More than nine million Americans traveled abroad to receive dental care
A root canal treatment that can cost up to $1,500 in the U.S. can be performed for less than $350 in Mexico.
Reference image: toothbrush
Millions of Americans are turning to clinics outside the country for dental care, a practice that continues to gain ground as medical tourism grows worldwide.
According to Axios, a national survey found that about 4% of U.S. adults reported having traveled abroad for dental treatment. That figure would amount to approximately 9.6 million people.
The results come from a survey conducted last year of 9,450 people. Among those who reported traveling outside the United States for medical care, 58% said they did so to access more affordable treatments.
Health
Skin cancer remains the most common type of cancer: What experts recommend for this summer
Diane Hernández
The survey, conducted by CareQuest, also found that more than a quarter of respondents lack dental insurance. Furthermore, it did not identify significant differences related to educational level, income, or employment status among those who sought this type of care.
Mexico ranks among the most popular destinations for those seeking dental treatment, along with Thailand and Hungary. According to an estimate cited in the report, a root canal treatment that can cost up to $1,500 out-of-pocket in the United States can be performed for less than $350 in Mexico.
The risks of this decision
However, the report warns that receiving medical care abroad can also present drawbacks. These include difficulties in accessing follow-up care in the event of complications and potential differences in the quality of services among different countries and providers.
LATEST
