What Awaits You in Thailand?

The Dangers of Dental Tourism

Most of the dissent and controversy about the dangers of dental tourism revolves around the fact that standards, protocols, and regulations vary vastly among countries.  In the United States, practicing dentists are expected to conform to rigorous federal and state laws, and there are numerous regulations in place to govern issues such as sterilization and infection control.  Consumers tend to feel safer with these regulations in place since it is unlikely that they will be able to afford a second medical vacation to fix any problems that resulted from the first one.  Follow-up procedures in the United States can be quite costly—more so than the original procedure—and some local dentists may refuse to treat former medical tourists for fear of malpractice suits in cases where the damage cannot be satisfactorily corrected.  Dental insurers are showing more interest in medical tourism, but many do not cover follow-up procedures in the United States. 

Covering the Cost of Dentures

While the benefits of a medical vacation are clear, many still have valid concerns about hygiene and quality of care.  With all of these doubts and reservations, then, is it really worth it to consider going abroad to cover the cost of dentures or other dental procedures?  Safety should be a priority for all dental tourists.  Although, for some, going abroad for treatment can be a leap of faith, the jump need not be quite so precarious. 

There are many avenues of information that keep consumers informed and able to make educated decisions.  Thailand, for example, is quickly gaining a reputation for high quality dental care thanks to hospitals like Bumrungrad.  Singling out hospitals and caregivers with an established reputation is extremely important.  Concerns about hygiene and quality of care are typically addressed by major clinics and are often evidenced by continually updated certification from international accreditation agencies.  As with anything, an informed consumer is a safe consumer.  For those willing to do their homework and select only caregivers with a good reputation, the benefits of low cost healthcare and a medical vacation to boot far outweigh the potential risks.  

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