Dental tourism also popularly known as dental vacations in Europe is a part of the medical tourism sector. Here patients in need of dental care, travel outside their present healthcare system and club it with a vacation. Dental tourism is growing worldwide due to increased techniques, materials, and various technological developments that are rapidly happening, allowing providers in developing countries to give dental care at a better cost. The sector is also growing due to people who do not have access to good healthcare or the amount covered is not sufficient for the procedure.

As per dental patients, promise of quality dental care at pocket friendly value has increased the popularity of dental tourism across America. However it is not as simple as it appears, here are some pointers to thing before you opt for the same.

Around 74 million Americans had no dental coverage till the year of 2016. Dental procedures at a time are expensive but mandatory, hence this has led to the growth of dental tourism. Patients now plan vacations to destinations providing better dental care so it fulfills both their purposes. Here the treatment is done at a lower cost and at the same time people have benefits of taking a break.

The American Dental Association acknowledged through an announcement on their website “patients looking for care in foreign countries are growing and it confronts dentists in the United States. There are numerous dentists, many of whom are ADA affiliate members, who are equipped to provide quality care outside of the United States.”

Some of the most popular Dental tourism places are Mexico, Costa Rica, Hungary, Thailand and India. Mexico is popular among those residing in Arizona, California and Texas. Costa Rica is popular with Canadians and people along the East Coast. Hungary is popular for cosmetic oral surgeries, full-mouth restorations and implants. As the motive of dental tourism is saving money, the most common processes are the ones that are expensive in other regions.

The top treatments that are included in dental tourism are dental crowns, dental bridges, root canals, dental veneers and smile correctors. These treatments though expensive in American countries and towns are less expensive in the countries mentioned above. The growing technology and adaptation has made it possible for patients to plan and schedule treatments online. Follow-ups can be done on phone and doctors provide assistance and support even after the patient is back from the dental procedure.

In terms of dental tourism, is clouded with the thoughts that if cheaper it would be of poor quality. It has been proved that the cost of travel tickets, stay and treatment often comes lesser than the amount charged if the treatment is done locally. The prices are pre-defined and shared to patients at the outset thus helping the patient decide which course to take.

However, there is a risk in terms of compliance and maintainance standards of United States. Due to this the hygiene standards might not be met. In the event, if there is a problem in the procedure than it might be more expensive to rectify the same. To avoid any aftereffects of the procedure, patients are advised to understand the procedure properly before opting for the same. Proper research of the doctor and reading of reviews should be done to get the best of services.