In the last decade, medical tourism has exponentially increased, leading to a lot of patients asking if going abroad is the best option to get dental work. Doctors have set up clinics in different parts of the world such as Mexico or Costa Rica where they specifically cater to and accommodate traveling patients from abroad. Whether it’s from planning hotel rooms to completing multi-stage treatments in the least number of days, these clinics perform major irreversible procedures in the most efficient way to allow the patient to travel back to their country in time. Usually, patients choose this option because it is much less expensive, and they get to go on vacation or visit a new destination.
In dentistry, getting major procedures like porcelain veneers, dental implants, and full smile makeovers outside of the United States is pretty common. There are many other places around the world, other than the US, that are hot spots for these types of treatments. However, in Dr. Argina Kudaverdian’s experience, seeing patients who have had dental work done in countries outside of the United States has been mixed. While there are cases where the quality is superb and consistent with dentistry here, most often, she sees complications and sub-standard work where the patient is now seeking help to correct the problems. Usually, patients end up spending way more money to fix or redo the work that was done. If the patient can return to the dentist abroad, they end up spending much more than expected because of the travel costs (i.e. hotel rooms and flight tickets) to go back and forth for multiple treatments.
The following is a list of factors to consider before choosing to get dental work abroad.
- High-Quality Standards: Dental practices in the US are often held to high standards in terms of hygiene, safety, and quality of care.
- Regulations and Licensing: Dentists in the US undergo rigorous training and must be licensed to practice. Standards and regulations vary from country to country, so it’s important to verify the credentials and qualifications of dentists abroad to ensure they meet comparable standards.
- Communication: Effective communication with your dentist is crucial for understanding your treatment plan, any potential risks, and post-operative care instructions. Language barriers can complicate this communication, potentially leading to misunderstandings or inadequate care.
- Follow-up Care: If complications arise after dental work, it’s much easier to seek follow-up care from the same dentist if they are local. Seeking follow-up care internationally can be challenging and may require finding a new dentist who may not be familiar with your case.
- Maintenance: The success of any major dental work relies on long-term maintenance, which includes consistent professional checkups and cleanings. Going to an international dentist for one major procedure will not allow you to establish the required maintenance routine necessary for long-term success of the work.
- Legal Issues: If something goes wrong during or after dental work, seeking legal recourse can be complicated when dealing with international providers due to differences in legal systems and jurisdictions.
Unfortunately, dentistry is not an exact science. Post-operative sensitivity or discomfort is quite common, and the patient must trust the dentist and accept the required time for healing. Establishing a healthy relationship with the dentist with mutual trust is key to successful treatment and long-term dental health. Usually that type of relationship takes time to develop spanning over multiple appointments. This type of relationship cannot be forged by a one-time experience, which is usually the case with medical tourism.
Ultimately, Dr. Kudaverdian cautions against getting dental work abroad, especially because of the many complications and inadequate results she has seen in the past. It’s essential to thoroughly research and consider all factors involved. Consult with your dentist to get valuable insights and recommendations. Financing options are always available, and we will work with you no matter what to make achieving your dental goals a reality.
If you are considering getting dental veneers, implants or a complete smile makeover in the Los Angeles or Tarzana area, please contact 32ology Dental Studio, where Dr. Argina Kudaverdian can provide a consultation and tailor a high-quality, cost-effective and comprehensive plan to meet your needs.