Where Are the Cheapest Places to Go for Dental Work?

So, you have to go to the dental office, but you’re not looking forward to it? We feel your pain! The dentist has a reputation for being an unpleasant place, with all that judging and drilling. But it doesn’t have to be that way. After all, you don’t have to let a single moment of this experience drag you down. There are several things you can do to make your search for North Scottsdale Dentistry less stressful. If it’s a cosmetic procedure, you might want to consider going overseas for cheaper and equally good dental care services. Here are some of the countries worth exploring.

Malaysia

The word “Malaysia” means “Land of the Malays.” This country is located in Southeast Asia, near the Philippines. It’s fairly remote, and there aren’t many tourists coming to visit (which could be a plus). The people are mostly Muslim; only 20% of residents are Bumiputras and Chinese, and less than 11% are Indians.

For medical tourism, Malaysia is quite affordable. You can fly there for as little as $200 round trip, which is less than the cost of a root canal or tooth extraction in the U.S.

But the country has its fair share of problems. There’s no social security for its citizens, and many Malaysians are poor. To be fair, though, many tourists come into the country to buy cheap jewelry or electronics (which means they need to visit hospitals).

But if you’re looking for quality dental work, you’ll probably find it at a good price in Malaysia. And some say it’s a less stress-free place to live than other countries.

Thailand

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles and has been making headlines for being one of the best places to get affordable dental procedures.

The U.S. News and World Report rank Thailand as one of the best countries in the world for dental tourism. 

If you’re traveling for dental work, make sure to book a hospital before you arrive. The country has a lot of hospital options, and it can be challenging to get an appointment.

After the dental work is done, you can take advantage of all the other awesome things Thailand has to offer. There are fantastic beaches, islands, and mountains here, so you’ll have plenty to occupy your time while you recover.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a popular choice for dental tourism, with over 2 million tourists coming to the country each year. It’s also a very safe place to live, which means you’ll be able to take your chances on getting your teeth fixed without worrying about any real danger. Plus, there are tons of luxury resorts and activities to do.

The country spends about 8.5% of its GDP on health care, far more than most countries spend. 

You can fly to Costa Rica from the U.S. for as little as $224 round trip, which is $112 per tooth with a couple of children in tow (the cheapest flights we came across were about half the cost).

Colombia

Colombia is a country in South America known for its beauty and natural resources. It’s also home to many famous writers and artists, like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Fernando Botero. The country borders Venezuela on one side and Ecuador on the other side.

The country is a popular choice for dental tourism due to its affordable prices. You can fly there for under $500 roundtrip, which is about half the price of what you’d pay back home. And the country also has a pretty good dental system.

But it’s not perfect. The country ranks number 4 in health care spending (slightly lower than other countries that are ranked lower). And it emphasizes preventative care and hygiene rather than more expensive treatments (like root canals and crowns).

On the plus side, you can expect to find great dental care when you visit Colombia for a dental procedure.

Hungary

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe, surrounded by Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, and Austria. The country has a rich culture and history dating back thousands of years. The country has also been ranked as one of the best places to retire in the world.

Hungary has some of the lowest prices for dental implants and dentures (up to 50% less than in the U.S.). And you can get a great deal here on dental procedures, medical supplies, and equipment. The country also spends about 7.9% of its GDP on health care.