Dental Tourism - Is it Right for You?

Has your dentist recommended major dental work that exceeds your budget? Have you finally decided to treat yourself to full dental cosmetic restoration but shocked when you get the estimate? Or has your employer discontinued your dental insurance and you need dental care now? If you answer yes to any of these questions and are seeking affordable high quality dental care seemingly out of your reach, then the notion of dental tourism may be right for you. Dental tourism refers to traveling outside of the country to seek dental care, a concept that has increased significantly in the past 10 years. Excessive dental fees and diminished or eliminated insurance coverage have expanded this industry and traveling for dental care is now a viable option for many. Cross border dental care is appropriate for implants, bridge work, restoration or surgery that generally exceeds $5,000 and the cost savings can be up to 70% less than the estimate. Even factoring in travel expenses allows cost savings thereby offering an option where one seemed non-existent. It is possible to have premium quality dental care and a holiday at the same time but you must do your homework. An important consideration when traveling for dental care requires a stay in another country with a different language, customs and currency; your confidence with the chosen clinic and dentist is paramount. Selecting the highest quality dentist office requires careful research and due diligence in determining the best dental provider for you. Many countries do not have the same standards of the United States and Canada and you must understand what these differences are. The number of countries offering dental tourism has expanded in the last few years and determining the quality of the clinic and the experience of the dentist can be daunting. Many questions require thorough answers and clinics must be compared before any decisions can be made. Dental fees and clinic location should not be the driving factors and comprehensive research will help guide you to the clinic just right for you or your family.

Mary Ann Crawford MBA, RN