Put oral health at the top of your ‘To Do’ list with the affordable, superior dentistry on offer in Bangkok.

One of life’s gifts we tend to take for granted until it fails us is our health. As wandering educators, it may not necessarily be on the top of your checklist of ‘things to do,’ but you really should have something in place for when a dental problem strikes. Hopefully, you will have some form of health insurance, but it’s definitely worth checking what’s covered as policies vary enormously, especially when it comes to dental care, which is often not included in medical insurance policies.

Dental health issues are some of the most common (and usually easily-treatable) problems that can befall us – from cracked teeth to broken fillings and, of course, tooth decay and gum disease caused by bacteria in our mouths. Fortunately, Bangkok has more than its fair share of excellent dentists and clinics to fix your oral health problems and get you smiling again.

Bangkok is the pioneer of modern medical tourism

Thailand has a world-renowned reputation for medical tourism – the term given to travellers who visit other countries for healthcare, typically for reasons that include cost or expertise. In the 1990s when the Thai baht flat-lined, the Thai government made the decision to open its excellent healthcare facilities to foreign patients –hoping to attract them with expertise, lower prices, and that infamous Thai customer care ethic.The Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok was the first to receive international patients, and since then has gone from strength-to-strength, setting the marker for other healthcare providers who want a share of the medical tourism pie.

Although medical tourism has been around for a long-time – traditionally between neighbouring countries – it was Thailand that opened it up on a global scale. In little over 20 years, medical tourism has grown exponentially throughout the world, and although other countries now also offer good medical tourism facilities, Thailand still remains one of the top destinations thanks to its excellent infrastructure, reputation and, despite rising living standards, the amazing value it represents.

Medical tourism encompasses a myriad of specialties, including reproductive medicine, cosmetic surgery, cardiology, orthopaedics, transgender surgery, and dentistry. In fact, while medical procedures feature highly on most medical travellers lists, dentistry is also popular – either for high-ticket procedures which cost too much for travellers at home, or as part of routine dental care where check-ups and fillings can be included as part of a holiday – and for a fraction of the cost.

Dental Services Available in Bangkok

Whatever kind of dental care you need, you’ll find Bangkok is more than able to provide it. Just as at home, dentists here deliver an extensive range of general and specialist care from simple teeth cleaning to full mouth rehabilitation – a comprehensive treatment to restore and reconstruct damaged teeth, often involving several dental specialties.

Bangkok is also a good place to have cosmetic dentistry – including laser teeth whitening, dental veneers and dental implants – all of which cost considerably less for most visitors to the country.

Just how big are the savings on dental care in Bangkok?

In Bangkok, dentist prices remain competitive with savings, typically, of 50% or more. Some of the more popular treatments, compared to US prices are as follows:
•    Dental Crowns – average cost in the US $1,100; average cost in Bangkok $400 – saving more than 60%
•    Dental Implants – average cost in the US $3,900; average cost in Bangkok $1,200 – saving more than 60%           
•    Dental Fillings – average cost in the US $155; average cost in Bangkok $38 – saving over 75%

What about the quality? Can I rely on it?

Bangkok Dental services are among the best anywhere in the world – with first-rate, modern facilities and dentists who are well-trained and up-to-date with their skills. Thailand was the first country in Asia to be awarded Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation (the gold-standard in healthcare accreditation) for one of its facilities and clinics are keen to observe international hygiene and safety protocols, such as those from the International Organization for Standardization.

In Thailand, medicine is considered to be a good career and medical professionals are revered and looked up-to. Undergraduate training for dentists takes 6 years, with additional training required to specialize. After obtaining their doctor of dental surgery (DDS) qualification, graduates must then work for 3 years in the public sector before they can set up in private practice. Most dentists keep up-do-date with their skills and take ongoing courses and qualifications throughout their entire careers.

Many of the dental clinics in Thailand providing services for international clientele are contemporary and modern – some looking more like boutique hotels than a dentist’s office. Plush sofas, work-stations, refreshments and free wi-fi are designed for your convenience, allowing you to work or relax, as well as helping to take your mind off being at the dentist. Some dental offices take advantage of Thailand’s reputation for the reputation of its spa and wellness facilities, adopting a holistic approach to healthcare and very often offering spa treatments as part of their services. One thing is for sure, most foreign patients find the services in Thailand a whole lot better than what they get at their local dentist at home.

What are the risks?

Any kind of medical or dental procedure comes with a risk, no matter where it’s carried out. Traveling abroad can certainly save you a great deal of money, but only if you can be sure of the credentials of your chosen clinic and dentist.

This is where researching thoroughly pays. You can go it alone, and do your own fact-finding. This may well be time-consuming and if you are not entirely sure what you should be looking for, then you may miss an important element of the process.

Those travelers who are opting for major dental work very often book via a renowned dental tourism operator. These do vary in exactly what services they provide, so booking with a company who does their own background checks, for example, verifying qualifications, checking real patient reviews, and doing onsite visits may well be the best course of action if you want peace of mind. You should also check out the warranties offered on your care, but it’s worth bearing in mind that even if you do get a warranty, that this will only cover the cost of your treatment, not on any further travel or accommodation costs you may incur. However, there are insurance options to cover for medical complications, which for a small cost is worth the additional outlay for total peace of mind.

If you are lucky enough to be in this fascinating city for any length of time, there’s no doubt you will be mesmerized by its vitality and bowled-over by the amount of things to see and do. Fortunately, it’s also good to know that health and dental services are of an excellent standard you can rely on – and at prices that are well affordable.

Pin for later: