Dental tourism is a novel concept; however, it introduces unique challenges that you wouldn’t otherwise face in a domestic setting.
Fabricated credentials, unclear regulations, pricey corrective services—dental professionals and business owners share their perspectives of why dental tourism may not be the answer to your dental woes. Read seven reasons why you may want to rethink your dental tourism plans:
- More Efficient To Stay Local
- Correctional Work Is Expensive
- Regulations Can Vary Between Different Countries
- Lack of Follow Up Care And Upsell
- Confidence In Quality
- Domestic Dental Tourism
- Trust Is Hard To Gain From Far Away
More Efficient To Stay Local
We offer dental SEO services and have learned the ins and outs of many dental practices. In working with dentists, we’ve heard the stories of patients who have engaged in dental tourism, only to find themselves back in the office of their hometown dentist. The main issue we’ve heard about is that if something goes wrong with a dental procedure, it’s not easy to go back to get the procedure corrected. Sometimes, it’s easier and more efficient to stay local.
Brett Farmiloe, Markitors
Correctional Work Is Expensive
What happens if you’re in pain after the work is performed and it’s a 500-mile round trip back to the office that performed the work? The issue with dental or healthcare tourism is that if poor work is performed, the patient will likely have to undergo corrective work by a local dentist or healthcare professional. Not only is this inconvenient, but this can also mean more money spent by a patient. Rather than travel internationally for dental work, consider trusting a local office with a demonstrated set of expertise.
Henry Babichenko, Eurodenture
Regulations Can Vary Between Different Countries
Due to the conveniences of modern travel, tourists can often underestimate the risks of journeying abroad. All traveling comes with some risk, be it exposure to new germs and bacteria or vulnerability to crime in a country with unfamiliar laws and language. Dental tourism also exposes participants to the dangers typical of medical procedures, such as infection and human error. While many countries do have highly educated providers and high standards of care, regulation can vary. Also, tourists can be more prone to exploitation than nationals, as travelers often have no means to verify a dentist’s credentials beyond potentially fabricated reviews and recommendations. Tourists who travel to foreign locales for dental work put themselves at risk for fraud or substandard care, often with no legal recourse should things go awry. Not to mention, finding follow-up care at home can be a delayed and complicated process.
Michael Alexis, Teambuilding
Lack Of Follow Up Care and Upsell
One thing that most international dental clinics don’t get right, despite their best efforts, is post-procedural recovery plans. Obviously, due to logistics and flying back, it’s impossible to follow-up treatments in-person. With things as complex as dental work, Zoom or video conferencing check-ups just won’t cut it. Something that’s annoyed me personally (as a patient) is the commerciality of it. Having had work done in private clinics in Bulgaria, most of the time, they know you’re a one-and-done style customer. Because of that, the upselling begins as soon as you’re in the chair. Only last year, I had whitening done only for them to really push for a further op for wisdom tooth removal later in the week. Having seen my x-rays and being a med student myself, I knew it wasn’t necessary! But that didn’t stop the annoying calls trying to get me in for days afterward.
Will Peach, Content Specialist and Medical Student
Confidence In Quality
Dental tourism might save some money but can also result in unexpected challenges. Varying regulations and standards of dental care make it a viable option only if the quality standards can be assured. When choosing to do so, it’s vital to find a recognized clinic and make sure everything is clear. Sometimes foreign language and different practices related to, e.g., prescription medicine can make it a risky decision.
Michael Sena, Senacea
Domestic Dental Tourism
Dental tourism doesn’t have to mean international travel! The unassuming town of Florence, South Carolina, is famous for several budget-friendly dental clinics that draw patients from throughout the eastern half of the US. Prices are only slightly above international clinics, and you’re receiving first-rate care from highly qualified US-trained dentists.
Joni Holderman, Thrive! Resumes
Trust Is Hard To Gain From Far Away
By definition, dentistry is irreversible surgery on the one tissue in your body that can’t heal itself. Before you go down that road, you want to be sure that the person treating you comes highly recommended by people you know and trust. Just like in your home nation, any country will have world-class dentists and ones you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. The problem is that with limited exposure to the provider, there’s just not much basis on which to tell who you’re dealing with.
Paul Springs, Dr. Mondshine and Associates
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