Growing Demand for Affordable Dental Care Propels Cross-Border Tourism
There's nothing quite as frustrating as knowing that you need new dentures, a root canal, or one or more teeth extracted, but not knowing how you're going to pay for it. A vast majority of inhabitants of countries like the United States, Great Britain, Canada, as well as throughout western Europe and Australia must face continually mounting costs for dental treatment.
Many of us focus on health insurance, but most medical insurance policies don't carry dental insurance, which often requires a separate policy. Even so, deductibles, co-pays, and cost of treatments have steadily increased out-of-pocket payments for such individuals.
Thank goodness for a number of countries across borders now providing accessible and affordable treatment for dental patients. One couple living in Phoenix, Arizona, makes a habit of traveling south of the border into Mexico for ongoing and routine dental care.
The husband, needing two root canals, and his wife, requiring a partial denture plate, were more than satisfied with the services - and costs - of their dental care. In addition to enjoying the drive down into beautiful Mexico, the couple were able to receive high-quality and experienced care at a tenth of the cost that they would've paid for the same procedures in the United States.
Cross Border Dental Care an Option
Stories like these are common, especially for Americans living near southern border states. Mexico isn't the only country offering high-quality services at affordable costs when it comes to dental services however. Costa Rica has become one of the most popular destinations not only for vacations, but for dental care in the western hemisphere.
On the other side of the Pacific, India and Thailand are popular destinations for those traveling from Africa, Australia, and Eastern Europe. Turkey is also growing in reputation as a primary and excellent provider of not only dental services, but other fields of health care for those who live in central Europe and countries formed following the dissolution of the USSR.
Finding accessible, affordable and experienced dental care services is easier than ever before. All you have to do now is log onto the Internet and search a variety of facilities and destinations. Many people combine vacations and dental care needs, getting more bang for their buck as well as the opportunity to travel to countries. The costs for airfare and accommodations, in addition to their dental treatments, is often cheaper than the cost of the dental treatment in their own country alone.
Says one frequent traveler to Mexico for dental care, "It makes perfect sense for me to travel south of the border for my dental care. The dentist there is just as experienced and trained as my old dentist, but he charges a fraction of what I was paying here."
Overcoming Hesitance
While many continue to hesitate to cross borders for dental care, research is an important and valuable tool in order to decide where to go. Many follow a step-by-step approach when choosing a foreign dental facility for their care, much as they would do in their own home country:
- Research providers
- Determine costs of care
- Assess travel or accommodation costs
- Read feedback or testimonials provided by former patients
- Ensure that dental providers are trained, certified and licensed to practice
The only difference between crossing a border for dental care and receiving dental care in your current location is the act of travel. However, with costs of dental care steadily rising, and insurance companies covering less, it makes perfect sense to explore cross-border travel options. The concept has caught on in some of the largest countries in the world, where people are fed up with taking huge hits to their wallets when it comes to their dental care options and choices.
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