Last Updated on January 31, 2025 by Christine Kaaloa
However, sometimes, expected things happened along the way… (watch video to see inside my recent dental visit or click here)
Dental tourism is just as much a vacation adventure as visiting Disneyland.
Table of Contents: Guide to Dental Tourism & Getting Cheap Teeth in Southeast Asia
Okay, so seeing a doctor/dentist is not quite Disneyland, but to do it in a country where services are less expensive, while enjoying sightseeing its surroundings, can be a much more valuable investment and souvenir to a traveler.
When I was in Chiang Mai, I met an Irishman, who excitedly shared his “Thai bucket list” with me. His trip had two souvenir goals — buy a laptop and get dental work done. Of the latter, he walked into dentist’s office off the street and walked out with a new set of fillings in an hour! Three days later, I booked a visit to my first Thai dentist!
A minivan came to my guesthouse and transported me to a clinic that looked partially like a spa. The high-tech dental lair looked a space age dental room reminiscent of the Jetsons. The furnishings and technology made the dentist offices I’ve been to in New York and Hawaii look primitive, simple and well, …third world! My dentist spoke English and was attended to by two dental nurses.
Flash forward two years later. I’m living and enjoying cheap health care abroad and come to Bangkok and Chiang Mai for all my major dental work.
How much are your teeth worth?
It’s not just wanting to enjoy convenience, luxury and swish technology. It centers around costs. The costs abroad practically pay for its flight.
When I lived in Korea, I spent $405 on a root canal. Alternately, the average cost of a root canal in the U.S., ranges between $400-$1000 (and a porcelain crown might cost and additional $600- $860) .
I sat in the dental chair as a TV monitor played Korean drama in front of me. When the dentist came into the room, the monitor switched to a video, showing me the procedure he was about to perform on me…. and when he started into my mouth, that monitor switched to a video of the inside of my mouth!
This is what was rung up at my neighborhood Korean dentist’s register:
That’s a savings of almost $800. To be fair, my root canal was covered by my Korean health insurance, having been an English teacher. The actual cost of the root canal procedure was $60 (without insurance)… and still a bargain!
If you’re going to spend the money either way, then why not choose the option that offers you the best service, best technology and covers the cost of a vacation trip to another country?
The Myth of Dentists in Third World Countries
Many still look at developing countries as offering substandard practices. How could they afford state of the art facilities, sanitary or well-practiced doctors.
The myth of medical practice in third world countries goes something like this–
(It’s funny but well shot video which you will find gripping)
Finding a legitimate doctor who practices safe and exemplar work takes a bit of research. But the great doctors and state-of-the-art facilities exist, even if not in a “first world” country.
Dental Tourism in Thailand: How to Find a Good Dentist
There are many good dentists in Thailand. In fact, it’s a highly competitive field and you can find an abundance of dental offices. In researching a dentist I strongly urge you to take to expat forums and look for online business reviews. Weight your choices in seeking a reputable dental clinic. When you go in, look for other western travelers. Clinics which service western travelers will cost a little more, but sometimes, the clientele can be a good indication of how the clinic is prepped for taking western clients and standards. If you go in and don’t get a confident or good vibe about the office, then cancel your appointment. There are times I get a gut feeling up front as soon as entering an office if it’s what I’m looking for or trustworthy. Let your gut have a say in the matter. It won’t steer you wrong. Also, if your dentist diagnoses something you don’t feel good about always seek a second opinion.
The video below is part two of a situation where I was told by my Bangkok dentist that I needed a dental implant, after going in for just a crown replacement.
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The Ultimate Guide to Medical Tourism in Thailand
Buy my Bangkok Travel Secrets Guide.
Travel tip cheat sheet (and dentists and doctors I use!) inside.
