Risks When Traveling for Dental Procedures
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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