Dental tourism is a branch of medical tourism that focuses on dental care and treatment. Due to the rising cost of treatment in developed countries like the US, UK, and Canada, many tourists have considered getting the dental treatment overseas. Also known as dental vacations, this is also considered as a holiday for foreigners, which include accommodations. Some people also choose to make the most out of their stay by touring the city or country.
Advantages
The main consideration for most people opting to get dental care overseas is price. A dental implant will cost about $3000 to $5000 in the US, while in other countries like Mexico and Peru, dental practices offer this treatment for about $900-$1000. Other countries like Thailand and India are also known to offer lower cost in dental care. This will benefit individuals who lack dental insurance and prefer more cost savings by getting quality, dental treatment in another country.
Disadvantages
In dental tourism, there is the concern regarding the quality of treatment. Are the dentist certified to perform the ideal treatment for the patient? Are the facilities and equipment at par with standard in health care? Many people are fixed on getting the dental treatment they need, but they must also make the necessary and thorough inquiries to be assured of the quality of dental care they will be getting abroad.
With the short time of stay during a dental vacation, many experts are also questioning if this is enough to complete the treatment and ensure complete recovery of the patient, especially for more complex procedures like dental implants and root canal surgery. These types of treatments require follow-up sessions to monitor and assess the progress since the initial procedure. Any problems that may arise after the procedure will require attention and care. If the patient is back in his native country and needs dental care for the treatment he or she received overseas, it is not practical and possibly more expensive to travel again to get the necessary dental care. Getting immediate care in his native country might cost even more if a bad procedure needs to be corrected.
These are some of the concerns and issues that anyone should carefully consider before jumping on the next plane to a remote country for a dental procedure. If you ever feel the need to choose dental tourism, choose developing countries that can better assure you of quality care and services. The cost may be slightly cheaper but the assurance of good quality dental treatment is well worth it than the possible troubles and cost you might encounter with an uncertified dental practice overseas.
Source by Christine G Hil
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