Dental Tourism English PDF

Dental Tourism California Dental Association ®
1201 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

800.CDA.SMILE cda.org
“Medical tourism” refers to patients traveling abroad for the purpose Patients considering foreign travel to receive dental care should
of obtaining non-emergency health care. “Dental tourism” is a subset include the following considerations in their decision:
of “medical tourism,” and is growing in popularity as an alternative
While one may be planning on traveling outside the U.S. to acquire
for patient care. In discussions on the issue, the Board of Directors
an implant or crown restoration, existing decay, broken fillings,
of the American Dental Association has expressed the view that
and other dental problems and in-process dental treatment should
dental tourism is a symptom of decreased access to dental care, the
be completed before traveling. A foreign dentist might be willing to
increasing cost shift of health care by employer-sponsored group
address conditions other than the one for which the patient is seeking
dental plans to the patient, and the “flattening” of the world in terms
treatment, but additional care which may be routinely covered at
of the rise of a truly global economy and the ease of travel to foreign
home by one’s own dental plan may not be covered if provided
nations. A key concern is the consistency of the quality of care
overseas, or won’t be covered as extensively, as they would be at
provided in other countries.
home.
In a report on health care globalization prepared for the American A dental plan may pay for a portion of care performed by a foreign
Dental Association, it was noted that patients have sought health dentist, or it may not. For a dental plan that allows its enrollees to
care outside their native countries for many years, so in this sense, obtain care from “out of network providers,” does it include coverage
“medical tourism” is nothing new. The report observed, “As the quality for treatment performed outside the United States? Also, importantly,
of health care improved in many areas of the world – a good thing does your dental plan cover “re-dos” if something goes wrong or a
– some patients from the United States are now traveling abroad to procedure performed outside the U.S. needs to be redone?
seek ‘expensive’ health care of acceptable quality at a lower cost.
The appeal of “dental tourism” is the ability to receive treatment that
This ‘medical tourism’ by Americans seeking ‘first world medical care
may be expensive in the U.S. for a much reduced cost in another
at a third world price,’ involves a small number of people now, but
nation. Consequently, most who seek dental care overseas are looking
has the potential to expand.” Increasingly, the travel agent industry is
for care that may also be more complicated. What risks are
packaging so- called “dental holidays” that combine elective care with
associated with such complex care, and are you prepared to respond
vacation tours of a foreign country.
to such risks if realized in a foreign country?
Reva Health Network is an online resource and search engine What recourse will you have in terms of appeal, the possibility of
promoting medical tourism. Reva estimates that over 2.5 million
corrective care, or legal action, if the treatment received is
people a year, from all over the world, search the Internet for unacceptable, or there are complications after treatment? Is there a
information about dental treatment abroad. Reva receives an
complaint process or a method of getting a refund if you are not
estimated 600 inquiries a week on dental tourism alone. Reva-
satisfied with your treatment? While a dental benefit plan may pay a
gathered data shows that patients opting for care outside their home
portion of the care obtained overseas, can your plan intercede on your
countries seek the following procedures: implants (27%), veneers
behalf with the foreign dentist if the care rendered is unsatisfactory?
(20%), crowns (16%), teeth whitening (11%), bridges (9%), braces What are your rights in the home country of the dentist to pursue civil
(6%), all other treatment (11%). action through a court for any negligence on the part of the dentist? In
The favored destinations for dental tourists are: Hungary (31%), such case, will you need to retain a foreign attorney?
Mexico (18%), Poland (17%), Thailand (9%), Turkey (7%), Spain Dentists in the United States must follow stringent infection control
(5%), other countries (13%). and safety standards. Use of rubber or vinyl gloves, face masks, the
sterilization of instruments and decontamination of surfaces,
dentists’ vaccinations against hepatitis B, are standard required
practices of dental offices in the United States.
California Dental Association ®
1201 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

800.CDA.SMILE cda.org
While such basic practices are recognized as standard throughout

most of the world, what are the specific infection controls and safety
procedures followed in the nation you are intending to travel to
for dental care? What regulatory agencies in the foreign country
oversee health and safety standards? Also, patients should review
the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers for
alerts about current public health concerns in foreign countries before
making a commitment to travel overseas for care.
While dental tourism has grown because of the promise of procuring

less expensive treatment outside the United States, patients need to
recognize that the total cost of sought-for care includes the cost of
travel, time commitment, and the potential cost of re-treatment back in
the U.S. if such is necessary. Savings expected by traveling to another
nation to receive dental treatment may be illusory.
• Will any complications be dealt with free of charge?

• Is the work guaranteed over a period of time (e.g., crown or
bridge work guaranteed for up to five years)?
• What professional accreditation does the dentist have, and is
he/she a member of any professional organizations?
• How will follow-up visits be dealt with (some foreign dentists have
offices or partnerships with international dentists)?
• Does he/she have malpractice insurance?
• Can he/she give references?
• How many years has the dentist been in practice?
• What anesthetic will be used?
• How soon after the treatment will you be able to travel home?

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Dental Tourism California Dental Association ®

1201 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

1201 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

While such basic practices are recognized as standard throughout

While dental tourism has grown because of the promise of procuring

• Will any complications be dealt with free of charge?

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