Dental tourism is a relatively new concept. People often consider traveling to have dental work done simply because the cost of dental work in the United States is so high. Usually, patients can travel, vacation, and get their dental restoration done for significantly less than the cost of treatment in their home country.
Despite the growing trend, however, many people assume that dental care costs less in places like Mexico or Costa Rica because the quality of care isn’t as high. They may think of traveling for dental work as a means of compromising cost for quality; if you choose unwisely, that could be the case.
Not all dentists or dental offices provide the same quality of care, which is true regardless of your country, just as not all chefs offer 5-star dining. In this article, we will look at how dental tourism works and when it can be a viable option for you.
Traveling for Dental Care
The most common reason people consider traveling for dental care is the cost. Even with a standard medical plan, the cost of prominent dental work can be prohibitive, leading people to neglect problems such as broken or missing teeth, leading to more significant issues such as bone loss and infections.
Understandably, in an uncertain economy, dental work such as dental implants can be seen as a luxury you can’t afford. That’s where dental tourism comes in. In the case of Costa Rica, for example, many of the costs involved in providing dental care are significantly lower, even while they offer the same (or better) level of care. This allows dental offices in Costa Rica to pass those savings on to their customers—savings of between 50% and 70%!
With savings like that, it’s easy to see why many people consider dental tourism a viable option for extensive treatments like Full Mouth restoration or All-on-4 Dental Implants.
Savings Aren’t the Only Reason!
As I’ve mentioned, saving money is the most common reason to choose dental tourism to restore a smile to its former beauty and functionality. However, there are other benefits to becoming a dental tourist.
It is the chance to recuperate amidst Costa Rica or Mexico’s tropical beauty and warm climate. Many choose to combine healthcare and pleasure by escaping the harsh conditions of winter for their treatment, and who can blame them?
Exploring some stunning destinations while saving money on dental care you can’t afford at home is very appealing, especially if your dream destination offers the treatment you need.
Depending on the type of treatment you need, you can enjoy all the same activities and adventures that millions of people come to see every year and still return home with a tan and a brand-new smile to wow your friends. Talk about a win-win!
How Does it Work?
So, the common question people ask is, “How does it work?” It can be reasonably straightforward as long as your passport is up-to-date and you have some vacation time coming up.
The first step is to do a little research. In many cases, your smile is the first thing people will notice about you, so you want to ensure it’s in good hands. Depending on the type of dental restoration you need, you will want to find a dental clinic with experienced staff in dental surgery (for dental implants) and Cosmetic Dentistry (for veneers and crowns).
Look for staff accredited by associations like the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Read their testimonials and speak to their staff. It’s essential to take the time to build a level of trust and choose a clinic that you feel comfortable with.
A professional, well-run clinic will ask you to provide dental records so that they can better assess your needs. They should be willing to do a consultation over the phone, answer questions, and offer multiple treatment options. They should also be willing to discuss the cost of your treatment openly and transparently so that you aren’t surprised by extra fees later.
You will also want to ensure that your chosen clinic employs modern equipment and provides a pleasant, sterile environment. In many cases, you can get a sense of this by visiting its website and looking at photos of the facilities.
Once you have found a clinic you feel comfortable with and they have discussed your options, plans can be made about how long the process will take and when you need to book your trip. Depending on the clinic you choose, details like flight arrangements, hotel accommodations, and transportation may be your responsibility, but some providers handle this.
For example, at Meza Dental, we offer treatments in Cancun, Mexico, and San Jose, Costa Rica, and our staff is dedicated to helping you make all the necessary travel arrangements (even tours) to relax and enjoy your trip.
We think that’s a big plus, so it’s worth investigating as you choose your provider and destination.
Where to Travel for Dental Restoration
As the dental tourism industry grows, so does the list of potential destinations. These destinations generally fall into three main areas of the globe: Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America. In each case, the price difference is significant enough to benefit many people. The main difference when it comes to deciding where to go is distance.
Generally, people in Ireland and the UK head to Turkey, Poland, Hungary, or the Czech Republic for dentistry. People in Asia tend to go to Bali, Malaysia, or the Philippines, and people in North America generally visit Costa Rica, Mexico, or Colombia. Of course, if Bali has always been your dream vacation, and you don’t mind spending two days on a plane, that might be the perfect choice for you!
Because of their proximity, we will concentrate on Latin American destinations and share a bit about each so you can make an informed choice.
Dental Tourism Destinations in Latin America
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is famous worldwide for its advanced medical care, socialized education, and healthcare systems. It is also home to 12 top 30 medical device manufacturers, providing its hospitals and clinics with the newest state-of-the-art equipment. Considering that the country also boasts one of Latin America’s most well-educated labor forces, it’s easy to see how this quiet country has leaped to the forefront of the medical and dental tourism industries.
Costa Rica has something for every traveler, from the calm relaxation and Pura Vida existence in one of only five Blue Zones worldwide to the pure adrenaline rush of a budding adventure tourism industry. Costa Rica is a land of contrast and diversity, of verdant greens and vibrant blues, the perfect place to soak up some sun and explore while you recuperate.
Mexico
It might surprise you that Mexico is the only country in Latin America that manufactures and exports more medical devices than Costa Rica! Enjoying first-class dental restoration in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the southern hemisphere is easy.
Spend your extra time wandering the markets, eating delicious cuisine from street vendors, or exploring the fantastic architecture of nearby Mayan ruins. Mexico’s vibrant culture is sure to please!
Colombia
Colombia is another country with low cost of living and labor costs, which allows it to run with much lower overhead costs. Dental students finish school with much less student debt. All of these things translate to lower prices in dental care when compared to North American Dentists. This has created a boom in the dental tourism industry, allowing visitors to enjoy Colombia’s lush jungle setting and rich culture while they recuperate.
Tour the city’s exotic buildings and museums, or head into the jungle to explore coffee plantations and archaeological sites in search of lost Spanish gold!
Start Your Smile Makeover Today!
As you can see, there are many reasons to consider traveling for dental care, not the least of which is that you will return home with the confidence that a beautiful smile provides and the comfort of fully restored dental health.
No one should have to live with mouth pain, and good dental health shouldn’t have to take second place because of North America’s high cost of dental care. Especially if you can get top-quality care such as:
- full-mouth restoration,
- cosmetic dentistry,
- Implant dentistry (such as veneers),
- Restorative dentistry,
- and all-on-x procedures,
All for less than half the cost of the same treatments in your home country. That is why hundreds of thousands of people from the US travel for their dental care. According to Forbes.com, in 2019, 780,000 Americans chose Dental Tourism to get affordable dental care. In 2019, 780,000 Americans chose Dental Tourism to get affordable dental care. You can, too!
Making the Smart Choice
And while you’re considering dental travel to improve your smile, we hope you consider Meza Dental. We are proud of what we do and have been doing it for a long time! Before we go, here are just a few reasons to consider Meza Dental to improve your smile:
- Meza Dental has two offices available for treatment. One is located in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city. The other is located in Cancun, Mexico. Both offices offer modern equipment and well-trained, personable, English-speaking staff for all your restorative and cosmetic dentistry needs. The hardest part of your decision may very well be choosing between two of the most beautiful tropical destinations in the world! Or, if you can’t decide and are coming for dental implants- you can make one trip to each country!
- We at Meza Dental Care pride ourselves on providing the very best care, using medically advanced techniques and the most up-to-date medical equipment, and we can do that because our highly accredited staff are phenomenal.
- Dr. Meza is the first accredited American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry member in Costa Rica and one of only three in Latin America.
- With over 38 years of combined dental experience and a passion for providing personalized treatment that looks and feels fantastic, our staff is here to help. They will happily answer all your questions and discuss any concerns.
- Every treatment that Meza Dental provides is completely customized to your individual needs by one of our talented and experienced patient coordinators, who will be with you every step of the way.
- You can look at our smile gallery to see our results and hear testimonials from satisfied patients.
We sincerely hope you will take the time to come and see for yourself just how easy it is to get the smile you’ve always wanted. Call or email Meza Dental today to talk to one of our fantastic staff, or get your free estimate and start your smile makeover now!
