Is Dental Tourism Safe?

Dental care in the U.S. can be very expensive — especially if you need a complex procedure or are one of the 77 million American adults (3 in 10) who lack dental insurance. But if you’re willing to leave the country temporarily, it’s possible for you to get high-quality dental care at a lower price.

The practice of traveling for dental care is called dental tourism. In some cases, you could pay less for your airfare, hotel, expenses, and dental procedure put together than you’d pay for just the dental work back home. And many countries offer excellent dental care.

But there are a few things to consider before you hop on a plane.

Why do people go abroad for dental care?

Cost is the primary reason Americans seek dental care in other countries. According to medical tourism guide Patients Beyond Borders, Americans who travel for dental work could save as much as 90%.

Here’s an example: In the U.S., paying out of pocket, 4 crowns will likely run you $1,500 each, or $6,000 in total. Meanwhile, Dental Departures reports that a crown in Mexico costs around $500. Thus, four crowns would cost $2,000. Savings: $4,000.

Let’s add in other expected costs. For our example, suppose you and a friend plan to fly from Denver, Colorado, to Cancun. You’ll stay in Mexico for 10 days. This will be enough time for your crowns to be manufactured. It will also give you some vacation days to enjoy before, between, and after sessions in the dental chair.

Your costs for travel could include:

• Airfare for two: $190 per person round trip on Frontier, or $380

• Hotel for two: $130 per night for 9 nights, or $1,170

• Food for two: $400

• Taxis to and from the airport and to your appointments: $150

Those costs add up to $2,100.

Overall, 4 crowns and 10 days at the beach in Cancun with a friend would cost you a grand total of $4,100. At home, you’d be spending $6,000 for the crowns alone. That’s a savings of more than 30%.

Is dental tourism safe?

Dental tourism has its risks but can also be quite safe. Before you pack your bags and buy a ticket, it pays to do your due diligence.

Here are some aspects to consider:

• Safety of your destination: Are there any serious dangers you need to be aware of in the country? You can start by checking for travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

• Your language skills: The ability to communicate your medical and dental issues is key. Unless you can speak your destination country’s language, you’ll probably need a clinic with English-speaking staff.

• Standards for dental practices: The CDC offers a checklist of questions to help you maximize your chances of getting safe, hygienic dental care from a clinic in another country.

• The particular clinic you choose: Check to see if there’s any health-grade information on the clinic from the government or other dental authority. Also, you can read reviews from patients at sites like Whatclinic.com.

• The training of the dentists at the clinic: How were the providers educated? “American-trained” could mean the dentist graduated from an American university — or attended a weekend seminar. You may want to find out how long the dentist has been practicing, or whether they belong to an international dental association.

• Whether to set up the dentist appointments yourself or book them through a company: There are private companies and medical concierge services that can match you with U.S.-trained providers and English-speaking accredited facilities in dozens of countries. Dental Travel Services and Dental Departures are two examples.

Which country is the most popular country for dental work?

A country becomes popular for dental tourism if it’s affordable yet still meets a high standard of care. In 2020, Patients Beyond Borders identified Americans’ favorite dental tourism destinations:

• Mexico

• Thailand

• Hungary

• Spain

• Poland

• Costa Rica

• The Philippines

• Malaysia

• Turkey 

• The Czech Republic 

Unfortunately, the pandemic has disrupted travel to some of these countries, but not all.

What are the average costs of dental care abroad?

According to Patients Beyond Borders, over 90% of U.S. patients who travel for dental care go to Costa Rica or Mexico. Dental Departures has 2022 price data for those countries, plus some other popular dental destinations that are accessible for travel despite the pandemic.

What is the cheapest country for dental work?

Americans can save 70% or more on dental work by traveling to Thailand, where, for example, veneers cost $425 per tooth, rather than the typical U.S. price of $1,575. But the cheapest country for you will likely depend on where in the U.S. you’re located.

• If you’re in New York, airfare to Hungary (where veneers can go for $370) is less than a ticket to Malaysia (where they average $247).

• If you’re flying from Los Angeles, Thailand might be practical.

• If you’re driving from Texas, Mexico would be the obvious choice.

What are the benefits and risks of having dental work done abroad?

The primary benefits of having dental work done abroad are cost savings on the procedures and the opportunity to take a vacation — while possibly still saving money.

In general, the risks have to do with your health.

As noted above, it’s a good idea to find out about the medical hygiene regulations in your destination country and how they are enforced. Proper sanitation helps prevent infectious diseases and antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Existing health conditions, such as diabetes, can increase the risk of complications from dental procedures. You may want to discuss with a healthcare provider how your current health might affect your planned dental work, and vice versa.

Tips for having a good dental tourism experience

• Don’t shop for the lowest possible cost. Patients Beyond Borders cautions that you run a risk of getting low-quality care by dentists who may not be qualified. Instead, the company recommends you thoroughly research clinics and dentists you are considering. Read independent reviews of them when possible.

• Bring a copy of your dental records with you when you leave the country. It’s wise to bring your medical insurance information with you, too.

• Get a record of the work done while you are traveling and bring it to your regular dentist. If you have complications later, your local dentist has a duty to treat you. They will need the specific details of the work that was done, the materials used, and any images of your teeth.

• If you don’t have a regular dentist at home, make a plan for who will see you in case of complications. It’s a good idea to check in advance that the local dentist will accept you as a patient.

• Before you go, verify all information you have about the provider and clinic.

• At the clinic, ask questions about infection control. It might be uncomfortable to ask if they use new needles and gloves with every patient and how they sterilize water and instruments, but not nearly as uncomfortable as an infectious disease.

• Ask what happens if something goes wrong during or after treatment. Is there a process for getting a refund? What can you do if the treatment is unsatisfactory or harmful?

• Finally, schedule your dental work so that you have time in the country afterward. That way, if you need an adjustment or have a problem, you can go right back to the dentist. You’ll also reduce the risks of traveling too soon after a medical procedure.

Are there insurance options available for dental work done abroad?

Most U.S. dental insurance won’t cover any treatments abroad, with possible exceptions for emergencies. You might want travel medical insurance to make sure you’re covered for those emergencies.

Will my insurance cover any problems related to dental care done abroad?

Probably not. U.S. medical insurance doesn’t usually cover expenses incurred abroad, such as doctor or hospital visits if you have complications from dental work. At the same time, some insurers and large employers have agreements with providers outside the country, so it’s worth asking.

The CDC has a list of suggested questions to ask your insurance company before you go. The answers will help you decide if you need travel medical insurance.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sheila Miller Edwards, PhD

Sheila Miller Edwards, PhD, is a writer, editor, mathematician, and teacher living in northern New Mexico.

Edited by:

Caren Weiner, MSIS

Caren Weiner, MSIS, began her personal finance journalism career in 1986. She worked as a reporter for Money magazine and co-wrote its book-length “Guide to the 1986 Tax Reform Act.” From the beginning, she immersed herself in data on mutual fund total returns and marginal tax rates.

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