Dentaltown December 2014 - (Page 36)

global dentistry message board Dental Tourism Would you combine your dental work with a vacation stay in a foreign country? Dentaltown.com > Message Boards > Dentistry In The News > Dentistry In The News > Dental Tourism MarylanDDS Member Since: 04/17/06 Post: 1 of 15 Related Message Boards Tourism Dentistry Tourism Dentistry Why I'm All in Favour of Tourism Dentistry Favour of Tourism Excerpt from Fox News article "Dental Tourism Could Save You Big Money" by Brandon Green, originally published November 1, 2013. We all know it's important to take care of our teeth, but we're also familiar with the costs involved. For Americans willing to hop on a plane, visiting a dentist in another country could save travelers over 70 percent on dental procedures such as crowns and root canals, according to data from medical publisher Patients Beyond Borders. You Won't Be Alone: "We estimate that in 2012, 400,000 Americans crossed international borders for dental care. For 2013, we project a growth rate of approximately 20 percent," says Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders. Emily Ross of WhatClinic.com, a global healthcare professional search provider for medical tourism patients, says that the most-searched-for destinations for Americans seeking dental care are Mexico, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Costa Rica and India. Dental implants, crowns and dentures are the most popular searches. Dr. Maria Lopez Howell, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association, says, "If something goes wrong, what is the recourse? Is there a ministry of health? Is there a forum for complaints in the country that you're going to visit? You really have to do your research." Finding the Right Dentist: "If you want to ensure the best possible medical travel journey, check your doctor for U.S. board certiﬁcation," says Woodman. "If people are going overseas, and they're seeking aesthetic dentistry and have no resource like a personal referral that they can trust, I would check to see if [dentists] in that country are members of the International Federation of Esthetic Dentistry. It comprises 29 organizations around the world that cater to aesthetic dentistry," says Dr. Jack Ringer, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Know the Procedures: Before ﬂying, have a basic idea of what is involved in dental procedures, such as crowns, implants and root canals. Once you arrive at the ofﬁce, discuss all of the procedures and options with your dentist one last time and clarify the total cost. Focus on going to a dentist for their overall professional care rather than just seeking a speciﬁc procedure, advises Dr. Howell. "You need to go and get the exam, get the X-rays, get the treatment plan. Are you prepared to stay for a length of time required to get the best care possible?" It's also important to know what materials are being used, said Woodman. "There's a lot of parity (use of the same standard materials from one dentist to another) in the United States, but there's not in other countries. It's important when getting an implant to ask the dentist what they are using. The brand, size and other speciﬁcations." Have the dentist record this information for your records. Keep in mind that the particular model of implant or other material used by your dentist may not be used in the U.S., and therefore may not be FDA-approved. What to Expect From Your Visit: If you are already worried about traveling overseas without the added stress of dental care, international dental travel will not be for you. However, if you do decide to travel for dental procedures, you may ﬁnd yourself pleasantly reassured by the familiarity of the dentist's ofﬁce. We have an understanding of what the requirements are in the United States, and there's no reason to expect any less anywhere else. Follow up and Recourse: One drawback of dental travel is that should you require additional care, your dentist may be on the other side of the planet. If the need for emergency care arises while you are at home or you don't want to make a second trip, you will need to make an appointment continued on page 38 36 DECEMBER 2014 » dentaltown.com http://www.Dentaltown.com http://www.WhatClinic.com http://www.dentaltown.com/MessageBoard/thread.aspx?a=11&s=2&f=101&t=179050&g=1 http://www.dentaltown.com/MessageBoard/thread.aspx?a=11&s=2&f=101&t=167407&g=1 http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown December 2014

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: Saving the World One Tooth at a Time
Continuing Education Update
Professional Courtesy: New Equipment Can Buy Happiness
What Is The Youngest Age That You Have Put Someone in Dentures?
Dental Tourism
I Love White Fillings Without Tints –Am I a Quack?
Townie Choice Awards 2014
The Pain of Broken Appointments
Financial Timelines for Any Age Doc
Bulk Fill Optional Restorations
CE: Simplifying the Denture Process
Are You Using the Best Cement for the Job?
Ad Index
Product Profile: LSK Chairside Shade Guide
Product Profile: SmartBox
Poll: Oral Systemic
Product Profile: Patient News
Industry News
Perio Reports
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown December 2014