3 Out of 4 Americans Fear Dental Tourism — Should You? [Survey]

Maybe you spent some time as an expatriate or took a year off work to see the world, but have you ever traveled to another country for the sake of your teeth? If you haven’t, you may consider doing so in the future. According to GlobeNewswire, the dental tourism market is projected to increase 12 percent by 2025.

Despite the industry’s growth, dental tourism is often feared by many Americans. In a recent survey, we asked 1,500 people from the ages of 18 to over 65 if they fear dental tourism — the results may surprise you.

Data from our survey shows that 3 in 4 people are afraid of having dental work done in a foreign country. Of those who are afraid, 10 percent said they would still do it despite their fear. Likewise, 24 percent said they would fear dental tourism only if the procedures weren’t performed with modern medicine.

When it comes to gender, women are 20 percent more likely to fear dental tourism than men are. Of those who responded to our survey, 61 percent of women openly said they were afraid of dental tourism, while only 42 percent of men said they were.

Men were also roughly 10 percent less likely to fear overseas dental work when done with modern medicine.

According to our survey results, young adults are the most likely to muster up the courage to have dental work done abroad. Those between the ages of 18 and 24 are twice as likely to have overseas dental work done even if they’re afraid to, compared to those 35 and older.

Of those who said they would participate in dental tourism despite fear, 30 percent were 18 to 24, with the next highest age group being those 25 to 34, at 21 percent. Surprisingly, those 55 to 64 were the third highest age group at 15 percent.

We found that those residing in the Northeast are the least likely to fear dental tourism, with 53 percent of people not afraid of the concept. The West wasn’t far behind, with 52 percent of people claiming they don’t fear dental tourism.

Conversely, the Midwest is the most afraid of having overseas dental work done, with only 42 percent of people claiming to be unafraid of the idea. Those in the South had similar responses, with only 43 percent not afraid of having dental work done abroad.

When considering the benefits of dental tourism, many people first look at the cost of their desired dental procedure. You may ask yourself, “Where is the cheapest place to get dental work done?” in order to stretch your money as efficiently as possible.

The interactive map below will show you the average cost of specific dental procedures in some of the most popular dental tourism locations around the world. Use the average costs of dental work in the United States to compare.

Average cost of specific dental procedures in the United States:

• All-on-4 Dental Implants: $12,000-$50,000
• Zirconium Crown Over Tooth: $500-$1,500
• Root Canal: $500-$1,500
• Partial Dentures: $650-$2,500 per denture
• Full Dentures: $1,000-$15,000
• Wisdom Tooth Extraction: $140-$400 per tooth

Disclaimer: These averages are based on available information online and may vary between dental offices. Contact individual clinics to receive exact pricing for procedures offered. Flight times were calculated using Travelmath and average flight cost was found by comparing the average cost of flights from Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta on Google Flights at different times in the year.

Looking at the dental costs in the map above may have you ready to book your flight. However, there are additional costs to consider. When planning an overseas dental trip, you’ll also need to account for your flight, hotel stays, transportation and food, in addition to the cost of dental work you plan to have done.

Similar to having dental work done in the United States, there are benefits and drawbacks to undergoing dental procedures in a foreign country. While these treatments can often be cheaper, you may experience increased discomfort while traveling as well as potential issues with a dental clinic you’ve never been to.

If you’ve decided to look for a dental specialist in a foreign country, there are a few things to consider before choosing the right one for you. The last thing anyone wants is to pay for a more affordable dental procedure abroad only to need the procedure fixed upon arrival in the United States. Thoroughly vetting prospective dental providers can help you avoid this situation.

Checking these things before booking your plane ticket can help alleviate some stress on your emotions, your mouth and potentially your pocketbook.

Dental procedures in the United States can be costly, which is one reason many people choose to have dental work done abroad. Despite other countries’ abilities to offer more affordable dental care, certain procedures can still cost more than many people have in their savings account.

Unfortunately, most travel insurance coverage only extends to dental emergencies, and regular insurance like Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage or dental insurance only covers work done in your home country.

One of your best options for funding an overseas dental trip is doing so through financing. This can be through a personal loan from your financial institution or a loan through a company that specializes in medical tourism.

Dental tourism can be risky if you don’t do your research beforehand. However, if you find a clinic abroad that uses the newest technology and has world-class dental professionals, you may find that overseas dental care can be cheaper than having certain procedures done in the United States.

If you’re unsure whether or not your Medicare coverage could help pay for this, consider talking with a Medicare advisor who can help you understand exactly what your Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan covers.