Social IssuesMAY 31, 2022

The Internet Applauds This TikToker From Atlanta For Making A Last-Minute Trip To Turkey Just To Avoid Paying $3099 For A Root Canal Fix

Anyone who has experience with the healthcare system in the United States (and plenty of people who don’t have experience with it) knows that going to the doctor can be expensive. Going to the dentist, in particular, is notoriously costly because it’s not typically covered under a regular health insurance plan. So after one TikToker, Delia O’Malley, was quoted over $3000 for a root canal in the United States, she came up with the brilliant idea of going to Turkey to get it done there instead. Below, you can read Delia’s full story, as well as an interview with Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders, and maybe you'll be inspired to consider taking a holiday the next time you're quoted with an exorbitant medical bill. And if you’re looking for another Bored Panda story about the American healthcare system after reading this piece, we’ve got another for you right here.

More info: TikTok

After this TikToker was quoted over $3000 for a root canal in the United States, she decided to book a trip to Turkey and get it done there instead

Delia's entire trip, including her dental bills, came out to less than the root canal would have cost in the US

Image credits: asdeliadoes

You can hear Delia tell the full story here

While Delia’s trip was a creative solution for her medical needs, she’s not the only one who has had to think outside the box for treatment. In fact, “dental tourism” is a real phenomenon among people trying to avoid paying extremely high dental prices. According to Forbes, in 2020 approximately 290,000 Americans traveled abroad for dental and medical procedures. Mexico is one popular destination, due to proximity and the price of treatment. For example, root canals in Mexico cost 80% less than they do in the US. However, Americans aren’t the only ones seeking treatment abroad. Sometimes even Britons and Irish people take short trips to Eastern Europe or India for affordable procedures. Other common countries to visit for dental work include Thailand, Turkey, Costa Rica, the Philippines and Spain.

Although medical tourism is gaining popularity, it can still be overwhelming to navigate alone. Luckily, there are now organizations like Patients Beyond Borders to help travelers get the best care possible around the globe. We reached out to the CEO of Patients Beyond Borders, Josef Woodman, to hear why dental tourism is on the rise. "Dental consumers now recognize that proper dental care is vital to overall health. Yet in most countries, including the US, dental care remains largely elective, uninsured, and unaffordable. For example, it's not uncommon for a full set of implants, or a full mouth restoration to run upwards of $40k in the US or Canada, impossibly expensive for so many," Josef told Bored Panda. "Over the past 10 years, the rise of high-quality dental care in destinations such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Turkey, Thailand, etc, have created opportunities for dental patients to save as much as 70% on complex treatments."

In terms of how his company can help, Josef told us, "Patients Beyond Borders is a consultancy and does not refer patients to clinics or hospitals. However, we enjoy a long, trusted relationship with Dental Departures, which has booked more than 130,000 patients in some 40 destinations worldwide, making the organization the largest online dental travel agency. We confidently refer patients to this organization." Lastly, Josef added that, "In this era of fake news, I encourage patients to do their homework, vet clinics carefully and don't price shop for the lowest cost. It's not worth getting that extra 5%. The very best clinics in top destinations will save patients enough money to put a big smile on their newly repaired faces." If you're interested in more information about Patients Beyond Borders or want to check out Josef's book, you can do so here.

While it’s ridiculous that those living in the US can’t afford the treatment they need close to home, it’s great to know that there are resources available elsewhere. I’m so glad Delia had a great trip, but I hope the next time she goes abroad she can just take a vacation, without needing to squeeze in a visit to the dentist. We’d love to hear your thoughts on dental tourism in the comments down below. Have you ever traveled abroad for medical care, or does your country provide affordable treatment?