Why Do People Travel Abroad For Dental Care?

March 25, 2021

With the medical tourism industry growing at an accelerated rate in recent years, it comes as no shock that thousands of people are flocking abroad for dental care. Countries such as Thailand, Costa Rica and Mexico are the destination of choice for many who are looking to get dental work done away from home, with skyrocketing numbers of people now flocking to different countries for complex dental procedures. So, why exactly is dental tourism so popular, and does it have any downsides that people are unaware of? In today’s article, we look into reasons why people travel abroad for dental care, so read on to find out more!

The Biggest Factor Is Cost

The main reason for the surge in dental tourism over the last decade comes down to something as simple as cost. Private dental treatment can be incredibly expensive, making the idea of travelling overseas to get clear aligners in New Zealand just that bit more alluring for people in need of dental procedures. One can expect to pay up to 70% less for these treatments in countries such as Thailand or Mexico, which is the main reason behind so many people opting for overseas dental treatment.

Time For A Holiday

Another popular reason for travelling abroad for dental care is the fact that many choose to make a holiday out of their trip. Considering both dental treatment and vacationing can rack up a hefty bill, it is no wonder so many people decide to do both at the same time, and at a reduced cost too. Major dental cosmetic surgery for example, has a very short recovery or down time which enables people to spend a majority of their time holidaying or sightseeing instead of staying in bed and recovering.

Lack Of Insurance Coverage

Unfortunately, dental insurance doesn’t always cover the costs of every procedure, leaving many people out of pocket and in search of an overseas dentist who will be able to offer the same procedure for a fraction of the cost.

Efficient Treatment

Another major contributing factor to dental tourism is efficiency of treatment. Dental appointments in your home country more than often are spread out over a number of months. Dental treatment abroad however, can offer you a fair number of treatments in a short period of time which is often a key selling point when it comes to procedures such as dental implants, veneers and braces.

Are There Downsides to Overseas Dental Treatments?

Although dental treatment abroad may save you a ton of money in the short term, many dentists are against crossing borders for major dental procedures. This is due to the fact that there may be lack of regulation when it comes to dentistry in your chosen location, and crucial elements such as follow up appointments are made almost impossible when you engage in the services of a dentist abroad.

Furthermore, when travelling abroad, you expose your body to new germs and bacteria that your immune system may not be resistant to, which can often result in nasty infections and an increased risk of picking up foreign diseases. In highly serious cases where sanitation standards may not be as high as they are supposed to be, you also risk exposing yourself to deadly diseases such as HIV, Herpes and a variety of respiratory diseases that can wreak havoc on your health.

Dental tourism is something that is incredibly enticing for many, considering the amount of money and time that people can save on major dental procedures. As with most things in life, there are many pros and cons of heading abroad for dental work, and it is important that you weigh the factors out before making your final decision. We hope that this article has given you some valuable insight into the industry of dental tourism and why many people choose to cross borders for dental care. 

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