Saturday, April 11, 2009
In a reversal of a common trend, a growing number of Americans are crossing the border south into Mexico to take advantage of economic opportunity. These individuals are seeking dental care at costs often 70% less than those in the United States, in a practice known as “dental tourism.” Border towns such as Los Algodones are becoming centers for this type of business. This town of 4,000 has 350 dentists who cater mostly to U.S. clients. Some of the clinics have even built accommodations near their offices to serve their patients, and companies have sprung up that provide transport for patients into Mexico and back exclusively for dental visits.
Proponents of this practice maintain that Mexican facilities are state-of-the-art and that Mexican dentists are able to provide world class service at a reduced cost. Critics cite the lack of regulation in Mexico and allege that anyone can set up an office and claim to offer quality dental care. They also note the lack of recourse for clients should they receive bad service. Yet despite these warnings, dental tourism is on the rise, a trend not likely to end if healthcare costs continue to remain substantially higher in the United States than in Mexico.
-Kyle Kuersten
AeroMexico Jumps into Medical Tourism (New Mexico Business Weekly)
Mexico the New Dental Destination, (by Oscar Avila, Chicago Tribune)
Dental Tourism in Mexico: Uninsured Texan Saves 68% in Major Dental Surgery Facilitated by Healthbase (by Mumtaz Pachisa, Associated Content)
Medical Tourism – Mexico (Medical Tourism Corporation)
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