
I live in Sarasota, Florida, and I would be comfortable saying there are as many dental practices as restaurants in our wonderful city. Quantity encourages competition, and dentists do compete, with vigor, for new patients. It is economically attractive to become a Dentist's "new" patient because there are coupons and advertised specials offering complete "first" patient workups for no more than the cost of dinner for two.
But once inside the door, competition becomes almost non existent. For last year's dental needs, I got three dentists' opinions on how to "skin the onion" after my initial $24,000 estimate. I hoped, by comparing, I would find a cost locally l could afford. All three quotes ran between $22,000 and $24,000.
But once inside the door, competition becomes almost non existent. For last year's dental needs, I got three dentists' opinions on how to "skin the onion" after my initial $24,000 estimate. I hoped, by comparing, I would find a cost locally l could afford. All three quotes ran between $22,000 and $24,000.
If I couldn't get a dollar value I could get my arms around, I had to investigate "out of the box." This led me to a highly recommended Dentist in Costa Rica. My $24,000 estimate for dental corrective and restorative work became a $7,000 reality. This year, several unexpected dental "surprises" popped up that caused the dentist here in Florida to quote an $11,500 estimate. Again, I returned to my "Land of Stretching the Dollar ". . . . my dentist in Costa Rica. . . . and there my final cost was $2005. I know many people who have traveled abroad for dental, medical and cosmetic opinions/treatments/surgery. I, personally, can only speak of my personal pursuits dentally. After almost a year of careful investigation, I chose Costa Rica to complete my necessary dentistry.
Within an article on Costa Rica from Dentistry Today, written in July 2011, it states, "According to some studies, 90 percent of the cosmetic dentistry procedures are being performed on tourists." It further states, "The Central American country provides low-cost dental treatment that has proven to be of high quality. A person who goes to the country for dental can also decide to vacation there."
As one of the many leaving the USA each year for countries in Central America, South America, Asia, and Europe, I feel more informed to share observations, perceptions, and opinions regarding the pros and cons, as I see it.
What is causing the movement to have procedures outside of the USA?. . . . Money. . . .Savings. . . Confidence. . . .Referrals from previous patients. . . .Success stories. . . .Ease of mixing pleasure with the business of dentistry. Finally, but definitely a forerunner in decision making for many prospective patients, is the fact that a high percentage of international Dentists have been USA educated, trained and certified. These doctors continue to attend National Conferences and Seminars while keeping their certifications current with knowledge of modern technology and innovative procedures. With so little negatives, dental treatment internationally begins to look real positive. How can all this apply to you?
Have you been putting off capping that chipped front tooth. . . .or, like me, a veneer to replace a twisted lower front tooth? Has the reason been cost? An estimate for a crown (without a root canal) or veneer averages between $1,300 to $2,000 in the USA. Why such a discrepancy in doing the same thing?
The best opinion I have been able to establish regarding what sets the standard for such fluctuation is found within the varied levels of sophistication American dentists' choose to project. Location, waiting rooms, equipment, numbers in staff, all contribute to making the cost of a crown higher and higher. Internationally, there is a very small span of sophistication. Doctors there are in the business to do the work and do it right, without frills.
"Necessity becomes the Mother of Invention," (or in the case of Dentistry, we can say Mother of Intervention). The United States' American Dream has become a major obstacle for entrepreneurs to overcome because of national laws, unreasonable demands on employers, excessive taxes, restrictions, regulations. Due to these conditions, Consumers find they must turn to International countries' convincing marketing that entices Americans to seek that which they desire and require "at the right price."
I have ALWAYS advocated the American dream whereby one sets up a business, employs Americans, and offers honest services and goods. I have been a real foe of purchasing out-of-our-country products, whenever possible to purchase American-made products. In current times, International competition to get the things we want or services we need has become a global spectrum, and one has to put aside patriotism, in order to become more practical in the marketplace of life.
In this switch to foreign lands for providing us with goods and even services, i.e., telemarketing, customer services, technical support, doesn't it make sense that traveling to another country for dental work is molded in the same model? Americans need goods and Americans need good teeth for health, as well as cosmetic, reasons. When producing in America became cost-prohibitive, finding a means out of the country became the answer. Dental maintenance has become cost prohibitive for the average American, and Americans are finding avenues out of this country as their answers.
As my title states, I have discussed the "whys" for dental care abroad. If you are interested in exploring these options, I certainly can be of service to you. I can advise not only from first-hand experience in selecting the best dentist at the best price, but also as a Travel Planner to take care of all the arrangements in a simple and affordable manner.
I encourage you to contact me for a consultation. I can help you achieve the "perfect" smile you have been waiting years to afford. Please write me through the comment form on Site Mission page or email, sagewisetravel@gmail.com, and let's talk about your specific needs and desires.
Within an article on Costa Rica from Dentistry Today, written in July 2011, it states, "According to some studies, 90 percent of the cosmetic dentistry procedures are being performed on tourists." It further states, "The Central American country provides low-cost dental treatment that has proven to be of high quality. A person who goes to the country for dental can also decide to vacation there."
As one of the many leaving the USA each year for countries in Central America, South America, Asia, and Europe, I feel more informed to share observations, perceptions, and opinions regarding the pros and cons, as I see it.
What is causing the movement to have procedures outside of the USA?. . . . Money. . . .Savings. . . Confidence. . . .Referrals from previous patients. . . .Success stories. . . .Ease of mixing pleasure with the business of dentistry. Finally, but definitely a forerunner in decision making for many prospective patients, is the fact that a high percentage of international Dentists have been USA educated, trained and certified. These doctors continue to attend National Conferences and Seminars while keeping their certifications current with knowledge of modern technology and innovative procedures. With so little negatives, dental treatment internationally begins to look real positive. How can all this apply to you?
Have you been putting off capping that chipped front tooth. . . .or, like me, a veneer to replace a twisted lower front tooth? Has the reason been cost? An estimate for a crown (without a root canal) or veneer averages between $1,300 to $2,000 in the USA. Why such a discrepancy in doing the same thing?
The best opinion I have been able to establish regarding what sets the standard for such fluctuation is found within the varied levels of sophistication American dentists' choose to project. Location, waiting rooms, equipment, numbers in staff, all contribute to making the cost of a crown higher and higher. Internationally, there is a very small span of sophistication. Doctors there are in the business to do the work and do it right, without frills.
"Necessity becomes the Mother of Invention," (or in the case of Dentistry, we can say Mother of Intervention). The United States' American Dream has become a major obstacle for entrepreneurs to overcome because of national laws, unreasonable demands on employers, excessive taxes, restrictions, regulations. Due to these conditions, Consumers find they must turn to International countries' convincing marketing that entices Americans to seek that which they desire and require "at the right price."
I have ALWAYS advocated the American dream whereby one sets up a business, employs Americans, and offers honest services and goods. I have been a real foe of purchasing out-of-our-country products, whenever possible to purchase American-made products. In current times, International competition to get the things we want or services we need has become a global spectrum, and one has to put aside patriotism, in order to become more practical in the marketplace of life.
In this switch to foreign lands for providing us with goods and even services, i.e., telemarketing, customer services, technical support, doesn't it make sense that traveling to another country for dental work is molded in the same model? Americans need goods and Americans need good teeth for health, as well as cosmetic, reasons. When producing in America became cost-prohibitive, finding a means out of the country became the answer. Dental maintenance has become cost prohibitive for the average American, and Americans are finding avenues out of this country as their answers.
As my title states, I have discussed the "whys" for dental care abroad. If you are interested in exploring these options, I certainly can be of service to you. I can advise not only from first-hand experience in selecting the best dentist at the best price, but also as a Travel Planner to take care of all the arrangements in a simple and affordable manner.
I encourage you to contact me for a consultation. I can help you achieve the "perfect" smile you have been waiting years to afford. Please write me through the comment form on Site Mission page or email, sagewisetravel@gmail.com, and let's talk about your specific needs and desires.