It’s a match made in heaven—you get a dental procedure for
almost no money and a vacation to a foreign country. However, before booking a flight
to Malaysia or Mexico to visit a dentist, you should first understand all of the
risks associated with seeking dental care outside the U.S. Cheaper dental
procedures may be appealing, but dental tourism may cost more than you realize.
Before making any rash decisions, here are a few risks to be aware of.
Lacking in Regulation
U.S. dental
care is regulated highly by the American Dental Association, and they govern
dentists as well as their reputations and offices. Choosing an ADA-approved
dentist means choosing an office that fully meets safety, certification, and cleanliness
regulations. The equipment and instruments used by dentists are also regulated
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Unfortunately, these same protections
don't apply to dental tourism sites. No regulation means hygiene,
sterilization, and safety in general cannot be guaranteed.
Bacteria and Germs
Whenever
you travel outside the U.S., you’re exposed to bacteria and pathogens you might
have never encountered before. In many cases, washing hands and being attentive
about foods and drinks you consume are enough protection against these bacteria,
but dental or medical procedures in other countries can be risky. The CDC says medical
tourism could increase your likelihood of picking antibiotic-resistant bacteria
up, and even just water used during dental procedures could get you sick if you
lack immunity against illness-carrying organisms within it.
Recovery Concerns
Almost
all oral procedures are considered safe, but sometimes complicated recoveries
can hamper even light procedures. Traveling for care can increase your risk of
recovery problems, especially if you travel while you’re still in recovery. According
to the CDC, surgery abroad could result in blood clots while traveling back
home while infection could make you very ill. As well, you could misunderstand
and then fail to adhere to recovery directions if a language barrier exists
between you and the foreign dentist. If you opt to take part in dental tourism,
then at least provide yourself with the time necessary to recuperate and have a
contingency plan ready in case of complications or a long recovery.
Dental and Medical History
Your
dental professional keeps detailed records of your dental and medical history,
using this information in order to make sound decisions regarding your dental care.
Whether you have had certain procedures done previously or are sensitive to
specific instruments or drugs,
this
dental history is a complicated puzzle that dentists use to enhance care and
keep patients safe. Whenever you participate in dental tourism, the professional
you visit may be competent, but they lack the dental history as well as the
relationship you enjoy with your regular dentist. Without a record of your
history, this could lead to a less efficient or even unsafe experience.
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