Dental tourism is booming across the globe as people endeavour to try and save money on dental treatment. In recent years, thanks to the global recession, an increasing number of people have journeyed abroad looking for ways to save money on both general and cosmetic dentistry. The reality is that some countries charge much less for dental care than others; in countries like the UK, the USA, France, Spain, Canada, and Australia, costs may be up to 60 percent higher than in countries in South and Central America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Why is dental tourism so popular?
Most people choose to go abroad to save money; when you consider that you can afford to go away, have your treatment, and enjoy a 7-night luxury holiday for the same price as having the treatment alone at home, it seems like a no-brainer. The other major selling point is the speed of treatment; most clinics abroad do not have lengthy waiting lists, which can be commonplace in some countries, such as the USA and Australia. Currently, in the US, there is a major shortage of dentists offering reduced-rate care, as many of them have been hit hard by the recession. As a result, millions of people are struggling to access affordable dental treatment and are looking to other countries instead. For patients who live by the Mexican border, simply making the short trip across the frontier could save them hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
Today, new clinics are popping up in countries all over the world, and the boom in dental tourism is allowing dentists to open state-of-the-art surgeries, with all the latest equipment and technology. Some of the clinics offering treatment are much more contemporary and sophisticated than those in the US, and patients can benefit from new, innovative treatments without paying the earth.
Popular destinations for dental tourism
Due to their proximity to the USA and Canada, countries such as Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica are becoming increasingly popular destinations for American and Canadian patients. Costs are up to 70 percent lower than in the USA, and most dentists have a very good knowledge of the English language. Researchers have found that Panama offers excellent standards of safety, as well as enabling patients to pay in US dollars, which makes it easier to work out the overall cost. There were fears about safety in Mexico and Costa Rica; however, dental experts advise patients to research the clinic and dentist they use thoroughly before they agree to go ahead with the trip.
Eastern Europe is a popular destination for patients from Western and Northern Europe and Asian countries, including Thailand and India, which also tend to be popular with dental tourists from New Zealand and Australia.
Finding a dentist and planning your trip
If you simply do an internet search, you may be bombarded with information, special offers, and enticing rhetoric, so try to research your treatment very thoroughly. If you have friends, colleagues, or relatives who have travelled abroad for dental treatment, talk to them about their experience and see if they have any recommendations. Use the internet to narrow down prospective clinics or dentists, read reviews and testimonials, and then make time to visit the organisations when you get to your destination. It is well worth allowing yourself some time to check out the clinics and the dentists when you arrive, or you could arrange a reconnaissance trip if time and budget allow.
If you don’t have time to go out and look for yourself,f nd you can’t go on recommendations, contact a specialist dental tourism agency. In recent years, the boom in tourism of this nature has contributed to the establishment of several specialist companies. The company will be able to arrange the whole trip, and they will only use dentists who are approved and have the appropriate experience and qualifications.
Safety concerns
It is easy to see why many people choose to go abroad for treatment; however, there are some. Some people who target tourists are out to make a quick buck, and this could spell disaster. Take care to choose your clinic, dentist, or agency carefully and do not agree to anything unless you are completely happy to go ahead with the treatment. When budgeting for the trip, take care to allow for additional costs, such as travel and accommodation, and ask about follow-up appointments, as these may require you to return to the clinic, which could incur additional costs.
