Dental care at Picasso — a guide for Tauranga patients

Tauranga is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing cities, and its demographic profile has shifted markedly over the past decade. A substantial proportion of the population are retirees, semi-retirees, or lifestyle-focused professionals who have moved to the Bay of Plenty for quality of life. Many patients in this cohort are managing multiple dental needs accumulated over the years — implants needed on top of existing crowns, full-arch work that has been deferred, or cosmetic treatment planned but not yet started.

This guide is written for Tauranga patients who are thinking seriously about visiting us. It covers what comparable treatment costs locally, how to get from TRG to our clinic, how long to plan for, and how the experience fits around a Bay of Plenty lifestyle.

Prices are from the May 2026 Picasso price list (1 NZD = 15,000 VND). Local benchmarks are from the 2026 Tauranga dental fee survey. Travel data is from 2026 Tauranga logistics research.

Why Tauranga patients visit us

The Bay of Plenty dental market covers a range of practices from suburban general dentistry to specialist clinics. At the lower end of the benchmark range for implants — around NZD 3,980 — the gap with our prices is narrower than in Auckland or Wellington. At the upper end — NZD 8,000 per implant — the saving is substantial.

Where the economics become compelling for most Tauranga patients is at the multiple-tooth or full-arch level. Retirees and older patients who need four, six, or more implants — or who are looking at All-on-4 — face local bills in the range of NZD 22,000 to NZD 40,000 per arch. Many have the time and health to travel; the question is whether the savings justify the logistics.

We also see Tauranga patients who need veneers or cosmetic work — often people in their 50s and 60s who are financially settled and want to address teeth they have wanted to fix for years but have not prioritised until now. At NZD 6,000 for 10 Emax Press veneers at our clinic versus NZD 13,000 to NZD 25,000 locally, the decision often becomes straightforward once the comparison is clear.

We treat each inquiry individually. If the treatment scope does not make the trip worthwhile, we say so. We would rather redirect a patient to a local clinic than have them travel for a small procedure.

Tauranga dental fee context, 2026

The table below uses anonymous Bay of Plenty private-practice benchmarks from the 2026 Tauranga dental fee survey. Picasso prices are converted at 15,000 VND per NZD.

Note that at the lower end of the local implant range (NZD 3,980), the saving before travel for a single implant is modest. The economics become most compelling for patients needing multiple implants, full-arch reconstruction, or a combination of treatments in one trip. Return flights from Auckland are NZD 1,400 to NZD 2,600. Accommodation for a 10-day visit adds NZD 1,600–3,000. Patients with multi-tooth treatment plans typically retain a meaningful net saving.

Getting from Tauranga to our clinic

Tauranga Airport (TRG) operates domestic connections only, with services primarily to Auckland. The frequency is limited compared with AKL. For international travel, the most practical route is to drive to Auckland Airport — approximately 2.5 hours by road from central Tauranga — and depart from there. Some patients choose to fly TRG to AKL (around 45 minutes) to avoid the drive, though this adds cost and complexity for checked luggage.

Tauranga to Auckland parking: AKL long-term parking is available. Alternatively, Bay of Plenty shuttle services connect Tauranga to AKL regularly and are a practical option for 10-day-plus trips. Some patients park at TRG, fly to AKL, and connect from there — worth comparing costs against a direct shuttle.

Plan to arrive in Vietnam the day before your first clinical appointment. Adjust for time zone change — Vietnam is UTC+7, which is 4 hours behind NZST in summer and 5 hours in winter. An evening arrival with a full night of sleep before Day 2 puts you in the best position for a productive consultation.

How long Tauranga patients typically stay

The table below reflects our standard planning guide for Bay of Plenty patients. Treatment type is the primary driver of trip length.

For Tauranga patients with multiple treatment needs — for example, four implants plus a set of crowns — we can often place all implants in the first trip and complete the crown and prosthetics work in the second. This is efficient and avoids a third trip. Discuss your full scope with us at the inquiry stage so we can plan accordingly.

Recovery planning for Bay of Plenty retirees and professionals

Tauranga’s patient mix skews older than Auckland or Wellington, and recovery planning reflects that. For retirees, the main question is not about work leave — it is about physical comfort during recovery and ensuring the trip itself is not exhausting.

Veneer and crown treatment involves no surgery. Sensitivity after tooth preparation is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. The days between appointments — during laboratory fabrication — are light days. Most patients walk, explore the city, and eat normally within 24 hours of the preparation appointment.

Implant surgery involves a more substantive recovery period. The 48 hours after placement involve swelling, a soft diet, and some discomfort managed with prescribed pain relief. By day three, most patients are mobile and comfortable. By day five, swelling has largely resolved. We recommend not flying home within 48 hours of surgery, and ideally waiting 72 hours for long-haul flights.

For patients with any cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, or bone-density concerns — more common in older age groups — we will review your medical history carefully before confirming the treatment plan. Our clinical team communicates with you about any pre-treatment preparations needed, and we will flag if a GP fitness letter is required.

What your visit looks like

The following is a representative schedule for a Tauranga patient visiting for 10 Emax veneers over 9 days.

Day 1 — Travel and arrival. Drive or shuttle to Auckland Airport. Fly to Hanoi via Singapore. Arrive evening, check in, rest.

Day 2 — Consultation. Clinical examination, OPG review, full-mouth photographs, shade selection, treatment plan discussion and confirmation. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions before preparation begins.

Day 3 — Preparation and temporaries. Teeth are prepared under local anaesthetic. Digital impressions are taken. High-quality temporaries are placed and polished. Mild sensitivity expected; over-the-counter pain relief is adequate for most patients. You eat normally that evening.

Day 4 — Rest. Free day. Sensitivity has settled for most patients by the second morning. A short walk and a quiet meal is a typical day four.

Day 5 — Check-in. A brief check appointment confirms the temporaries are comfortable and bite is correct. Adjustments made if needed.

Days 6–7 — Free days. The laboratory is fabricating your veneers. No clinical appointments. Tauranga patients who want gentle sightseeing in Hanoi or a short day trip can use this time freely.

Day 8 — Try-in. Veneers are seated dry for shape, shade, and fit review. You see the result before bonding.

Day 9 — Final bond and departure preparation. Veneers are bonded and polished. Occlusion is checked. You receive care instructions, warranty documents, and a full treatment record. Most patients fly home on Day 10.

Currency and payment

All Picasso quotes are provided in New Zealand dollars. The May 2026 rate is 1 NZD = 15,000 VND. Your itemised NZD estimate is issued before you book flights, so you know the exact cost before committing.

On arrival, all invoicing is in Vietnamese Dong. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at our clinic via POS. VND cash withdrawn from ATMs near our clinic is also accepted. Notify your bank of your travel dates before leaving New Zealand — international card blocks are common without prior notification.

For larger treatment amounts, a currency transfer service such as Wise can reduce conversion costs compared with bank card exchange rates. Our accounts team can provide VND bank transfer details on request if you prefer to transfer funds in advance.

Preparing your records

Before contacting us, gather the following where possible. Incomplete records are fine — we will tell you what else we need.

• A recent OPG (panoramic X-ray) — ideally within the last 12 months
• Photographs: full-face smile, close-up of upper and lower arch, side profiles
• Any treatment plans or quotes from your Tauranga or Bay of Plenty dentist
• List of current medications, particularly blood thinners, bisphosphonates, or any medication that affects bone health or healing
• Relevant medical history: heart conditions, diabetes, previous bone grafting, known allergies
• A brief note on your primary concern and the result you are hoping to achieve

If you have no OPG, send photos and a written description. We will advise whether a conditional estimate is possible or whether we need imaging first.

How to start

Email [email protected] with your photos, OPG, and treatment description.

We respond within 24 hours on business days. Our reply includes an itemised NZD estimate broken down by procedure, material, and implant brand, along with any follow-up questions about your medical history. No fee, no obligation — the purpose of the estimate is to give you accurate numbers before you book anything.

If your plan includes implants, All-on-4, or any treatment that warrants a pre-operative medical review, we will note this in the first response so you can arrange a GP letter before travelling.

Next step

Request a free NZD quote · Dental implants for Tauranga patients · Veneers for Tauranga 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.

Last clinically reviewed

26 May 2026

Published by

Picasso Dental Clinic

Review policy

Every medical procedure page on this site is reviewed by a named Picasso clinician before publication and re-checked when pricing, materials, or protocols change. Source documents are linked at the bottom of each page.