Florida residents flying globally to reduce dental costs — What are the risks?

More Florida residents are opting to undergo dental treatments in other countries, such as Costa Rica, due to increased treatment costs, according to ABC Action News.

An estimated 85,000 Americans and Canadians ventured to Costa Rica for various treatments in 2017, with 80 percent of those operations being for dental patients. The main driver for the dental tourism is increasing costs of care.

In the U.S., the average cost for implant-supported dentures is $4,250 while in Costa Rica patients can get the same treatment for $1,500 on average. One patient in the U.S. was quoted $20,000 for four teeth to be removed. However, the same procedures were offered for $9,000 in Costa Rica.

So, what are the risks?

Due to the increase in medical tourism, the American Medical Association is warning and urging physicians to be more compassionate with patients who return with botched surgeries. Many times, if a procedure goes wrong in another country, local dentists may not be able to revise the work already done.

One dentist in Florida has treated various patients who underwent botched dental procedures throughout his 30 years of practicing. He cautions meeting a dentist for the first time in another country and warned about the potential for higher bills to amount from revision procedures.

More articles on dentists:
Drs. Elena Zau, Joseph Kravitz & more: 5 dentists making headlines
Former U of Missouri dental student sues school for reinstatement: 5 things to know
Dentsply Sirona, Carestream Dental & more: 8 dental companies making headlines

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

Featured Learning Opportunities

Featured Podcast