Cosmetic Dentistry - Dental Tourism

Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Payson, Arizona

The U.S. has been a destination for several decades now, for people wanting high-quality health care at excellent facilities. But recently an opposing trend has developed, where Americans are leaving the U.S. for dental care in Mexico. They hope to save money, but in the long term will probably spend more, as they are risking their dental health and general well-being.

The Dangers of Cross-Border Dentistry

In the U.S., all dental schools are federally accredited. They must meet high standards in many respects, such as training and education, and sterile technique. American dentists must conform to guidelines set up by BODEX (Board of Dental Examiners), the American Dental Association (ADA), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and the Department of Health and Human Services.

These agencies require dentists to take annual courses on topics such as infection control techniques, and require them to be inoculated for Hepatitis. U.S. dentists must be licensed to practice in the U.S. and must keep their license current. In addition, dental materials and equipment must be FDA-approved for safety and appropriateness.

However, in Mexico, dental education has no uniform standards, dentistry offices are not regulated, and sub-standard materials are often used. Only 21 percent of Mexican dentists are inoculated against Hepatitis B. Your dental care would be compromised and would create potential health hazards, not only in your mouth, but in your general health.

Increased Danger of Infectious Disease

Mexico is a third-world country and its water supply is polluted with unsafe levels of human waste and untreated water. Consequently, Mexico suffers from increasing rates of diseases such as Hepatitis, Typhoid Fever, and Tuberculosis

Diseases Commonly Found in Third-World Countries

• Hepatitis A – from contaminated food or water;


• Hepatitis B – from infected materials such as blood;


• Hepatitis C – from viruses in blood, transmitted by needles or other contact. All types of Hepatitis are liver diseases.


• Typhoid Fever – from contact with feces;


• Tuberculosis – from the tubercle bacillus in the air breathed. It infects the lungs.


• Amebiasis – from the parasite Entamoeba histolytica in food or water. It damages the blood, brain, and spinal cord;


• Shigellosis – from human feces in water or poor hygiene. It is a food-borne type of dysentery.

Since there is no regulatory control of dentistry standards in Mexico, you have no legal recourse or protection if you contract any of these diseases. They are all life-threatening and must be promptly and appropriately treated.

So before you rush to Mexico to save money on your dentistry needs, consider:

• Would you have open-heart surgery in unhygienic circumstances?
• Would you have a baby in a contaminated hospital ward?

Why would you go for your dental care in a country where you would not drink the water?

If Cost is a Consideration

You can ask your American dentist about payment plans and whether they work with a third party financing company. Perhaps they offer discounts, such as for seniors, for cash payment, or for pre-payment. Be sure and check with your dental insurance company about any “cosmetic dentistry” procedures, because if there is a health reason to have what is usually considered as a “cosmetic” procedure, your insurance may cover it.

High-quality dental care is like an investment in your health. If you allow problems to develop, the cost to correct them will likely be greater than the original cost of prevention would have been.

Additional resources are available at the Academy of General Dentistry and the Arizona Dental Association.