Dental Tourism - Dentist

It is well known that the United States has a reputation for superb health care. This includes the professional field of dentistry. With the latest technological devices, competitive dental schools and stringent requirements for licensure, one can visit the dentist and be assured that they will receive quality care.

    In order to practice dentistry in the United States a student must complete at least 4 years of post graduate work and receive a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Many dentists also attend internships and residencies to specialize in certain aspects of dentistry. Dentists work with a team of specialists such as dental hygienists, dental assistants, receptionists and lab technicians. These specialists work under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist and are discouraged from practicing independently. Dental therapists are not permitted to practice in the United States. Because of this, the United States has excellent but costly dental health care. Many people in the lower social classes are unable to pay for routine dental care. The government health care programs (such as Medicare and Medicaid) rarely cover dental treatment. Because of this, many people are looking for less expensive alternatives or completely going without dental care.

    Medical tourism, including dental tourism, has become a trend during the past several years. Countries such as Mexico, Spain, Portugal and Costa Rica are hot spots for dental tourism or dental vacations. Often a dentist or dentista will have a clinic right on the beach or in a significant tourist area where their patients can go sightseeing while getting their dental work done. These dentists or dentistas know that many of their patients are on a tight schedule so they tend to do their work quickly without many repeat visits. They use the latest technology, clean water and sterile conditions, providing high quality dental services for a fraction of the price (up to 75% less) than in the US. Some dentistas even guarantee their work for several years.

    Many companies specialize in dental tourism and organize dental vacations, much like a travel agent would. This might include booking hotels on the US border and finding transportation to and from the airport or clinic. Some companies have tour buses that transport retired seniors across the border for dental treatment. In the border towns of Mexico and the US, there can be up to 300 dental offices within walking distance from the border. Most dental teams in these clinics speak English and do everything possible to make the patient feel safe and comfortable.

Although all dental treatments are provided, the most common service rendered is cosmetic dentistry including extreme mouth makeovers, veneers, implants, surgery, crowns and bridges. Because of the amount of seniors they treat, senior dentistry has become one of the top competencies of dentists in Mexico. Patients can also go to the pharmacies in Mexico and get their prescriptions for a lot less than in the United States. Some dental insurance companies reimburse dental work done in Mexico.

Even though prices are considerably lower, providing high quality services is still a priority for dentists practicing in Mexico. All dentists in Mexico are required by law to be licensed. Many Mexican dentists receive their dental degrees in Mexico and then gain advanced training in the United States. They then return to Mexico to practice and teach their colleagues, providing the highest care possible.

    We live in an era of options and opportunity. Dentistry has become quite accessible in the United States, although very expensive. Instead of going without dental care, people are finding their solution through dental tourism.


List of Articles Dental Tourism Back to Main Category	Dental Tourism - Dentist It is well known that the United States has a reputation for superb health care. This includes the professional field of dentistry. With the latest technological devices, competitive dental schools and stringent requirements for licensure, one can visit the dentist and be assured that they will receive quality care. In order to practice dentistry in the United States a student must complete at least 4 years of post graduate work and receive a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Many dentists also attend internships and residencies to specialize in certain aspects of dentistry. Dentists work with a team of specialists such as dental hygienists, dental assistants, receptionists and lab technicians. These specialists work under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist and are discouraged from practicing independently. Dental therapists are not permitted to practice in the United States. Because of this, the United States has excellent but costly dental health care. Many people in the lower social classes are unable to pay for routine dental care. The government health care programs (such as Medicare and Medicaid) rarely cover dental treatment. Because of this, many people are looking for less expensive alternatives or completely going without dental care. Medical tourism, including dental tourism, has become a trend during the past several years. Countries such as Mexico, Spain, Portugal and Costa Rica are hot spots for dental tourism or dental vacations. Often a dentist or dentista will have a clinic right on the beach or in a significant tourist area where their patients can go sightseeing while getting their dental work done. These dentists or dentistas know that many of their patients are on a tight schedule so they tend to do their work quickly without many repeat visits. They use the latest technology, clean water and sterile conditions, providing high quality dental services for a fraction of the price (up to 75% less) than in the US. Some dentistas even guarantee their work for several years. Many companies specialize in dental tourism and organize dental vacations, much like a travel agent would. This might include booking hotels on the US border and finding transportation to and from the airport or clinic. Some companies have tour buses that transport retired seniors across the border for dental treatment. In the border towns of Mexico and the US, there can be up to 300 dental offices within walking distance from the border. Most dental teams in these clinics speak English and do everything possible to make the patient feel safe and comfortable. Although all dental treatments are provided, the most common service rendered is cosmetic dentistry including extreme mouth makeovers, veneers, implants, surgery, crowns and bridges. Because of the amount of seniors they treat, senior dentistry has become one of the top competencies of dentists in Mexico. Patients can also go to the pharmacies in Mexico and get their prescriptions for a lot less than in the United States. Some dental insurance companies reimburse dental work done in Mexico. Even though prices are considerably lower, providing high quality services is still a priority for dentists practicing in Mexico. All dentists in Mexico are required by law to be licensed. Many Mexican dentists receive their dental degrees in Mexico and then gain advanced training in the United States. They then return to Mexico to practice and teach their colleagues, providing the highest care possible. We live in an era of options and opportunity. Dentistry has become quite accessible in the United States, although very expensive. Instead of going without dental care, people are finding their solution through dental tourism.