Dental work can be expensive, especially if you have to undergo a specialty procedure. In recent years, many people have opted to get their dental work in another country due to perceived cheaper rates abroad. Unfortunately, this can cause issues and cost the patient more in the long run.
We’ll take a look at several reasons why you should not get your dental work done in another country. We’ll also review ways you can minimize the financial impact of dental care.
Why Shouldn't You Get Dental Work Done in Another Country?
Standard of Care
In the US, it takes eight years to become a dentist. During this time, students spend four years earning their bachelor’s degree and another four years working towards their DDS or DMD. Those who would like to specialize in a certain branch of dentistry must continue their education with a dental residency.
This level of education has been designed with the patient’s well-being in mind. It ensures that every dentist you see is well-qualified and able to treat you professionally. When you get dental work in another country, the standard of care is often different and there is no guarantee that the dentist has completed the same level of education.
Materials and Tools
When it comes to the materials US dentists are allowed to use, there are certain rules and regulations. Everything must be safe for the patient, and nothing can be dirty or contaminated.
The American Dental Association makes sure that dental professionals are aware of any new research. If treatment is updated, this will be communicated to dentists around the country. Dentists will adopt the new method and purchase the required tools or materials.
This may or may not be true if you get dental work in another country. Generally, what you pay is what you get. Cheaper prices can often be due to inferior tools and medicine or outdated procedures.
Communication Barriers
If you switch to a different dentist in the US, you can take your medical records with you. All dentists follow the protocol set out by the American Dental Association. Your new dentist will be able to understand and analyze your medical history. They will be aware of any previous treatments, allergies, or medications.
This isn’t necessarily the case when you see a dentist in another country. You may not have access to take your records with you and, if you do there’s, no guarantee the foreign dentist will understand your records.
There could also be communication issues for the type of treatment needed or how to proceed with treatment. This could affect the outcome or put you in a dangerous situation.
Complications and Infections
Due to the various factors discussed, clinical risks are higher when you get dental work in another country. While it’s never a good idea to get dental work in another country, the riskiest ones are complex procedures that involve specialty treatment, surgery, or multiple visits.
In the US, the chance of a negative outcome during these types of procedures is minimize. Treatment plans are created and spread out over the appropriate period. However, when you get dental work in another country, the procedure is on a limited timeline.
This increases the risks of a rushed job. It also elevates the chance of infection because your mouth doesn’t have time to heal in between treatments. Additionally, flying soon after surgery is never a good idea because you could suffer from complications such as blood clots.
Aftercare
Most dentists schedule check-in appointments after treatment to monitor your progress and ensure that your healing properly. Unfortunately, this isn’t usually possible when you choose a foreign dentist.
In such a case, you might need to see an emergency dentist in the US if any issues arise. This could end up canceling any perceived savings and cost you more than if the treatment was done in the US.
It's Not Always Cheaper
Even if everything goes well, dental work in another country isn’t always much cheaper than getting treated in the US. Not only do you have to consider the cost of the treatment itself, but also the cost of time off work, travel expenses, accommodation, transportation, and more.
Procedure costs also may not be disclosed upfront or have hidden costs that bring your bill higher than expected once treatment is over. This is because the regulations regarding transparency about fees aren’t the same in every country.
The foreign dentist might not have to disclose the whole cost of the treatment before it is performed. In contrast, every dental professional in the US must follow a strict code of ethics and let you know about every cost before they do any work.
Are There Options Other Than Dental Work In Another Country?
Now you know why getting dental work in another country isn’t a good option. You might wonder whether there is another way to reduce the financial burden.
The easiest way to save money is to go to your local dentist regularly. Dental problems are almost always easier and cheaper to fix right away rather than waiting. You can also check to see if your dental office offers reduced rates for those without insurance or a cash discount.
Here at Cornerstone Dental, we offer Cornerstone Club for non-insured patients as well as a 10% discount for cash payments. Ask us about our patient benefits next time you come in!
For those with insurance, check to see if the dental office you go to participates in-network with your insurance provider. Finally, most dental offices offer payment plans to help make payment more manageable.
There are many reasons why getting dental work in another country isn’t a good idea. While it might seem cheaper, there is no guarantee that the dentists are as qualified or that the materials and tools are up to standard.
In addition, the language barrier could cause problems and you risk complications due to rushed procedures. If you have to see a US emergency doctor after your treatment because something wasn’t done right, you will spend a lot more than you saved.
Are You Searching For A Martinsburg Area Dentist For You Or Your Family?
If you’re searching for an experienced dentist please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
