After a dental room scandal left hundreds of patients devastated, a client came to glamjet.com.au with broken implants, severe bone loss, and zero trust. This is the story of how Dr Hung at Queen Anne and glamjet.com.au rebuilt his smile and his confidence.
The Scandal That Left 130+ Patients Stranded
In late 2024, a devastating dental scandal unfolded in Perth, Western Australia. Dr David Hurst, the sole director of Perth Dental Rooms (operated through Hurst Group Pty Ltd), died in December 2024 leaving more than 130 patients with incomplete, botched, or never-started dental implant procedures. Lawyers from Slater and Gordon allege Hurst withdrew over $7 million from the practice before his death, with up to $2.3 million in patient prepayments still unaccounted for.
What made this case particularly heartbreaking was how many patients had accessed their superannuation early to fund procedures costing $40,000 to $70,000 or more. Many were left with broken implants, daily pain, infections, and untreated complications. Others paid in full for procedures that never began.
Hurst had previously been convicted in the UK of defrauding the National Health Service, pleading guilty to 69 counts of theft in 2012. Despite this criminal record, he was permitted to practise dentistry in Australia.
Beyond the financial loss, many patients discovered that finding another dentist willing to take on their revision case was nearly impossible. Revision implant work is complex, carries higher risk than first-time placement, and most practitioners are reluctant to inherit liability for another dentist's failures. Patients described being turned away repeatedly told their case was "too complicated" or "too risky."
Client James (name changed for privacy) came to us was one of those patients. While not a patient specifically from , his story mirrors the experience of many Australians left stranded by poorly executed All-on-4 implant work unable to find anyone locally who would help.
James's Situation: A Textbook Case of Failed All-on-4
When James first contacted Glamjet, he was living with daily pain and had been turned away by multiple Australian practitioners. His previous dentist had performed All-on-4 implant treatment on both his upper and lower jaws. The work was, to put it plainly, not done to an acceptable standard.
After reviewing James's 3D cone beam CT scans, Dr Hung, one of Glamjet's partner implant specialists in Hanoi, Vietnam, with a 98% implant success rate identified a constellation of serious problems:
- Residual root fragment. A retained root near the lower jaw implant in the third quadrant, creating infection risk.
In simple terms: the original treatment used implants that were too small, placed without the structural support needed, and without proper treatment planning. Proper full-arch implant restoration isn't just about placing four posts and screwing teeth on top. It requires careful assessment of bone volume, strategically angled implants of appropriate length, and a prosthetic framework designed to distribute chewing forces evenly which is the kind of engineering that protects both the implants and the bone they sit in.
The Treatment Plan: Rebuilding Everything Properly
Given everything James had been through, trust was the first thing that needed rebuilding. He was understandably nervous about anyone touching his mouth again. So Dr Hung and the Glamjet team designed a phased approach not because the clinical work required three trips (it could be done in two), but because spacing the treatment gave James time to heal, save, and most importantly, experience the quality of care firsthand before committing to the next stage.
1. Upper Jaw Revision
All existing upper implants were removed along with the fractured prosthesis. Due to the significant bone loss, Dr Hung performed bone grafting and a sinus lift procedure to rebuild the foundation. Six new Neodent implants were placed ranging from 14mm to 17mm in length, strategically angled to maximise bone engagement in the areas with the strongest density.
After three days of healing, James received a temporary immediate prosthesis. Unlike his original, this temporary bridge included a lightweight titanium bar connecting all six implants providing proper load distribution and chewing support from day one. This is a detail that many patients don't know to ask about, but it makes an enormous difference to both comfort and long-term implant survival.
2. Lower Jaw Revision
All existing lower implants were removed along with the residual root fragment. A properly planned All-on-6 implant system was placed following correct surgical and prosthetic protocols with implants of appropriate length and angulation for James's specific bone anatomy.
Within three days, James received a new lower temporary prosthesis with the same titanium bar framework. He did a bite test after this trip and was able to eat apples and hard foods comfortably something he hadn't been able to do since his original failed treatment.
The final stage replaces the temporary acrylic bridges with permanent ceramic restorations. Dr Hung uses a thimble bar with individual zirconia crowns which is a premium system where each tooth is a separate crown seated on a precision-milled titanium framework. If a single tooth is ever chipped or damaged, only that one crown needs replacing rather than the entire bridge. They also look remarkably natural.
This type of restoration is rarely offered in Australia because the laboratory and material costs alone run approximately $25,000 per arch before practitioner fees. Through Glamjet, James will receive this upgrade starting from $8,000 AUD per jaw including flights, hotel, and a 10-day holiday.
What Made This Revision Different
- Longer implants (14–17mm vs the original 5–6mm): providing dramatically better anchorage and load-bearing capacity.
- Six implants per arch instead of four: better force distribution and redundancy if any single implant encounters issues.
- Titanium connecting bar on every prosthesis: even the temporaries, ensuring forces are shared across all implants rather than concentrated on individual posts.
- Bone grafting and sinus lift: rebuilding what the previous treatment had destroyed, rather than working around the deficiency.
- 3D-guided surgical planning: every implant position was digitally planned and placed using surgical guides for precision.
- Sleep dentistry: James was under twilight sedation for every surgical procedure, making the experience as comfortable as possible for someone with significant dental anxiety and trauma.
The Investment: Transparent Pricing, No Surprises
One of the reasons patients end up in trouble is a lack of transparent, upfront pricing. Here's exactly what James's revision cost in Vietnam with nothing hidden:
| Treatment | Includes | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper jaw All-on-6 revision (Trip 1) | Neodent implants, bone graft, sinus lift, temporary bridge with titanium bar, flights, 4-star hotel, 10D9N | $14,780 |
| Lower jaw All-on-6 revision (Trip 2) | Neodent implants, surgical planning, temporary bridge with titanium bar, flights, 4-star hotel, 10D9N | $14,790 |
| Both jaws revision with immediate acrylic teeth | Everything above | $29,570 |
| Final ceramic bridge upgrade (Trip 3) | Thimble bar + individual zirconia crowns, flights, hotel, 10D9N | From $8,000/arch |
For context, in Australia, a single-arch All-on-6 revision with bone grafting typically costs $30,000+ at the surgical stage alone before the final prosthetic. A thimble bar with individual zirconia crowns adds approximately $25,000 per arch in laboratory and material fees, plus the dentist's professional fees on top. James's total investment through Glamjet including three international holidays comes in at less than what many Australians pay for a single jaw done locally.
"You are not cutting corners by choosing this option. You're accessing the same premium implant systems with experienced dentists in premium dental clinics that meet international standards." Glamjet Dental Team
Why Couldn't James Find Help in Australia?
This is a question we hear frequently from patients in similar situations, and the answer reveals a gap in Australian dental care that rarely gets discussed openly.
Revision implant work is inherently more complex and carries higher clinical risk than first-time placement. When a dentist takes on a revision case, they're dealing with compromised bone, scar tissue, potential nerve proximity issues, and the unpredictability of how the body has responded to the previous failed treatment. If anything goes wrong, the revising dentist bears the liability not the original practitioner who caused the problem.
This creates a perverse situation where the patients who need help most are the ones least likely to find it. Most Australian implant dentists prefer to work on straightforward first-time cases. They're not being callous. The risk-reward calculation simply discourages them from taking on complex revisions.
Dr Hung, by contrast, has done many revisions and complex implant cases. His 98% implant success rate isn't achieved by cherry-picking easy cases. It's achieved through extensive experience with difficult anatomy, compromised bone, and patients who've been let down before.
What Happens When You Contact Glamjet for a Revision
If you're experiencing problems with existing All-on-4 or All-on-6 implants such as pain, loose prosthetics, bone loss, infection, or a cracked bridge. Here's how the process works:
Visit glamjet.com.au and complete our online form with details about your situation and dental history.
We'll arrange for you to have 3D scans taken at one of our partner dental clinics in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, or Perth. These are forwarded directly to our dental specialists for treatment planning.
Our dentists will review your form, X-rays, and images, then prepare a detailed treatment plan and transparent quote. This typically takes 2–3 business days.
We'll walk you through the treatment plan in plain English. We'll also explain the itinerary, process, aftercare guarantees, and help you explore funding options including early superannuation access or payment plans if needed.
A minimum deposit of $1,200 secures your booking (non-refundable). This covers the 10+ hours of trip planning at $120/hour). We then create a WhatsApp group with you for direct communication throughout your journey.
Pay an additional $3,000 and our travel agent books your flights, hotel, airport transfers, arranges your visa, provides an eSIM for connectivity, and sends travel recommendations. You just pack your bag. You'll pay the rest of package fees at the clinic after face to face consultation with our dentist.
Your Trip: What to Expect Day by Day
Dr Hung operates from clinics in Hanoi and Da Nang, Vietnam. Here's what a typical treatment trip looks like:
Before You Fly
You'll receive your visa 4–5 days before your travel date. We can also arrange visas for a travel companion at $70 per person. An eSIM is provided so you're connected from the moment you land. If you're on any blood-thinning medication, it must be stopped 3 days before surgery. Details are confirmed between our dental team and your GP or specialist beforehand.Day 1: Arrival
Your flight to Hanoi is approximately 9 hours direct from most Australian cities (12–15 hours with a transit via Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, or Hong Kong). You'll receive fast-track immigration clearance clearing the airport in around 15 minutes instead of the usual 1–3 hours. Our driver meets you at arrivals and brings you to your hotel, which is a 4-minute walk from the clinic and located in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter (or minutes from the beach if you choose Da Nang). Rest up.Day 3: Surgery Day
Glamjet staff will be there to support you. Blood pressure is checked again to ensure you're in optimal condition. The implant room is fully sterilised to medical standards. You'll be placed under twilight sedation essentially a comfortable sleep throughout the procedure. Each implant takes approximately 15 minutes to place, with additional time for bone grafting and sinus lift where required. Total surgery time is approximately 2–2.5 hours per jaw. If you're having both jaws done in one trip, the second surgery is scheduled for the following day so you can rest between procedures.Days 4–6: Healing & Temporary Teeth
You'll be on a liquid and soft food diet (think Vietnamese phở — not exactly a hardship) for 2–3 days while initial healing takes place. Pain medication is provided and most patients report the experience as very manageable. After this healing window, your temporary prosthesis with its titanium bar framework is placed. The reason Dr Hung waits a few days rather than loading immediately is that these temporary bridges are heavier and higher quality than standard temporary teeth giving your implants a few extra days to settle improves long-term outcomes.Day 10: Final Check & Fly Home
Dr Hung does a final review and provides detailed instructions on hygiene, cleaning, and care of your new implants. You're encouraged to book regular 6-monthly check-ups and professional cleans with our partner dentists in Australia (costs paid directly to the local dentist). Our driver takes you back to the airport, and you fly home with a working, comfortable set of teeth.Ongoing Care Back Home
Glamjet maintains partnerships with dental clinics across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Perth. We recommend 6-monthly check-ups and professional cleaning, which you book and pay for directly with our partner clinic. If any issues arise between trips, our WhatsApp group stays active and our dental team can consult remotely with your local practitioner. Our dentists in Australia are not responsible for any treatments done overseas and vice versa.