Does it seem like everyone around you has impressive pearly whites these days? You’re not imagining. In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of people going through dental procedures, in order to improve the appearance of their smile and teeth. Why is this happening? The answer is that, like in many other fields of life, money speaks. Some countries, like Turkey and Mexico, now offer professional treatments – just like you would get at home – but at more affordable prices.
However, before rushing to book a dental procedure abroad, there are some things you might need to take into account. “Choosing a clinic in which one wishes to go through an aesthetic procedure is not something that should be done lightheartedly. There are multiple variables that must be considered, so as to make the best decision,” said Doctor Donald Bowman, Medical Director of Bellomed, the reputed global medical treatments center. “After all, we’re talking about one’s health and well-being. It’s a bad idea to gamble on these.”
Having said that, what are the variables that you should keep in mind before booking a dental treatment in a foreign country?
Pricing as an indicator of professionalism?
It’s only natural to think that aesthetic dental treatments that are relatively inexpensive necessarily indicate unprofessional or low-quality work. Actually, this is not really the case, especially when speaking of clinics in countries outside the Western world. The prices of aesthetic procedures in these countries are generally lower in relation to similar procedures conducted in Western countries.
Having said that, being a bit suspicious is totally understandable. It’s a good idea to compare the rates offered by different clinics as an indicator of their professionalism. Note that this comparison should only be done on a domestic scale, since the price of such treatments can differ substantially between different countries. Hence, if one clinic offers a distinctively lower price than the others in the same country, this is definitely a warning sign.
Other than that, unlike in the Western world, some clinics in aesthetic tourism destinations are open to price negotiation. Bargaining for a discount is legitimate there. That is to say, the fact that a clinic is open to price negotiation doesn’t necessarily suggest it’s unprofessional.
Separating the wheat from the chaff
Aesthetic tourism is nowadays very popular. However, many of those who wish to go through aesthetic procedures, including dental and orthodontic work, avoid it since they fear that clinics outside the Western world employ unprofessional staff or use inferior equipment and technologies. Actually, this is far from the truth.
Mexico and Turkey, for example, didn’t grow to be aesthetic tourism powerhouses by chance. These countries’ governments invested millions in developing the sector. In order to maintain their country’s reputation as a popular aesthetic tourism destination, they implemented strict regulations over them. Moreover, they closely supervise the conduct of local clinics to ensure that at the end of the day, only the proficient ones continue to operate. This is true for all kinds of aesthetic treatments, including dental procedures.
However, from time to time, unprofessional clinics manage to slip through the strict local governmental monitoring. The potential aesthetic tourist indeed doesn’t have the time and resources to conduct thorough research in order to spot the suspicious clinics. Therefore, those who wish to go through a dental treatment abroad may want to consider getting in touch with a mediator that specializes in finding the best clinics out there and at the most attractive prices. This is where excellent treatment centers like Bellomed come into the picture.
A holistic approach
It may be easy to forget, but going through aesthetic treatments is not just about the procedure itself. It’s a process. Those who wish to go through a dental treatment may have questions and concerns, and that is totally understandable. It is highly recommended, thus, to have someone to talk to if you want to express any wants and wishes, consult with experts, or be escorted throughout the process.
“We understand that providing dental treatments abroad is not just about helping customers book a treatment,” Doctor Bowman inferred. “That’s why we offer our clients a holistic approach towards this process. We do offer a wide array of dental procedures, such as teeth whitening, dental implantations, and veneers, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We take care of everything for our customers. We help them choose the right clinic, book a flight, and take care of the accommodation arrangements.
“We are available to answer all their questions, hear their concerns and fulfill their wishes. We also check up on our clients regularly after the procedure, to make sure that everything is going according to plan and that they are satisfied with the service they received. Bottom line – you can count on us, top to bottom, for dental and other aesthetic treatments.”