Is Dental Tourism Safe?

Low Prices vs. Safe Health Care

Traveling abroad for low priced health care raises the question:  Is dental tourism—from dental fillings to root canals—safe for US patients?  Unfortunately, there’s no definitive answer to the question, because safety is a combination of factors.  However, there are ways to reduce the safety risks during health travel, including being aware of your surroundings and being (or at least appearing) savvy.  The rapid growth of dental tourism in the past decade has the American Dental Association exploiting those safety risks and making more active attempts to curb the number of Americans leaving home for low priced dental fillings, caps, crowns, and care.  The ADA is raising concerns about the safety of dental tourism, but perhaps the same energy channeled into reducing domestic dental care would be a better deterrent.

Finding Safe Health Care in Mexico

Depending on your mode of travel, the dental work may be the safest part of your visit.  You can find amazingly low priced dental care—from fillings to root canals in Mexico, but good luck crossing the border.  For David Patrone, retired Marine, the commute from San Diego, California to Tijuana, Mexico for a few $20 extractions was the most dangerous part of his dental tourism.  Crossing the US-Mexico border, he nearly faced abduction, mugging, or both, closely escaping what he perceived to be a setup in motion.  After making it to the doctor’s office, Patrone noted the visit lacked a degree of bedside manner US patients are accustomed to; but for the dramatic difference in price, coupled with his lack of dental insurance, it was worthwhile. 

Savvy May Mean Safer When Traveling Abroad for Health Care

The savvy Marine learned a great deal of situational awareness from his time in the military.  Others may not be as accustomed to looming threats, nor prepared to “watch their back,” particularly when all they want are low priced dental fillings.  Learn about the country to which you’re traveling:  crime rates/patterns, where to find help, and danger signs to watch for.  One of the best things you can do to keep safe is to have one or more people you trust accompany you.  Fortunately, there are other Mexican locations outside Tijuana, which offer greater peace of mind for health travelers.  The overall trip including airfare and hotel accommodations may be more costly than crossing the border and catching a cab; but for those who aren’t willing to compromise safety for affordability, money may be less of an object.

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