A growing number of Britons are flying overseas looking for cheaper, and often faster, medical treatment. And they are not just after breast implants and tummy tucks...

The latest trend is for dental work. This is not surprising as, according to the Citizens' Advice Bureau, seven million British adults don't have access to a dentist.

The problem became worse in 2006 when new dental contracts were introduced and 1,000 dentists left the NHS.

"With high treatment costs and a shortage of NHS dentists, it's no wonder people are going abroad," says Keith Pollard, managing director of Treatment Abroad, a medical tourism information provider.

"In Hungary - the top spot for dental tourism - a root canal costs £104 compared to the average UK price of £220." According to Treatment Abroad, last year 43 per cent of medical tourists from the UK had dental treatment, 29 per cent cosmetic surgery, 18 per cent for other operations such as hip replacements, and 10 per cent for fertility treatment.