Medical Tourism and Dental Care in India

The Medical Tourism Boom in India

Medical tourism, as an industry, is booming in India mainly due to the availability of cheap health care and the high levels of professionalism that the country offers.  India has many state-of-the-art hospitals, highly trained and educated staff, doctors with expertise in most medical fields, a multitude of holiday options, and affordable and cheap health care.  All these factors have helped position the country as a premier medical tourism destination.  Over the past decade, India has been giving Thailand, Malaysia, and other south-Asian countries stiff competition in the medical tourism field. 

Cheap Health Care in Dentistry

Some of the best hospitals for dental care in India offer affordable and professional services to medical tourists.  This is in spite of the fact that oral hygiene does not rate high on the average Indian’s health check-list.  Research figures estimate that close to 90 percent of the country’s population suffers from some form of dental disease.  The best hospitals for dental care in India have been unable to stem the alarmingly high oral cancer figures in the country.  Oral cancer accounts for 40 percent of all cancer cases in India and according to WHO (World Health Organisation) statistics the disease has gained epidemic proportions in the country. One oral cancer related death occurs in India every seven minutes.  Dr Suresh Murke, a prosthodontist and member of the IDA and the Indian Prosthodontist Association opines that  

“People go to a dentist after it’s too late. They ignore any swelling in the mouth and sharp tooth injuries and treat themselves with over-the-counter medicines. Neglect and poor oral hygiene are the reasons for the increase in oral cancer.”   

Medical tourism, especially in the field of dentistry draws a large number of patients to India annually.  This is ironic as the best hospitals for dental care in India, are highly sought after by tourists, while the local population suffers mainly due to ignorance or lack of funds.   

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