Dental Tourism, How Much?

[JJReyes]

While in the Philippines for two weeks, my wife emailed that she had to see our Honolulu dentist to check a tooth that was hurting her. The crown was cracked and she was asked to issue a check for $1,465.00 for dental services, which includes the price for a new crown. At least she didn't have to wait for the check to clear before the dentist performed the services.

 

I was planning to visit our Philippine dentist for a new filling on one tooth. The problem is an appointment is almost a half day affair. Location is Alabang, and the taxi fare including the South Express toll is about P450. On the return, the taxi drivers cartel at the nearby Ayala Mall want P700 plus toll road fee to take me back to Makati.

 

Someone suggested trying Metro Dental, a mall based chain with 14 dentail clinics including in Cebu. Most locations are open until 9:00pm and my appointment was for 7:00pm. The location is Greenbelt 5, a ritzy shopping and dining center. I could see dollar, or rather peso signs the minute I entered the door. I asked permission and took the attached photographs of their facility.

 

It turned out to be a pleasant experience. The place is absolutely clean and all equipment sourced from Korea are brand new. They started with a full mouth digital x-ray. The dentist explained which crowns I should start replacing in the coming years using a flat screen monitor in front of me. He then did the tooth filling. Total charge was P2,500. What surprised me was being given a print copy and a CD of the full mouth x-ray. This is just in case I need to see a dentist in the United States. They know that just the x-ray alone is a $175.00 charge. 

 

In the meantime, my niece sends an email. The eldest of her four boys needs braces. The preliminary estimate is $4,000, slightly higher if you avail to their clinic's installment plan. Her dentist probably had a huge smile after learning there are three additional boys at home.

 

P2,500 for dental services. Wow! I was actually expecting a higher amount because the clinics are owned by a corporation rather than the more typical mom & pop. The Philippines should spend more money marketing dental tourism.

 

 

 

[lyno 47]

I had my teeth fixed in Cebu on my last trip 6 crowns a bridge and a root canal.A modern dental surgery with xrays temp teeth while mine were being made.Total  cost was $970.00aud, the dentist kept the first 2-3 hours of every working day just for me,most of her clients were westerners and I could not have had better service here in Auz.The cost here was $11500Aud. cheers

[Beachboy]

.. the problem would seem to be in the transportation costs.  Even from Honolulu, if you have to add $1000 - $1500 in airfare to your bill, it's not cost effective for most procedures.  

[lyno 47]

Beachboy maybe dental care is cheap in the US I don't know,but hear in OZ its very expensive and in some cases you can wait a couple of months to see your dentist unless its an emergency.As I stated that I needed major dental work done so even after the air fairs and hotels I still got the work done for 1/3 the cost of what it would have cost me here cheers

[OnMyWay]

Thanks for this JJR!  We are looking for a dentist here in Subic so I might see if there is a Metro office here.  

[Will]

Beachboy maybe dental care is cheap in the US I don't know,but hear in OZ its very expensive and in some cases you can wait a couple of months to see your dentist unless its an emergency.As I stated that I needed major dental work done so even after the air fairs and hotels I still got the work done for 1/3 the cost of what it would have cost me here cheers

In the states, even with dental insurance, you still pay out the nose!!

Thanks for your story, JJ.

Lyno, if you don't mind, what was the dentist's name here in Cebu?

[OnMyWay]

.. the problem would seem to be in the transportation costs.  Even from Honolulu, if you have to add $1000 - $1500 in airfare to your bill, it's not cost effective for most procedures.  

 

I think the concept of dental tourism is that you will pay for the plane ticket (and more) with your savings, thus you get a free vacation trip.

[JJReyes]

.. the problem would seem to be in the transportation costs. Even from Honolulu, if you have to add $1000 - $1500 in airfare to your bill, it's not cost effective for most procedures.

 

I think the concept of dental tourism is that you will pay for the plane ticket (and more) with your savings, thus you get a free vacation trip.

 

Going to the Philippines for the purpose of seeing a dentist would be expensive because of airfare and stay. Or you get a free vacation as OnMyWay's comment. Dental tourism for me is to include a visit to the dentist as part of a business/pleasure trip.

[SNIXX]

Excellent dental work in Cebu this week.

 

One filling and a deep cleaning (different then typical cleaning) was 1200 p vs equivalent 30k p in the states.

 

I had a friendly conversation with the Dr. and the dental assistant was really cute.

 

I was not given  free toothbrush and floss as in the states. Somehow I got past the disappointment. 

[lyno 47]

Hi Will I have sent you a p/m as to who and where the dentist is cheers