FREE HEALTH INSURANCE QUOTES Start here...

Select Insurance Type:

Individual Health Family Health Group Health Small Business Health Short Term Health Medicare Supplemental Travel Insurance

Zip code:

The high price of dental insurance in the United States is leading many citizens to travel south of the border for dental procedures. Unfortunately, medical tourism can often accrue another cost - the pain and suffering that patients endure when they end up with dental care from an unqualified dentist.

Dental insurance is often overlooked for two reasons: first, with health insurance costs as high as they are, many people scrimp on dental and vision insurance in order to make their medical coverage premiums. And secondly, many people don't think that dental insurance is worth the high price in the first place.

But this couldn't be farther from the truth.

Poor oral hygene has been linked to everything from halitosis, to early decay, to heart disease.

And medical tourism has been linked to poor dental care, pain, suffering, and infection. At chron.com, former Army dentist Charlie Norwood says that "Some patients are lucky, and find a qualified dentist who delivers good treatment at a bargain price. Other patients are not so lucky, suffer serious injury from unqualified hacks, and end up hospitalized or worse from infection. Quality in dental care in the border towns is found solely in the luck of the draw."

The real answer to medical tourism would be affordable dental insurance, health care, and vision benefits. Until then consumers are urged to shop around for at least basic dental coverage; for very small sums basic services are covered by most dental carriers, ensuring quality care for routine cleanings and fillings.