The Rise of Dental Tourism – An Ethical Dilemma
In a dentist’s office, a patient who has been living in Canada for over 20 years sits down for a routine checkup. He has no dental coverage. After a basic checkup, the dentist informs him that he needs several procedures, far beyond what he can afford. In pain, he asks if there are any alternatives. The dentist replies, “Have you considered going back home? They have the same tools and can be just as advanced.” The patient responds quietly, “Just the ticket home is $1,000.”
In Canada, currently, only about 6% of dental care is publicly funded, leaving most Canadians to pay out of pocket or rely on private insurance if they have it. With major procedures such as root canals or implants reaching thousands of dollars, many people are seeking alternatives.
We enter the world of dental tourism, where dental care abroad can be significantly cheaper than at home, with some procedures costing less than a weekend brunch in Toronto, often delivered in clinics offering resort views and vacation packages.
Countries like Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica, Hungary, and Turkey have become hotspots for dental tourism. In these countries, dental procedures can be up to 70% cheaper than in the US or Canada. Places like Los Agondos in Mexico have 500 dentists for a town of only 6000 people, earning the title of “Molar City”—patients often book packages that include treatment, hotels, and sightseeing.
So why is dental tourism becoming so popular? What is the driving factor behind this trend? Well, a push away from many dental clinics in Canada and the U.S. is the long wait times, high costs, and limited access to a dentist, depending on where you live.
In recent years, there has been a growing shift in how dental clinics present themselves, both locally and globally, with many re-branding as cosmetic-focused practices. Many argue that this reflects a broader trend in which the image of dentistry is becoming more aligned with aesthetics as opposed to overall health. This shift also helps to sustain a privatized model, as opposed to a public or universal dental care approach, making it easier for insurance companies to restrict coverage and for policymakers to avoid making changes. While this deserves deeper exploration, it’s important to note that the cosmetic turn in dentistry not only redefines care priorities but also reinforces structural barriers to access.
Even people you see on TV are travelling for their teeth. A Love Island winner who travelled to Turkey for 10 crowns added that: “I knew [crown procedures] would be about £10,000 to £15,000 easily in England. So, I thought I’d rather just go to Turkey, get a bit of sun, have a laugh”.
Many patients say that cosmetic treatments help improve their self-esteem and confidence. One patient mentioned: “I got Turkey teeth, and I don’t care if I regret them in ten years. I think they look so good”.
Despite the growing commercialization of more cosmetic dental treatments, it is important to note that many patients seek this out due to a lack of alternatives where they reside. In many cases, a flight and treatment are still significantly cheaper than the clinic five minutes away.
We spoke to Mrs. K, who found herself in this position. She was quoted almost $2,000 in Ontario for a root canal, which included consultation, the procedure itself, and a dental crown. Unable to afford the cost, she delayed the treatment. By the time she returned, her tooth was in worse condition, the dentist informed her that she would instead need an extraction. This procedure would be extremely costly when including the extraction and implant. She happened to already be planning a trip back to her home country, and when she mentioned this, her dentist let her know that the surgery could be done there, though not recommended due to possible risks. Still, with no other realistic option, she decided to go through with the treatment abroad.
Especially for patients like Mrs. K, who return to their home country for dental procedures, the journey feels comfortable as they speak the local language and trust their dental provider.
However, for many, the journey is not as smooth. So, what are some of the risks of dental tourism?
Many dental professionals warn about the dangers of receiving treatment abroad, often pointing to complications that arise once patients return home. One concern is that follow-up care becomes difficult, especially if something goes wrong. Dentists here may be reluctant to intervene due to legal concerns or a lack of information about materials and techniques used.
‘If something goes wrong, we are left liable for a treatment we did not even perform,’ shared Dr. R, a practising dentist in Ontario. ‘I try to avoid taking on patients who have recently had procedures done overseas’.
Many other dental professionals have voiced frustration with this growing trend, citing its impact on their practice. As more patients seek care abroad, local clinics, especially smaller ones, struggle to maintain steady patient volumes. Some dentists blame this drop in demand for contributing to rising costs, as fewer patients limit their ability to offer flexible pricing. Others feel their role is being reduced to damage control rather than providing comprehensive, continuous care. This can also create a domino effect, making it harder for new dentists to find work, despite a growing population and clear need, ultimately impacting dental students and educational institutions as well.
While some patients were satisfied with the cosmetic treatments abroad, others expressed regret. One patient added: “I got [set of crowns], but it was a big mistake. I’ve now got a lisp and can’t close my mouth properly, please don’t do it.”
We conducted our own survey to see what Canadians experience with dental tourism. Check out the below infographic to see the results of the survey.
Despite the risks, dental tourism is not going away. Rather, dental tourism reflects a much deeper systemic issue: a healthcare system that leaves out millions of people without viable dental care options. And for some patients, travelling abroad is not a luxury, but a necessity.
So, what do you think? Would you do it?
Questions for you:
As dental tourism continues to expand, so do the questions we need to ask:
If you could not afford treatment in your country, would you go abroad?
Is it ethical to shame those who get cosmetic procedures abroad for their confidence and self-esteem?
Should public healthcare systems expand their coverage to prevent this?
We want to hear your thoughts.
Authors: Yara Shaban and Ashleen Parmar