4 best countries for dental tourism
What if you could fly to another country, stay in a nice hotel, get all your dental work done (at a top-notch facility), and partake in leisurely activities – all at a cheaper price than you’d expect to pay in your home country? Whether you need a general dental check-up or a major procedure like wisdom tooth removal, dental tourism allows you to travel abroad to take advantage of excellent and more affordable care in another country.
If you like the sound of that, then you’re certainly not alone. You’re just one of thousands dental tourists each year. But how do you decide which country to go to? In this Pacific Prime Thailand article, we’ll give you a quick rundown of the 4 best countries in the world for dental tourism – though it’s worth pointing out that where you ultimately choose to go will depend on your unique needs, preferences, and of course, the country you’re flying from.
Note: This article will write from a US perspective, assuming that prospective dental tourists are based in the US and comparing local prices with their US equivalent.
1. India
Did you know that dental care in India can cost about 70% less than in the US? You can easily find clinics that have international accreditation and partnerships with Western equivalents. Another huge draw for India is that it has the second largest English-speaking population outside the US, so you’ll have no issue finding an English-speaking dentist. That being said, there can also be many dodgy clinics so be sure to stay clear of those.
Outside of dental care, you’ll have no shortage of things to see and do in the country. India is a vast and diverse country – a subcontinent in its own right, and is home to one of the world’s earliest civilizations. From visiting the Taj Mahal in the North to exploring the backwaters of Kerala in the South, it’ll take you more than a few trips to experience all that the country has to offer.
2. Hungary
Hungary has long been a popular destination for Europeans looking for high-quality, low-cost dental treatments. One can easily hop on a low cost flight from Scandinavia or Western Europe and go on a short trip to the country for dental procedures. For US dental tourists, the cost of dental care is about one-third of what you’d expect to pay in the US, and Hungary can be a good base from which to explore the rest of the continent.
In particular, foodies will enjoy trying Eastern European cuisine found in Hungary. These are typically rich foods like Goulash, Fisherman’s Soup, Meat Pancakes, and more. The capital, Budapest, is also a culturally exciting place to spend some time in. Its architecture rivals any other major city in the world, and it also boasts diverse nightlife and cultural entertainment.
3. Mexico
While Mexico isn’t the cheapest country on this list for dental care, it’s the only country that you can drive to from the US. So it’s no wonder that millions of people travel down south to Mexico each year for their dental needs. Cost savings are not insignificant either, with savings close to 50 or 60%. Plus, savings can also be made on expensive long-haul flights and the time needed to travel.
Here are some of the costs of dental procedures in Mexico (in USD $):
- Dental implants: $450 – $1,600
- All-on-4 implants: $5,600 – $13,200
- Porcelain veneers: $250 – $550
- Dental bridge (3-unit): $420 – $1,250
- Acrylic dentures (upper or lower): $190 – $625
- Root canal: $100 – $305
4. Thailand
Thailand has some of the world’s best dental facilities that’ll enable you to save around 60% of what you’d pay for equivalent services in the US. Most of the top clinics and hospitals are located in the capital, Bangkok, and it’s where you’re likely to find English-speaking dentists. In fact, many hospitals also offer dental packages catering to visitors including various acute, preventative, and cosmetic dental treatments, along with other dental procedures.
Done with your dental procedure? Bangkok will not disappoint as the city has something to offer everyone – whether you’re into visiting temples and cultural sites, shopping at malls or at outdoor markets, drinking and dining, and more. You can also use Bangkok as a stop before heading to one of Thailand’s tropic beaches and islands, or even elsewhere in South East Asia for a longer trip.
Get in touch with Pacific Prime Thailand today!
While traveling abroad for dental care may be cheaper than your home country, the costs of dental treatment can add up – especially if you’re opting for higher end clinics and dental hospitals in the destination country. To safeguard your oral health and ensure you’re covered for any procedure, anywhere in the world, it’s a good idea to have a private health insurance plan with dental coverage, and make sure it affords you international coverage.
Not sure where to begin? Pacific Prime Thailand can help. As an expat-focused, global health insurance brokerage, we have 20+ years of experience helping individuals and families find the right health plan for their needs and budget, and can help you do the same. Our insurance advisors are completely impartial in their recommendations and provide a number of value-added services to support you throughout your insurance journey.
Contact us today to get started!
With over 5 years of experience in the field, Suphanida spends the majority of her day synthesizing complex pieces of insurance-related information and translating this into easy-to-understand, engaging, and effective content across a variety of media such as articles, infographics, whitepapers, videos, and more.
Suphanida is also responsible for planning and publishing three whitepapers released annually by Pacific Prime: The State of Health Insurance Report, The Cost of Health Insurance Report, and The Global Employee Benefits Trends Report. Additionally, she handles the LinkedIn profiles of Pacific Prime’s Founder and CEO, as well as Global HR Lead.
Suphanida’s strengths lie in her strong research and analytical skills, which she has gained from her BA in Politics from the University of Warwick and Erasmus Mundus Joint MA in Journalism from Aarhus University and City, University of London.
Being of Thai-Indian origin and having lived, studied, and worked in Thailand, the UK, and Denmark, Suphanida also has a unique, multicultural perspective that helps her understand the struggles of expats and globetrotters.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to new places and immersing herself in different cultures.
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