Dental Tourism: What, Why, And Where

Four in five adults are at least a little afraid of going to the dentist, but why? Not many people relish the pain and discomfort that often come with dental treatments, and the anesthesia isn't much fun either. These days, however, your wallet may just hurt more than anything else if you need serious dental work, and that's a great reason to be terrified of the dentist.

Insurance often covers only rudimentary dental treatments like filling and drilling, and some policies don't even do that. Crowns, bridges, implants, periodontal surgery, full-mouth dental reconstruction and other operations may really set you back. What can you do, besides paying the price or foregoing dental treatment altogether?

Why Dental Tourism — And Why Not?

You know you should see your dentist twice a year for a checkup if nothing else. Plenty of people don't — perhaps because they think there is nothing wrong with their teeth, they don't have time, or they simply don't remember to go, but there can also be more serious reasons to avoid the dentist. 

Perhaps the good clinics near you are closed to new patients, or perhaps you don't have dental insurance and can't afford to pay out of pocket. Some people do see local dentists for checkups and the odd filling, but can't swing the more extensive dental work they really need. Then, there are those who could afford local dental care, but prefer to save money. 

While some dental tourists travel to other countries just to see a dentist or dental surgeon, many people do have other reasons to be at a particular destination. In some cases, taking a vacation — including the airfare and a hotel stay — and receiving dental treatment works out cheaper than the dental treatment alone would in your own country. Though a sore mouth on vacation is hardly ideal, it's better than not being able to go on vacation because you need to pay the dentist! People who are going to a cheaper country to visit relatives or friends anyway can grab the opportunity to investigate the prices and quality of dentistry there, and the same goes for folks taking business trips. 

Going abroad can be a great way to get the dental care you need for a fraction of the price you'd pay at home. Many countries have very skilled dentists, who may even have graduated from universities in your home country. These dentists are also much less likely to be booked for months on end; many can fit you in whenever it is convenient to you. 

Dental tourists who suffer complications after returning home will either need to travel back for further treatment, or seek treatment in their own country. Both options can cost an awful lot more than you anticipated, so taking the possibility that something will go wrong into account is very sane indeed. 

See Also: Dental Health: Things That Ruin Your Smile

Another warning: dentistry isn't the same everywhere in the world. Crowns and bridges, for instance, can be placed in a number of different ways. The techniques a foreign dentist uses are likely to be quite different to the ones employed at dental practices near you, potentially making it quite difficult to get additional treatment in the same tooth locally in the future.

Finally, don't simply rely on relatives or friends in a country you're about to visit for advice. If they've never experienced any other dental care, they are likely to say their own dentist is pretty OK. By blindly trusting their advice, you may end up with a very nasty surprise! Look into the quality of dental care on your own before taking the plunge. 

Top Dental Tourism Destinations By Continent

The Americas

If you're from the United States or Canada, you'll probably want to look for affordable and quality dental care somewhere in the Americas. Mexicomay be most convenient to you, and dentists in border towns are already expecting you. 

That's just the tip of the iceberg. Much cheaper and very quick dental care is available all over Mexico. Prices (and sometimes quality) will vary depending on whether you choose an English-speaking dentist with a fancy clinic or a Spanish-speaking dentist working out of a home clinic.

Costa Rica is another popular dental tourism destination. Dental implants tend to be between 50 and 60 percent cheaper than in the US, and cosmetic dentistry and bridges are both less expensive there as well. What's more, a great many dentists practicing in Costa Rica are licensed by the American Dental Association, adding an additional level of confidence. 

Europe

Hungary, the country with more dentists per capita than any other country in the world, is a very popular dental tourism destination. Agencies that organize everything from your dental treatment to sight-seeing are available to dental tourists, and Budapest is a charming city that will make the pain that comes with your treatment less unpleasant. If you're from the UK, you may save over £1,000 for a dental implant this way, and rural clinics are even cheaper. 

Just south of the border, Serbia has even cheaper dental care on offer. You can expect extremely quick dentistry and skilled dental surgeons. Do be aware that you will almost always have to attend a separate X-ray facility. You get what you pay for — don't go to the cheapest dentist you can find. This will inevitably be an 80-year old who offers spirits instead of instead of anesthesia.

Asia

Thailand, one of Asia's most popular tourist destinations in general, is also famous for its medical tourism. Many people go to get cosmetic surgery here, with varying results. Dentistry will give you similar mixed results, but there are indeed many excellent dental clinics in Thailand. Your key is to know people who live locally and can give you reliable recommendations. Dental treatments that would cost you four digits in the US will cost you three digits in Thailand. 

India is, for many people, the ultimate dream destination. Besides its extremely rich history and many cultures, India also offers highly-skilled medical professionals, including in the dental field. At reputable dental clinics, the best possible dental implants currently go for US$700, while zirconia crowns cost US$200.

General Tips For Dental Tourists

The above countries are very far from the only good options for dental tourists; they just give you some idea of what you might expect if you are hoping to travel abroad for dental treatment. It is important to keep in mind that dental treatment in other countries does come with risks.

See Also: The Shocking Truth about Dentists: They Over-treat

Here are some questions you can look into before deciding to have dental treatment in a particular country, and at a particular clinic:

• Is the dentist licensed with a dental association? What exactly are their credentials?
• What are the hygienic conditions at the clinic like?
• What will happen if you suffer complications? Will your dentist provide corrections free of charge?
• If you need to complain, is there any recourse?