Dental Tourism: Good for Your Pocketbook – or Not?



	The high cost of medical care in the U.S. is sending droves of people to other countries for low-cost care. Dubbed “medical tourism,” this new trend is gaining ground, according to numerous news accounts, and includes those people seeking low-cost dental care as well. In this month’s issue of Successful Smiles, I give you the pros and cons of obtaining dental care in another country. Be sure to read my latest article in the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, “Regaining Her Smile, Regaining Her Confidence.” The Journal is a prestigious publication — I am thrilled to be featured in it. Dental Tourism: Good for Your Pocketbook — or Not? By Dr. Helaine Smith Let’s face it, cosmetic dentistry procedures can run into the tens of thousands of dollars if you have multiple problems to correct. If you don’t have dental insurance, and many Americans don’t, you may not be able to afford extensive dental work, which is why more Americans are going overseas for their cosmetic dentistry. A number of countries, including India, Mexico, Hungary, and Singapore, are marketing their medical and dental services to people in wealthier countries, such as the U.S. and Britain. For many Americans, getting their dental work for less than half the cost stateside makes sense. A $65,000 smile makeover is simply out of the range for most people. That same smile, on the other hand, can cost only $15,000 in a country such as Mexico. Add in a few thousand more for airfare and a week’s accommodations and you have a really nice vacation at an exotic location. What to consider when getting work done oversees Cosmetic dentistry and other medial procedures cost less in other countries for one main reason: the medical practitioners in those countries don’t have to comply with the rules and regulations to which U.S. dentists are subject, including blood borne illnesses and infection or medical malpractice insurance. As a dentist who spends three weeks every year volunteering in third world countries, I can tell you from first hand experience that while a few facilities in other countries adhere to U.S. standards, sadly most do not. And, the systems in these countries are not as good as the U.S. Many countries, for example, do not have regulations for infection control, the types of materials that can be used in dental procedures, or how to conduct specific procedures. Many foreign dentists marketing to U.S. consumers state they operate at U.S. standards, that they were educated stateside, or that they worked in premier U.S. facilities or hospitals. However, once they return to their home countries, they are subject to governmental systems vastly different from those in which they trained or were educated. They may try operate at a U.S. standard, but if the local infrastructure is poor, they must work within it. The difference between the U.S. and other countries The system here in the U.S. differs from that of other countries in a variety of ways: Licensing: To obtain a license, U.S. dentists must attend four years at an accredited dental school (this is in addition to our bachelor degrees) and pass national and state dental board examinations. Dental specialties include an additional three or four years of study — which is not the case in other countries. Continuing education: Most U.S. dentists also enroll in continuing education courses in order to keep on top of trends, advances, and new technologies. For example, I’m currently working toward my Mastership with the Academy of General Dentistry; this is on top of the Fellow I earned with the same organization and the intensive course of study I pursued at the Las Vegas Institute of Cosmetic Dentistry. State and Federal regulations: Each state also has a board of dentistry that oversees all practicing dentists — and each board stipulates the rules and regulations all of us must follow. In addition, we must adhere to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. The recommendations include preventing bloodborne pathogens, environmental infection control, and even water quality (waterlines, if not treated properly, grow bacteria). U.S. dentists are required to wear gloves, eye protection, and facial masks when performing procedures. And, most important, we’re required to carry malpractice insurance, which means you can sue a dental practitioner should he or she botch a procedure. Tips for researching overseas dentists Before putting your smile into the hands of a dentist in another country, follow these strategies for ensuring you find the right kind of dentist. (You can find these tips and others at the ADA Website): 1. Check with the health department or ministry of your chosen country to see what national guidelines are in place for dentists. 2. Ask about the qualifications of the dentist who will be treating you. Don’t rely on credentials only. Ask to talk to three or more patients the dentist has seen 6 — 12 months in the past (a former patient may not see problems until six months down the road). 3. Find out where the facility is located and what are its standards of care. 4. When you visit the dentist’s office, look for the following indications of a dentist with high standards: The office is clean and neat. The staff and dentist wash their hands between patients. Staff and dentists wear gloves, eye protection, and face masks. They clean or disinfect surfaces after each treatment or use disposable items whenever possible, including new needles for each patient. The dentist uses an autoclave or dry heat oven to sterilize instruments between patients. Sterile water is used for each procedure. 5. Determine where you’ll recover — will you be near the facility or at a tourist destination not located near the medical facility? Some people find they’re left on their own once the procedure is complete. Will you have access to the dentist after the procedure? If you have to go back in due to an emergency, will you be able to do so easily? 6. Determine what recourse you have should something go wrong with your procedure. Will you have the right to sue? Will you be able to get a refund? Can you file a formal complaint? These are just a few of the questions and concerns to address before you travel outside the U.S. for dental care. For additional information, you can download the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures Travel Guide. Visit www.osap.org, click on “Patients” and then “Travel Guide.” Considering a smile makeover? Whether you need to whiten your smile or want to replace old crowns and bridges, I can help you. To learn more about my cosmetic dentistry services, visit my Website where you’ll find “Before and After” photographs, detailed information about my services, and a beautiful new 3D tour of my Boston dental spa. Or, feel free to call Mary, our office concierge, to set up your private consultation: By phone: 617.327.1350 Through our Website: www.helainesmithdmd.com Email: helainesmithdmd@aol.com Please Share! Please forward this newsletter to your friends and family who are also concerned about having a healthy smile.