After all, if people can travel for shopping or travel to see a football match, it is no stretch of the imagination that people might travel for dentistry, taking advantage of cheaper prices and, it is claimed, more sophisticated technologies than are available at home.

Indeed, the cost of dental work is a traditional bugbear of those whose teeth are less than pearly - which is almost everybody in Ireland. But, while it might not make sense for people to travel for the sake of a couple of fillings (although people will go as far as Northern Ireland for even relatively minor procedures . . . after all, it is not really that far away), imagine the cost savings of a treatment that would cost tens of thousands in Ireland, but which was available for about a third of the price elsewhere . . . now isn't that worth going almost to the ends of the Earth for?

But the beauty of dental tourism is that people don't have to go to the ends of the earth . . . they can stay within the boundaries of the EU for treatments that are not only well priced, but also highly effective. The former Eastern Bloc countries are now familiar stops on many tourists' itineraries, and there is nothing particularly exotic about visiting Prague, Sofia or Budapest . . . especially since they became part of the wider European family. But what many people may not be aware of is the fact that these are now primary stops on the dental tourist's map . . . with Hungary, perhaps surprisingly, leading the way, closely followed by Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

It does not hurt that the capital cities of these countries are among the most beautiful in the world . . .

Prague and Budapest have been favourites amongst travellers since before the dismantling of the Warsaw Pact. After all, just because you have to have treatment on your teeth does not mean that you cannot enjoy the surrounding during the times that you are not sitting on a dentist's chair.

But the reality is that people come for the prices . . . and stay for the treatments. Take, for example, what is on offer at Dr Mohos' surgery in the Pest part of Budapest, the Hungarian capital city. It operates under the name "Dental Tours" in Ireland, and offers a host of treatments, from essential procedures to cosmetic dental treatments (excluding braces). Surgical procedures can be carried out at the clinic, as well as implants and crowns . . . and all for about a third of what people would pay in Ireland (Dr Mohos quotes a price of 265 for a procedure that can cost 900 at home).

There is, of course, a certain amount of unconscious racism that pervades much Irish thinking about Eastern Europe. Perhaps driven by British-led notions of the supremacy of the West (although British teeth are famously less-than-perfect), there is a notion that the treatments available in Hungary might not be as advanced as what is available in Ireland. But nothing could be further from the truth. To begin with, Dr Mohos' surgery and lab is ISO certified. Secondly, it is a one-stopshop, and because the lab is in the same location as the surgery, there is delay while things have to be sent away for. And far from being inferior, most equipment used in Hungary comes from neighbouring Germany. But, overall, it is the quality that is available at a fraction of the price that is so attractive.

"Much of what we offer is actually more technologically advanced than what is available in Ireland, " said Margaret Molloy of Dental Tours. "And we are not even talking about new treatments . . . we have been doing things in Hungary for 30 years that are not yet available in Ireland."

The price and quality of treatments is one reason to go, but this had been somewhat offset in the past by the cost and hassle of getting to places such as Hungary. But since its accession to the EU, there is no longer a need for a visa, and flights from Dublin are available daily through Malev (the Hungarian national carrier, which also runs a service between Budapest and Cork), and through Aer Lingus. Dental tours can also help with accommodation, although it usually likes to leave that to individuals or associated travel agents.

The majority of treatments (crowns, bridgework) can be done within a week, which might in itself involve four or five visits to the surgery. But even if repeat visits to the dentist or the city are necessary, it is heartening to know that the more work that is required, the more that a person is likely to be saving over the long run. And there are some people who are just looking for an excuse to continually return to some of the most interesting cities in the world.

Top tips for your travelling teeth

-- Ask the dental surgeon what professional memberships, -- How much recovery time will the procedure entail?

--How soon after the operation you can fly home?

-- Ask to see 'before and after' pictures of past
--Will the operation take place in a private hospital or at training and qualifications they hold? (Afterwards go to the relevant association's website to verify that their name is on the list) procedures conducted by your dentist.

What not to do - Go for cosmetic surgery or dentistry based only on - Choose a country based solely on its tourist merits, - Go ahead with a procedure if you're not fully comfort the doctor's clinic?

pictures or email correspondence without fully checking out the reputation of the surgeons, dentists, clinics or hospitals able or happy with what's happening, or with the surgeon who is going to do the procedure. Remember that you are entitled to change your mind at any time, even five minutes before the operation