Dental tourism as a phenomenon: where is it cheaper to be treated, reviews

Dental tourism is a type of medical tourism based on the fact that people who need full dental treatment, go to another city or even a country where dental services are provided to them on more favorable terms than in their native city. Such tours are usually called dental, and tourists are called dental travelers.

Development of dental tours in Russia

The "late start" of this type of tourism in Russia is due to the fact that the USSR pursued a foreign policy in which it was impossible to use the services of a dentist in another country.

After the borders were opened, the Russians went not for more affordable prices, but for the latest high-quality services. This became the main difference between domestic dental travel and those accepted in the rest of the world.

At the same time, domestic dentistry began to develop actively. Availability of modern equipment and the latest

materials, the opportunity for specialists to participate in world-class symposia or any seminars and exchange experience with foreign colleagues prepared the basis for the full promotion of private dentistry in RF. An increasing number of patients in public clinics are choosing comfortable treatment in a private dental office.

The demand for private dentistry is growing day by day. More than 9,000 masters are graduates of 2 dental institutes and 44 faculties that functioned in the country before the collapse of the USSR, they preferred to get a job not in state, but in private dental clinics, or they opened their own a business.

Traveler goals

The main goal of a dental tourist is to save money on treatment. However, when choosing a tour, quality is not the last thing. People choose those clinics in which the price of dental services is more affordable, and the quality characteristics are at the same level of services in their hometown.

Travel geography

This type of tourism is widespread both in Russia and abroad. If we take our country, then the phenomenon is most popular among residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg. So, the most popular places within the country:

• Ryazan, Klin, Railway;
• Omsk and Novosibirsk;
• Tver, Riga, Krasnodar;
• Volgograd.

It is in these cities that they provide quality services for treatment, whitening, insertion of new fillings and other operations related to teeth.

As evidenced by numerous reviews of those who went on dental trips, this service is in great demand in France, where it is known under another name - "healthy rest". And the French are a practical people.

On a global scale, there is a certain division of geographic directions. It should be noted that in foreign countries dental travel is popular mainly among people of retirement age. Depending on the place of residence, patients choose the following areas:

• retirees from Austria, Germany and Britain travel to Eastern Europe to correct their teeth (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Poland);
• Americans prefer to travel to Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico, since within the United States, the cost of treatment, taking into account health insurance, is much higher;
• Australians, Japanese and Chinese travel to Thailand;
• Uruguayans choose Argentina for themselves;
• destinations of the former USSR (Ukraine, Belarus) and countries such as Turkey, UAE, Israel are also popular among Russian tourists.

Due to the high level of medicine and relatively affordable prices, as well as a strong medical base, dental tourism is becoming more and more popular. However, it is very important to look carefully for your dentist, as the qualifications of the doctor may not be sufficient.

Reasons for popularity

The difference in price for identical services in dentistry in different cities and CIS countries can reach up to $ 2,000.

According to professors and doctors of medicine, from a professional point of view, dentists from the province are superior to their metropolitan counterparts.

Travel companies make money by organizing the delivery of a large number of patients to the clinics, who, in turn, are provided with life and entertainment for the duration of the tour.

Advantages and disadvantages

Dental tours have the following advantages:

1. In any case, this is tourism. That is, you can see new places (for example, take a ride on the sights of Uzbekistan or take part in the most interesting excursions along the Golden Ring), as well as get to know another culture. Thus, you will be able to combine business with pleasure.
2. Quite quick treatment. Since the time of such tours is limited, the doctor cannot waste it and tries to do as much as possible for you in the shortest possible time. That is, you can heal in a day caries, set a pair implants and much more.
3. The likelihood of treatment by one specialist in one office. Many doctors in clinics in small towns are generalists. There are not enough specific tasks, so the doctor is forced to do any work: cleaning, caries treatment, tooth extraction and many others. For this reason, you can go through all stages of treatment in almost one office or within the same clinic.
4. Saving. It is no secret that the maintenance and rental of premises in the capital and in large cities are expensive, and the costs for them are included in the cost of treatment. Therefore, out of two identical doctors who work with the same materials and technique, the price of treatment is more affordable for the one who is in the province.
5. A toothbrush along with toothpaste as a gift. Against the background of the cost of treatment, these gifts look funny, but, you must admit, it's still nice when something is given for free.

Now let's look at the main disadvantages of a dental tour:

1. Most types of treatment are either quite lengthy or require a lot of preparation. For example, the treatment of a periodontal tooth takes about a month, or even more. Not to go to the doctor every month for another stage of treatment? And prosthetics in difficult cases usually takes a year or a year and a half - that is, you need to settle near the clinic and constantly visit a doctor.
2. Impossibility of quick observation. Even after a simple tooth extraction, the patient is observed for two more days, since in the postoperative period, unforeseen difficulties may arise. The same applies to such popular procedures as prosthetics, dental implantation, treatment caries in a complicated form - here, in some cases, the patient needs long-term observation, up to a couple weeks. If the doctor heals within 24 hours, and then the client goes home, the question arises who will observe him.
3. No choice. Clients do not know where they will be sent and which specialists they will end up with. Basically, patients are contacted in advance by a travel company, which distributes applications to partner clinics. Therefore, it is highly likely to be at the reception at the horse, to which the locals simply do not sign up. And to refuse treatment is often also inconvenient - you have traveled many kilometers, spent time and money on the tour.
4. A responsibility. In any case, you will want to know who is responsible for the treatment. Who is to blame for the marriage and who, in an unfavorable case, will pay for another dental treatment. Of course, doctors are responsible for the services provided, but it will be problematic to turn to them. Not everyone will be able to go to another city or even a country for a consultation.
5. Not the best quality clinics. Even in the provinces, the best clinics have many clients without dental tourists. And the price of treatment there is only slightly lower than the prices in the capital. For this reason, travel companies have to negotiate with empty private clinics, which the local patients are afraid to go to. Visitors are unlikely to be able to find out or guess about it.

Prices in Russia

The price of medical services depends on the complexity of the operation and the place where the medical appointment is provided. Let's consider the cost using the example of the most popular direction of dental tourism, which is Ryazan:

• anesthesia - 250 rubles;
• treatment caries - from 1400 to 2000 rubles;
• premium prosthesis insert - 30,000 rubles;
• metal-ceramic crown - 5000 rubles;
• whitening with ZOOM systems - 18,000 rubles.

The cost of services in the countries of far and near abroad should be specified in the clinic that you have chosen as a place of treatment. However, in some cases the savings in comparison with Moscow clinics are up to 60 percent.

The final cost of the tour depends on many factors and is most often called to the customer before signing the contract.

In many cases, the resulting price is made up of the following components:

• prices for air or train tickets in two directions;
• the cost of a taxi or transportation around the city;
• cost of living;
• the actual price of dental services;
• payment for the services of intermediaries;
• other costs (to issue a passport or visa, etc.).

Tour reviews

At the end, here are a couple of reviews from customers who used this service:

Dental tourism continues to gain popularity, because in addition to direct dental treatment, there is an opportunity to see interesting places and get new experiences. The quality of services is often comparable to Moscow and St. Petersburg clinics, and prices are kept at a relatively democratic level. Recommended for anyone who wants to combine a visit to a doctor and travel.