Dental Tourism
Dental tourism (also called dental vacations or dental holidays) is becoming more and more popular. It involves individuals seeking dental care outside of their national borders.
An increasing number of people are traveling overseas in order to gain access to affordable treatment in countries such as: Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Romania, Thailand and others. According to Patients Beyond Borders, over 1.2 million Americans traveled abroad for health and dental care in 2014.
Most people who travel abroad do so to receive the dental care they cannot afford at home. Typically these dentists can take advantage of lower fixed costs, lower labor costs, less government intervention, lower education fees and expenses, and lower insurance costs.
However, while there are plenty of qualified dentists providing good dental care at lower prices, there are also dentists leaving their patients with anything but smiles and a hefty bill to repair faulty work.
Edmon Hewlett, a spokesman for the American Dental Association and a professor at UCLA says:
“My best advice is to plan very carefully … and know what you are signing up for.”
Look at the costs. You need to figure in other expenses in addition to the dental work. This can include the cost of international airfare, hotel room, food and other expenses. Most foreign patients spend at least a week to fit in multiple appointments — and some procedures require several international trips.
Find a reputable dentist. As you are selecting a dentist, make sure to research their education, experience, read reviews and if possible talk to former patients. Don’t assume that one dentist is as good as another. Call potential dentists and speak with them directly about your care options. If you are most comfortable receiving dental care from a professional who speaks English, insist on it.
Plan post-appointment care. Make sure you add recovery time into your travel plans, and also make a plan for follow-up care.
So, if you are considering jumping on the next plane out of town, make sure you do your homework first so that you are prepared for what’s to come.
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