Thousands of Americans who want to save money on dental procedures are turning to an unorthodox option: dental tourism in Mexico.
The United States has absurdly high healthcare expenditures compared to other countries. Per capita, Americans spent $9,024 on healthcare services in 2015. Canadians spent $4,506. Italians spent just $3,620.
Given the considerable disparity between healthcare costs, it’s not surprising that so many people travel to other countries to save money. The idea of medical and dental tourism, however, raises several questions.
Where Americans Receive Dental Services in Mexico
Los Algodones, a town that sits just across the border from where California and Arizona meet, is the most popular destination for Americans seeking cheap dental procedures in Mexico. Although only 6,000 people live in the town, more than 500 dentists work within a four-block radius. That’s one dentist for every 12 residents. The area has so many dentists that it has earned the nickname “Molar City.”
The Benefits of Dental Tourism in Mexico
Americans come from all over the country to visit dentists in towns like Los Algodones. Some people claim that they save thousands of dollars by making the journey, even after they include travel-related costs.
In a 2014 interview with NPR, a man who underwent nine hours of surgery for four root canals and 22 crowns says that he only spent about $5,000. He claims that the procedures would have cost about $50,000 in the U.S.
On average, dental tourists can expect to spend two-thirds of the money that they would in the U.S. Such considerable savings offer obvious advantages to anyone desperate for affordable dental services that can prevent pain and improve their smiles.
Why Mexican Dental Services Cost Less
Americans flock to the small town because they can save thousands of dollars on services and products like dentures, crowns, extractions and root canals.
Dentists in Mexico can charge low prices because:
- The government subsidizes dentists’ education.
- Dentists don’t need to purchase expensive malpractice insurance.
- Real estate in towns like Los Algodones doesn’t cost much.
Inexpensive prices don’t necessarily mean that Americans get inferior services when they visit Mexico for dental procedures. The country has many excellent dentists who can do their jobs just as well as their American colleagues.
That doesn’t mean that people don’t face some risks when they travel to Mexico for dental procedures.
The Risks of Dental Tourism
For the most part, dental tourists can expect to receive excellent care in Mexico. Unscrupulous doctors and frauds, however, can make procedures dangerous. Some of the biggest dangers include:
- Using cheap, toxic metals instead of safe, approved options.
- Choosing a dentist who doesn’t have proper training.
- Falling victim to fake clinics that want to take advantage of travelers.
- Poor water quality that could lead to illnesses.
Researchers have also raised concerns about unjust labor practices in Mexico. Local dentists, politicians and regulators may look the other way when a town can earn so much money from dental tourists. This sets the stage for oppression and exploitation of people who don’t have other employment opportunities.
Anyone thinking about dental tourism should do considerable research before choosing a service provider. Although most of the dentists in towns like Los Algodones want to take good care of their patients, others just want to earn quick money.
Since dental tourism comes with so many risks and unknown features, it makes sense for Americans to find affordable options within the U.S. A dental discount plan like DentalSave can lower prices by 20 to 50 percent at over 40,000 dentist locations nationwide. Instead of taking a risk in Mexico, people should consider using plans like DentalSave to make their dental procedures and products more affordable.
