ทำไมเมืองไทยจึงเป็นศูนย์รวมของการท่องเที่ยวเพื่อการแพทย์

Since Thailand is known as ‘Land of Smiles’, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that it’s becoming the home of low-priced dental work. The price of dental treatment in Thailand is remarkably low compared to many Western countries and it is a main factor when it comes to attracting new patients to dental clinics such as PMDC Dental Clinic in Bangkok. Yet patients are not going to risk their health without good cause.

Sun, Sea, Sand &… Fillings!
It’s not exactly a combination that enters the mind when one thinks of a vacation but medical tourism is big business in Thailand. Whether you want a root canal, teeth whitening or crown replacement, Thailand appears to be the place for you. Thailand is already a huge favourite among tourists because of its white beaches, clear water, incredible nightlife, low cost of living and magnificent attractions.
Now that the cost of dental treatment elsewhere is skyrocketing, patients from all over the world are flocking to Thailand for high quality dental work at a fraction of the cost of the same procedures back home. Once upon a time, dental tourism was very much a niche market and was only known via word of mouth or through seldom visited traveller’s forums. Now, it has very much hit the mainstream.

Private Insurance
Even private insurance companies are getting in on the act. In Australia for example, NIB, a private health insurance company, is offering a new treatment package for the uninsured which involves getting treatment in Thailand. The full package includes airfare and accommodation along with the dental work and is the first time a private insurance company has taken this step. The company claims it receives dozens of inquiries a day for its offshore package and this is a sure sign that people are fed up with paying high prices when treatment of equal quality is available elsewhere.

Changing Times
Dentists in Western nations need to get their act together or risk becoming a departure lounge. Those worried about the standard of care they will receive should know that Thailand is fast becoming one of the world leaders in terms of healthcare. The aforementioned private health insurer is offering a 12 month guarantee on the work performed so you can rest assured your teeth are in good hands!
One of the major differences between dentists in countries like Australia and in Thailand is that the latter firmly believes in price transparency. You know precisely how much any given procedure in Thailand will cost so there are no nasty surprises. This is in stark contrast to Australian dentists for example who often conceal their prices; the result is a hefty bill which shocks patients to their core.
The fact is, local care is now out of reach for most people which makes Thailand all the more attractive. When you add in the chance to sample local cuisine, party the night away, relax on a sunny beach and gaze upon magnificent temples, it appears as if the decision to visit Thailand as a medical tourist is a no-brainer.