Medical Tourism: How Far Would You Go for Cheap Dental Work?
Recently, The Today Show has been presenting segments on medical tourism—people who travel to other countries for discounted dental and surgical work. What kind of discounts are people getting? Anywhere from one-eighth to one-tenth the cost of what medical procedures would cost in the states. 
Friday's show reported on the thousands of people traveling to Mexico for dental work. This wasn't news to me; over a year ago my grandfather drove across the border from Sun City, Arizona for a root canal and got what he says was "the best dental work" he's ever had.
The going price for a root canal in Mexico: about $250...compared to about $1,800 in the states.
There are a couple basic reasons for the price disparity:
- The cost of labor is cheaper
- Rental space (for dental practices) is cheaper
- Lab work (including x-rays) is cheaper
The Mexican city of Algodones is now home to over 300 dentists—in a four-block radius. Now, over 15,000 tourists a day are crossing the border to get dental work done there.
More and more tourists are also traveling to India, Thailand, Costa Rica, South Africa and Brazil for major surgery—taking care of their cardiac, orthopedic, neurological and plastic surgery needs at a fraction of what they'd pay in the United States.
But what about the quality of work? Do you get what you pay for?
I was somewhat surprised to learn that all of these countries are home to experienced medical specialists with the latest technologies and some of the facilities in these areas look more like the Ritz Carlton than a surgical ward.
But before you jump on the medical tourism bandwagon, you'll need to consider the following:
Where you receive medical treatment. When it comes to traveling abroad for treatment, you're on you're own. This means doing a lot of research to make sure you'll be in good hands.
Your recuperation time. Major surgeries mean major recuperation time. You'll need to stay abroad to complete your follow-up care.
Travel time. While driving across the border to have a cavity filled may not wreak havoc on your body, a 12-hour plane ride might if you've just had surgery.
Your insurance. Your insurance isn't likely to cover any of your medical expenses in another country, especially when it comes to elective surgery and dental work. They may not cover your expenses if you have complications after returning to the states, either.
When it comes to receiving medical treatment in other countries, one thing is clear: you need to do your homework. Weighing the risks may offset the money-saving benefits for some Americans, but as for my grandfather, I think he'll be seeing more of Algodones in the future.
Comments
I got my calf and pec implants in Encinitas, Mexico...I hear they look pretty darn good.
Unfortunately, I can't see them since I am still blinded by the pain.
Posted by: James Omdahl | April 25, 2006 04:11 PM
Oh, did you go on one of the Cosmetic Vacations? Those sound great.
Posted by: Megan Mahan | April 25, 2006 05:09 PM
"Do your homework" should be the mantra for so-called "medical tourists." I wish there was a better phrase for it because it sounds somewhat ... frivolous ... and it shouldn't. But I can't come up with a better one and no one else has yet, either.
I had dental work in Costa Rica in 2004 and was and am extremely pleased. I wrote a magazine article about the experience then and continued doing research on the subject that ultimately led to a book, titled "Beauty from Afar."
Medical tourism, at this point, has gotten big enough to be recognized as an option, really part of the U.S. health care system, offshore. It's on the radar of insurance co.s, HMOs, government, etc. ... not just cosmetic surgeons, dentists and patients.
Posted by: Jeff Schult | June 28, 2006 09:59 AM
Hi,
I would like to offer the following: Choose a location that is near to the USA (referred to as nearshore). You do this because if for any personal reason you have to cut your trip short and return quickly to the US ie family emergency, business emergency, etc, you will want to know that in a couple of hours you will be at home.
Of the many sites that are out there offering Dental Tourism, choose a location that speaks English as the primary language of daily life. This is so that you won't feel too out of place not being able to communicate easily with your medical team, make new friends, ask simple questions like "Is everyone normally this helpful?", or critical questions like "It wont hurt, will it?" or go to the first class restaurant and think you ordered the noodles when you really ordered the garden hose!
Choose a site that lets you customise actual fun filled activities you want to do while there such as kayaking, river tubing, horseback riding, mountain hiking to 7,402 feet, swim with dolphins, undersea submarine 'walk', shopping, island hopping, horse-racing, sugary- white sand beaches, exciting meals that are from the human food diet chain, party till wee hours, aerial tour, romantic river rafting, fishing, diving, cave exploration, investment opportunities, jazz festivals, reggae festivals, film festivals, para-sailing, canopy flying!, having a drink on the floating bar - in the middle of the ocean! There are so many choices: (I have to stop else I may bore you? :-)
In the event that you have to do numerous procedures, you can easily return to do the continuation of treatment because of the proximity of the destination, should you choose not to do all your procedures all at once.
Also choose a site that is so high on customer service that they actually provide a guide / chaperone at every step of the journey so you never feel abandoned, and lets not forget the free massage with trained therapists!
Now,...bear all of this in mind when you take a look at and use the new (just published!) service called www.toothtourist.com Please look at the site and share your opinion.
Thank you.
Chaise
Posted by: Chaise | July 7, 2006 08:31 AM
I need a colonoscopy.Can anybody suggest cheap& close.Live in S.E. U.S
Posted by: Ramon | October 17, 2006 02:37 PM