restorations. You have four days free from clinical appointments. Most Auckland patients use this time to rest, explore the city at a relaxed pace, or work remotely if their role allows. We are reachable if anything needs attention.
Day 8 — Final fit and review. Your completed veneers are fitted, checked for occlusion and aesthetics, and bonded. A post-treatment review confirms the result. You receive your treatment records, care instructions, and warranty documentation. Most patients fly home within one to two days of this appointment.
Combining treatment with annual leave
Auckland patients typically align their dental visit with annual leave. The most common patterns:
One week of leave covers most single-trip treatments — veneers, crowns, smile makeovers — with some buffer. Booking 8–10 days and using 5–7 days of leave gives flexibility without over-committing.
Two weeks of leave is appropriate for complex smile makeovers requiring a longer lab phase or multiple treatment types in the same visit. It also provides buffer if any appointment needs adjustment.
Two-trip implant or All-on-4 cases work well when the first trip is combined with one leave period and the second trip — 3–6 months later — is combined with another. Both trips are typically shorter than a veneer visit. Many Auckland patients time the second trip to coincide with a holiday period they would have taken anyway.
We do not recommend trying to compress a treatment that needs 10 days into 6. If you have a fixed return flight, tell us the date when you first contact us and we will plan the treatment schedule to fit within it — or tell you clearly if the timeframe is not clinically feasible.
Currency and payment
We provide quotes to Auckland patients in New Zealand dollars for planning purposes, using a confirmed exchange rate of 1 NZD = 15,000 VND (updated May 2026). Your itemised NZD estimate is sent before you book flights.
On arrival in Vietnam, all payments are made in Vietnamese Dong. We accept Visa and Mastercard via POS terminal. You can also pay in VND cash withdrawn from local ATMs. Auckland bank ATM fees for Vietnam withdrawals vary — check with your bank before travelling. Notify your bank of your travel dates before departing so your card is not blocked on first use overseas.
The final invoice is in VND at the confirmed rate on arrival. For large treatment amounts, some Auckland patients pre-arrange a foreign currency transfer through a service such as Wise to avoid bank card transaction fees. Our accounts team can provide bank transfer details on request.
Auckland patient stories
We regularly see Auckland patients at our clinic. Many come alone; some bring a partner or friend. Their outcomes are documented in our case records. When you contact us, request to see cases matching your treatment type and approximate age profile — we can share clinical photographs and treatment notes from comparable completed cases to help you assess the standard of our work before committing.
We do not publish patient names or personal details. All case sharing is done directly and in confidence.
What to prepare before contacting us
Gather the following before sending your first message. The more complete your information, the more accurate your initial estimate.
- A recent OPG (panoramic X-ray) — if you have one from the last 12 months
- Full-mouth or problem-area photographs taken in natural light
- Any written quotes you have already received from Auckland practices
- A list of current medications, including any blood thinners or bisphosphonates
- Notes on your dental and medical history — previous implants, crowns, root canals, any systemic conditions
- A description of your primary concern and your outcome goal
If you do not have an OPG, that is fine. We can arrange CBCT scanning at our clinic on Day 2 of your visit. It is useful to have one in advance so we can prepare a more precise treatment plan before you arrive.
How to start
Send your records and a description of your needs to [email protected].
We respond within 24 hours on business days. Our response will include an itemised preliminary estimate in NZD, a list of any additional information we need, and questions about your timeline and medical history. You are not committing to anything at this stage — the estimate is provided before you book flights, so you can make an informed decision with accurate numbers in front of you.
If your treatment plan requires a GP medical fitness letter (implants, All-on-4, complex medical history), we will flag this in our first response so you have time to arrange it before travelling.
Next step
Request a free NZD quote · Dental implants for Auckland patients · Veneers for Auckland patients · Is it safe?
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group
Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design
Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.
Frequently asked questions
How do Auckland patients get to Picasso Dental Clinic?
Auckland patients fly from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), typically via Singapore (SIN) or Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Total travel time door-to-door is approximately 14–18 hours. Return economy fares range from NZD 1,400 to NZD 2,200.
How much do Auckland patients save by treating at Picasso?
At the Nobel Biocare or Straumann tier, a single implant saves Auckland patients NZD 3,333 to NZD 4,833 per tooth versus local benchmarks — before flights. For 10 Emax veneers, the saving is NZD 9,000 to NZD 19,000 before flights. For an All-on-4 arch, NZD 10,333 to NZD 30,333 before flights.
How long do Auckland patients need to stay in Vietnam?
Most standard treatment cases (veneers, crowns, root canals) take 7–10 days. Implant cases require two trips: 4–5 days for placement, then 3–6 months healing in New Zealand, then 5–7 days for the final crown. All-on-4 follows a similar two-trip pattern.
When is the best time for Auckland patients to travel?
April to June and September to October are preferred — Vietnam shoulder season with moderate weather in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and outside New Zealand school holiday peaks.
What do Auckland patients need to bring to their first appointment?
A recent OPG X-ray if available, any existing dental records, photos of the problem area, and written notes on symptoms and previous treatment history. Picasso provides CBCT scanning on-site if needed.
Can Auckland patients get dental quotes before flying?
Yes. Send photos, OPG, and a description of your needs to [email protected]. Picasso returns an itemised NZD estimate before you commit to flights.