Opinion abstract
British Dental Journal 204, 553 - 554 (2008)
Published online: 24 May 2008 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.403
Subject Category: Primary dental care
Cross-border dental care: 'dental tourism' and patient mobility
L. Turner1
- Associate Professor, William Dawson Scholar, Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, 3647 Peel Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3X 1X1
Correspondence to: L. Turner1 e-mail: leigh.turner@mcgill.ca
- Increasing numbers of patients are travelling to obtain affordable, timely dental care.
- Though some patients receive safe and professional cross-border care, others are at increased risk of substandard treatment.
- UK dentists should expect to see greater numbers of patients who have received dental care at international dental facilities.
- Patients are more likely to seek dental care from local dentists if they can obtain timely and affordable access to treatment.
Abstract
Patient mobility is increasing. 'Dental tourism' is driven by numerous factors. These factors include the high cost of local care, delays in obtaining access to local dentists, competent care at many international clinics, inexpensive air travel, and the Internet's capacity to link 'customers' to 'sellers' of health-related services. Though dental tourism will benefit some patients, increased patient mobility comes with numerous risks. Lack of access to affordable and timely local care plays a significant role in prompting patients to cross borders and receive dental care outside their local communities.
