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Tell me what others say about dental tourism.  Some articles: 

http://www.miamiherald.com/story...  This recent (July 13, 2008) Miami Herald article is mostly about medical tourism but the original article on paper had a large side bar with dental price comparisons very similar to what you will see elsewhere on our website.

http://www.sfgate.com/article... This article tells the story of an American who traveled to Hungary following the example of British and Germans. 

http://www.chron.com/page...  Consider this quote: 
”Outside the United States are medical facilities and myriads of doctors and dentists willing to charge modest sums within the financial reach of nearly everyone. And more and more observers are claiming such care to be impressive and safe, the frequent equivalent of what many wealthier or insured Americans are able to obtain at home.” 

http://www.usatoday.com/dental... 

Why is dental care expensive in America? ...and Europe too.

Here are my reasons - you may have your own ideas...

1)  Most important: first-world dentists expect more.  Dentistry is traditionally a high status career for men.  High status requires high rewards.  But in third world countries dentists are often regarded as well trained technicians - and paid accordingly.   Third world dentists are often women. 
2)  Rent: High status dentists require appropriate offices.  That helps explain the difference in prices for dental care in large cities as compared to rural areas with lower rent.   
3)  Education debt:  Like so many other professionals in America dentists often start their career with huge debt for their education which can be a major expense for many years. 
4)  Legal liability:  Liability insurance is a major expense for American dental practices.  Third world countries offer legal recourse but without the faults inherent in the overly litigious American system. 
5)  Overstaffing is common in American dental practices.  Often one person is dedicated to insurance paperwork.  Also male dentists are rarely alone with patients because of a few highly publicized cases where female patients were abused.  In Fairfax, Virginia I used a dental practice that consisted of two male dentists who employed a receptionist, bookkeeper/insurance specialist, hygienist and two dental assistants – five well paid women to support two men. This is not the way things are done at the BioMax Client and elsewhere overseas.
6)  Medical insurance: Patients with insurance pay less but insurance re-adjusts the bar for everyone.  Everyone pays more when insurance subsidizes those with insurance.  Dentists can ask for more because many people get “discounts” called insurance.  Ask any economist to explain.   
7)  Professional requirements:  The American Dental Association (ADA), as well as government regulations, often set unnecessarily high standards which add additional expenses to dental practices.  For example the Dominican Republic has no Americans with Disability Act which requires handrails and ramps.  Dozens of similar examples could be used.         
8)  Expensive vendors:  Dentists need expensive supplies and services.  Higher expenses listed above also apply to vendors that serve dentists in America (or Europe).  A dentist’s main vendor is the dental lab that manufactures crowns, bridges, and dentures.  Dental labs also have high rent, high labor costs, and high expectations of profit.  

Why dental tourism in the Dominican Republic?

Dental tourism is available in other countries, but we think the Dominican Republic offers the best balance of low cost, high quality dental care AND the very best tourism infrastructure.  Our dental prices are great but our resort prices are subsidized too so that two of the best resorts in the Caribbean are even more affordable.  See:  www.playadorada.com.do.   And the Dominican Republic is closer to the United States than any other dental tourism location.  There are direct airline flights from NYC JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Miami and Atlanta.   

Why now?

The answer to “Why now?” is that you need some kind of dental work now and you want to save money.  Simple!  And, maybe you need a vacation bad, real bad!  That’s the way I feel sometimes.  Whether you need dental work, or not, the cost of an Occidental resort vacation with us is still the best deal in town.  Come on down, hug a palm tree, and get a tan.  And get your dental work where no one knows you!    

What about dental insurance?

The BioMax Dental Clinic does not accept any dental insurance plans.  But so what?  American dental plans, from my experience, have high deductables and often do not pay for the most popular cosmetic treatments.  BioMax will provide an ADA Dental Claim Form with provider taxonomy codes and before-and-after X-rays so clients can make their own request for payment.  

Tell me about the Dominican Republic?

I live here on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic.  For me it is a great retirement community.  It is safe and fun.  Our two Occidental all inclusive resorts are located in Playa Dorada.  Playa Dorada is home to one of the world’s top 100 golf courses founded in 1984 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.  There is a choice of five-star PADI and other scuba diving centers.  Deep sea fishing is available.  There are numerous casinos including one on the grounds of one of our resort choices, the Occidental Allegra.  Our resorts are “all inclusive” which means that all food and drink is provided but you do not have to spend all your time at Playa Dorada.  There are excellent restaurants and attractions throughout the area.  Whale watching excursions are popular in the winter months.The BioMax Dental Clinic is in one of the best neighborhoods in Puerto Plata and about a mile from the Playa Dorada resort area.  

So, where?  Which airport?
      
The BioMax Dental Clinic is located in Puerto Plata, the third largest city in the Dominican Republic and a major resort destination.  If you are familiar with Puerto Plata, the clinic is near the Court House and two blocks from the police station.  This is 5 to10 minutes from the Occidental Allegra and Occidental Village resorts in Playa Dorada.  John Kane, Dental Tours SA, lives in Sosua, Dominican Republic. 

Our airport is Puerto Plata (POP) Gregorio Luperón International Airport.  Use POP as your airport code to price plane flights.  The airport is about 20 minutes from Playa Dorada.  Most flights arrive from the United States in the early afternoon and dental appointments can be scheduled for the same day.  Charter flights are often available from major cities in Europe for very attractive prices.  The Santiago Airport (STI) is a possibility but it is a two hour drive to Puerto Plata at your expense.    

 

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