I was thinking they might be trying to give her a nicer looking mouth. My dentist here is far more into function than aesthetics. He was explaining the new compounds used in crowns recently, and it does make me curious as to whether there are newer and stronger materials for fillings as well.
@“great lakes mom” the $75 that I quoted is pretty much at the very low end, usually for those that cater to a specific ethnic group. Most places are in or well above that price - $125-200 for typical no-insurance patients.
Hepatitis C would be my biggest concern with medical procedures in some countries. It is now considered treatable, but that treatment costs a small fortune.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/hepatitis-c
The only medical tourism I do is to go to MDs outside of our home state of HI to get additional opinions or more specialized treatment. Going to other countries is currently out of my comfort zone.
I have found the treatment I got from medical centers in other states very helpful in conjunction with my cate from instate providers.
I believe some medical insurers cover out of country care.
I live in an East Asian country with outstanding national health care and there is a great deal of medical tourism here, mostly from elsewhere in Asia.
Regarding composite versus amalgam fillings, here is a page that gives some details, including references to studies about comparative longevity:
https://www.animated-teeth.com/tooth-bonding/a9-white-composite-fillings.htm
44 was a helpful post....NOT. Would it really hurt if you listed the country?
https://www.pacificprime.com/resources/news/asia’s-top-5-medical-tourism-destinations/
@ProfessorPlum168 - Based on @marvin100’s terminology of “East Asian” as opposed to “Southeast Asian”, I’m guessing South Korea.
Two colleagues went to Turkey for LASIK. Both had excellent outcomes.
According to my French teacher, healthcare there is extremely affordable, even for non-citizens. I personally wouldn’t do it, but if you were going to go somewhere, the Western medical standards and delicious food are great incentives!
I know someone who went to Albania for surgery. This person has excellent medical insurance in the US, but after doing the math, it was still going to cost a few thousand for a fairly simple surgery. In Albania, this person knew the director of the hospital. The director chose the surgeon and the cost ended up being a few hundred. There were no post -surgery complications. No regrets.
I have only heard horror stories from friends about medical treatment abroad. One young man would have lost a leg if he hadn’t been flown out of Thailand to the US. This after an accident on vacation there. Another friend had terrible treatment in Italy for hepatitis. There’s a reason why so many travelers get medevac insurance when traveling abroad.
Re: #51
There may be a difference between a prearranged medical tourism trip to a provider specializing in medical tourism, versus needing emergency or urgent care at the nearest hospital in a country where one is not at least conversant in the local language.
Even in the US, those who have money and enough time to make informed choices about treatments and providers may improve their chances of good outcomes versus others.
We haven’t had the need to travel for medical procedures, but knowing our love of travel, I keep it in mind. I hear enough horror stories from here in the US to think we’re the only country who can “do it right.” Doctors are human worldwide. There can be terrific outcomes or mistakes anywhere.
That said, the situation in Tibet or anywhere that’s a typical “market” or “street corner” would have me moving on. Assuming the care needed would be preplanned, I’d use google to investigate - just as I would (and have for things we’ve needed) in the US.
One apparently does not have to travel outside of the US…
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/longview-surgery/
Wow—if they can start a trend of medical centers giving REAL actual prices, that would be a huge service to consumers. Currently, trying to get prices is awful.
@HImom - Exactly! The way the system is set up it makes it nearly impossible to be an informed, proactive consumer of medical services.
There was a piece on 60 Minutes some years ago about India. Especially around hip/knee replacements and plastic surgery.
You go to a seaside resort like a 4 Seasons. Get the work done and stay for a month at the resort. And the whole thing cost less than in USA, if I recall correctly.
It was the definitive Medical Tourist arrangement.
And supposedly India produces fine Doctors and these clinic resorts are pretty posh.
None, with insurance, there’s nowhere overseas where I can get quality medical care at a lower out of pocket cost than in the US.
Slightly OT - My kid became ill in Cuba and was hospitalized; we would not have received better treatment here in the US. The medical personnel were highly skilled and competent.