By: Trimmel Gomes
With the rising costs of dental procedures in
the United States, many patients are turning to neighboring countries like
Mexico to get care at significantly lower prices. Dental care in the U.S. can
have a hefty price tag, especially for complex procedures like dental implants,
orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry.
Alvin King III, a resident of Fort Pierce, wanted to improve his smile after a
chipped tooth, so he went online, browsing YouTube and social media to find a
dentist with great reviews and the best price. He settled on a dental practice
in Tijuana, Mexico, to get composite veneers, designed to cover imperfections
in tooth shape, size, or color.
"So, the total cost for me was $3,000 compared to the price in Florida I
would've paid about $30,000," King pointed out. "Anywhere from
$25,000 to $50,000 in America."
Dental industry experts acknowledged the price gap, but they warned people to
be cautious and select a practice accredited by groups like the Commission on
Dental Accreditation, to depend on the same quality standards. They also
advised getting clear information about the costs of follow-up care.
Dr. Frank Catalanotto, president of Floridians for Dental Access, said the real
dental-health crisis in Florida is so many people can neither access nor afford
the dental care basics at home.
He noted nearly 6 million Floridians live in what's known as Dental
Health Professional Shortage Areas.
"Medical tourism in not the answer, from my perspective," Catalanotto
advised. "We need to make it more accessible and affordable right here in
Florida. We don't have adult dental benefits in Medicaid in our state. That
means all those Medicaid patients, the only thing they can get is an emergency
extraction and a denture."
Lafayette County currently has no dentists, and several other of Florida's 67
counties struggle with fewer than five dentists for their region. Catalanotto
added his group is urging lawmakers to find ways to make oral care easier to
get and to afford.
Content for this Post is provided by Florida News
Connection, a Bureau of Public News Service.
Public News Service is a member of the The Trust Project.
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