Annually, the U.S. spends $110 billion for oral and dental healthcare. Globally, the dental industry market was valued at $34.2 million in 2022. Its growth has been bolstered by the rise of dental diseases and increased spending on dental services.
If you have skyrocketing dental bills not covered by your dental insurance, perhaps it’s about time you’ve given dental tourism a try in 2025.
Having a wellness vacation in leading destinations like Thailand might be the best course of action to lower your dental bills if you have no choice but to pay for such services out-of-pocket.
It’s actually a bit of a life hack to combine your vacation destination with your dental work in one fell swoop so that you’re getting more bang for your buck when all is said and done.
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What Is Dental Tourism?
Dental tourism is when countries offer dental services as part of their tours there, thus enticing patients to vacation there for “business” and “pleasure.”
The main things that compel tourists to avail of dental tourism in places like Thailand, Turkey, and India is the relative affordability of such services even with travel expenses taken into consideration.
Furthermore, they’re also tourist spots on top of dental tourism destinations, thus giving you travel opportunities like any other vacation location out there.
This on top of international-level quality care that meet or exceed that standards Westerners are used to when it comes to dentistry.
It’s worth considering dental tourism in 2025 simply because many of our dental bills are skyrocketing due to inflation rate and the stagnation of world economies at present, wherein only the richest of the rich could afford such “privileges”.
Factors to Choose the Best Country for Dental Care
Places in the West like the United States and United Kingdom and places from down under like Australia and New Zealand have extremely expensive dentistry rates, especially when it comes to implants.
Thank goodness you can fly to other countries to get affordable dental care at a fraction of the local price. Let’s discuss the benefits of dental tourism.
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Costs: You can save tons of money by going abroad or choosing the nearest country and center for your dental needs. They’re particularly competitive when it comes to pricing dental implants.
It’s also advantageous for those lacking dental insurance or can’t apply for the Affordable Care Act. These procedures aren’t just cheap though—they’re also high quality.
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Proximity: Certain quality dental tourism sites are closer to certain countries than others. Australians tend to go to Thailand while Europeans tend to go to Spain or Romania due to proximity considerations.
This means that even if Turkey might offer more cost-effective or high-quality treatment than Mexico, many U.S. citizens would rather go to Mexico due to its nearness and convenience.
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Quality of Care: The quality of dental care in other countries are arguably the same as those in most Western countries, maybe even better in light of their affordability due to the lower cost of living in certain nations.
Many Western dental patients also avail of dental tourism to get expensive dental care they normally couldn’t get at the fraction of the price, like cosmetic dentistry or implants.
Or if they afford these, they can get the highest quality version of such services at a discount.
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Tourism Value: A dental tour doesn’t only offer dental work. It also gives you the opportunity to mix business with pleasure as a wellness vacation in a single package. It’s like killing two birds with one stone.
Or perhaps it’s the best of both worlds—affordable dental service during a holiday. You’ll get to appreciate the beauty of Costa Rica, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, the Czech Republic, and Poland while also beautifying your smile!
Top 10 Countries for Dental Tourism
Let’s talk about the Top 10 countries for dental tourism. Keep your dental budget out of control by mixing your vacation time with dental work time. Know how to play your cards right and you’ll find plenty of dentistry alternatives abroad!
1. Thailand
When it comes to affordable dental implants and cosmetic dentistry, the “Land of Smiles” is right up there as one of the top destinations for cheaper dental work.
The three highly popular and trusted dental centers in Thailand for dental care abroad include the Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC), Thantakit International Dental Center, and Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic.
BIDC offers comprehensive dental services from general to cosmetic dentistry. Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic, meanwhile, is a good alternative to the above mentioned with its dental solutions for implants, orthodontics, and oral surgery.
Moreover, Thantakit—known as one of Thailand’s oldest and pioneering dental institutions—provides branded services for teeth whitening and implants at discounted prices and 5-year warranties.
You can also get even cheaper yet decent dental services in smaller clinics or even hospitals with students using patients for their on-the-job dentistry training.
When it comes to dental implant costs in Thailand, they come relatively cheap at $750 to $2,300 (฿26,000 to ฿80,000) for individual implants and upwards of $3,300 to $10,400 (฿115,000 to ฿360,000) if you’re availing of All-on-4 to All-on-6 implants.
2. Turkey
Turkey or Türkiye is another top destination when it comes to cost-effective yet high-quality dental treatments. While most are more familiar with Turkey or Istanbul hair transplants, it’s also the go-to country for dentistry in Europe and the Middle East.
The country is among the first countries to offer affordable dental implants and a wide range of dental care abroad, catering to both locals and tourists.
Turkey is particularly popular among Western nations, particularly those in Europe, because they specifically cater to the region.
In regard to the dental implant costs in Turkey, they’re super affordable while at the same time they’re done by the most modern of clinics and the most skilled of dentists.
You can get up to 93% savings in Turkey. Single implants cost $600 to $1,500 (in the U.K., it’s £1,800 to £3,000 or $2,260 to $3,760), while All-on-4 implant packages cost between $2,500 to $3,500 (in the U.K., it’s £14,000 or $17,550)
3. India
Because of the super low cost of living in India plus the exchange rate, you’re sure to get the most affordable dental care abroad there. The cost of living in India is around 66% lower than in the U.S., to be more specific.
According to the Global Medical Tourism Index, India is ranked 10th, with its dental tourism flourishing in particular. It’s also another go-to destination for affordable dental implants.
India combines world-class amenities with affordability that challenges even the likes of Thailand and Turkey. The huge cost advantage is huge enough to appeal to faraway Western countries like the U.S.
You’ll get bargain-basement prices when it comes to dental implant costs in India. For example, single tooth implants in India cost in the ballpark of $355 to $830 (₹30,000 to ₹70,000 for both the implant and the crown).
As for the All-on-4 implants (and above) package, they cost $2,370 to $4,740 (₹200,000 to ₹400,000).
4. The Dominican Republic
The main appeal of the Dominican Republic compared to the top three dental tourism destinations is also both cost-effectiveness and high-quality dental services, but this time it’s super near North American countries like the United States and Canada.
The Dominican Republic shares maritime borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Turks and Caicos Islands (United Kingdom), Curaçao (Netherlands), Aruba (Netherlands), and Puerto Rico (United States).
So, it’s practically an international type of dental tourist destination, although it mostly gets North American clientele by proximity.
Americans can avail of dental care abroad in the Dominican Republic instead of Mexico to avail of services like affordable dental implants.
Even Canadians with their advanced healthcare are looking into Dominican Republic dental tourism for savings and a vacation in tropical paradise during Winter.
The dental implant costs in the Dominican Republic are around $1,095 for single tooth implants (the crown being the most expensive part) and $7,500 to $9,449 for All-on-4 implant packages.
The beach-filled country also boasts of well-trained, university-educated dentists with modern dental utilities and English-speaking staff and crew in places like Puerto Plata, Cabarete, and Sosua.
5. Mexico
In a pinch, most U.S. Americans—particularly the states nearest to it, like California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas—will automatically jump the border to Mexico to get affordable dental care not covered by their dental insurance.
It’s the nearest possible oral and dental care abroad they could avail of without boarding a plane or going literally overseas, in fact. This also makes it a great destination for specialized treatments like wisdom teeth surgery.
Mexico attracts 1.2 million Americans yearly with its dental tourism offerings thanks to their huge cost savings for dental care and affordable dental implants.
Speaking of which, the dental implant costs in Mexico are $790 to $1,270 for single implants and crowns and $3,600 for All-on-4 implants.
Because of the huge figures brought in by dental tourism, Mexico has invested in delivering impressive dental services with Western-standard clinics and English-speaking dental specialists.
6. Costa Rica
If for some reason neither Mexico nor the Dominican Republic are available for their dental tourism needs, a good third alternative for them is beautiful Costa Rica. Their main claim to fame, however, is their high healthcare standards.
In turn, their life expectancy surpasses that of U.S. citizens according to the World Health Organization. They also deliver everything from affordable dental implants to cosmetic dental care abroad.
Their broad-spectrum dental services reflect their broad-spectrum healthcare services that helped improve the quality of life of Costa Rican citizens.
It also helps that Costa Rica is the go-to tourist destination for beaches, rainforests, and outdoor activities like kayaking, ziplining, and hiking through parks and rivers.
As for dental implant costs in Costa Rica, it’s between $800 and $1,500 for single implants and up to $26,450 for All-on-4 implants per arch. It’s 75 percent less than U.S. prices, in short.
7. Czech Republic
Located in the heart of Europe, between Germany and Poland, the Czech Republic (or Czechia, formerly Czechoslovakia) is a global superpower when it comes to dentistry. It has a proud tradition of topnotch dentistry spanning longer than dental tourism itself.
Therefore, many of its European (and occasional American, Canadian, or Australian) patients go to Czechia not only for its nearness but for its quality service.
Prague is particularly dependable for its quality dental care abroad and for those out-of-insurance-coverage services like affordable dental implants and cosmetic dentistry. Their dentists undergo six years of academic education, leading to Ph.D. qualifications.
Although the savings from Czechia aren’t as big as 75 percent savings from Mexico, it’s still 50 percent less than the dental service prices of the United Kingdom or United States, but with stricter quality control.
Regarding dental implant costs in the Czech Republic, it’s $899 for single tooth implants and $12,000 to $50,000 for All-on-4 implants.
8. Romania
Romania, along with Turkey, is one of the pioneers of medical and dental tourism. In fact, Romania isn’t just riding the recent wave of dental care abroad lasting a couple of decades or so.
The country has been providing affordable medical care for itself and its neighbors since ancient times, up until modern-day medical tourism started flourishing recently. It particularly prides itself in having a well-trained dental workforce.
It’s also a well-known provider of affordable dental implants since their invention and development back in 1965 by Swedish physician Per-Ingvar Brånemark.
The country offers substantial cost savings for many of its dental treatments, about 70 percent less than those from Western countries. It’s also super near most European countries—not as near as Czechia or Poland, but certainly nearer than Turkey.
To be more specific, the dental implant costs in Romania include $765 to $808 (€730 to €770) for single tooth implants and $3,150 (€3,000) per arch for All-on-4 implants.
9. Spain
Most Europeans or even Americans are surprised to learn that Spain offers dental care abroad at a significant discount.
Those who aren’t in the know might erroneously believe Spain offers the same high-level, yet expensive dental care like in its neighbors United Kingdom, Germany, or France. It was considered one of the old-world superpowers, after all.
Regardless, this hidden gem in affordable dental implants and dental care has significantly lowered its prices for dental surgery, implants, crowns, bridges, and so forth compared to fellow first-world countries like the U.K. and the U.S.
On top of that, after treatment, you can have a well-earned holiday in the beautiful seaside resorts of Alicante, Barcelona, Benidorm, Malaga, or Valencia.
Indeed, it’s also a high-value tourist destination, right up there with the likes of France and Italy. It offers patients quality dentistry and a must-visit “Euro Trip” in one go.
As for dental implant costs in Spain, it’s $944 to $1,573 (€900 to €1,500) for single tooth implants and $11,000 (€10,500) for All-on-4 implants.
10. Poland
Last but not least is Poland. Poland is also close to many major European countries. As such, it gets a large influx of tourist patients from the same countries the Czech Republic caters to.
Savings are more variable in Poland, but depending on which Polish dental clinic you patronize, you could save from 50 to 70 percent in your normal dental bills there, particularly in terms of affordable dental implants.
The country also offers some of the most skilled and accredited dental specialists on the planet. Two of the best dental clinics in the country include Dentineo in Gdańsk and Jesionowa Dental Clinic in Warsaw.
Even though it’s the tenth best country that offers dental care abroad, it holds a special space in the hearts of many Europeans for its nearness and affordability, making it a great alternative to Czechia.
Finally, the dental implant costs in Poland are $1,128 (€1,076) for single tooth implants and $5,570 (€5,311) per arch for All-on-4 implants.
FAQs About Dental Tourism
What are the most common questions about dental tourism? Read below to find out.
Is dental tourism safe?
Yes. It’s no less risky than “local” dentistry. Many people who’ve never availed of dental tourism are misinformed about why they’re so affordable even after travel costs are taken into consideration.
You can get the safest, highest quality, and even warranty-included dental services from destinations like Thailand, Turkey, India, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the like. Their affordability comes from their lower cost of living and the exchange rate.
It’s not from them offering substandard dentistry to lower the price tag on such an essential service.
What should I bring when traveling for dental procedures?
You need your passport, Visa (depending on your home country and destination), and your luggage with enough clothing to last you about a week to a month depending on the procedure you’re availing of.
You should also have dental items like your own toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and sugar-free gum.
Most anything you’d pack if you’re going on vacation applies to what you should pack during a dental tour.
Which dental tourism countries are closest for Americans?
Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica are among the nearest dental tourism countries for Americans. You’ll have to take longer flights abroad for places like Turkey, India, and Thailand.
Mexico is particularly accessible among Americans in New Mexico and Californians, Arizonians, and Texans.
Which dental tourism countries are closest for Europeans?
Turkey is right up there because it’s at the top or near it when it comes to dental tourism quality and cost-effectiveness. Most Europeans go instead to places like Romania, Czech Republic, Spain, Poland because of their proximity and relative discounted affordability.
Most could ride trains or buses straight to Spain (if you’re from France) or the Czech Republic (if you’re from Germany) and then back to their countries with no problem.
If they could stand to ride a plane, they’d go to the Middle East and avail of the dental services of Turkey. It’s a relatively short flight anyway, unlike going all the way to India or Thailand.
Which countries are closest for Asians and Australians?
India is in the middle of Asia and the Middle East. However, most Australians and New Zealanders go directly to Thailand or the Land of Smiles, which is even nearer.
Asian countries like China, Japan, and South Korea also partake in Thai dental tourism themselves for good reason. It’s near or exceeds the broad-scope offerings of Turkish dental tourism plus you can get branded services at a significant discount.
Even the most expensive, top-tier zirconium implants, tooth whitening, or Invisalign braces you can find in the U.S. can be availed of in Thailand for the price of mid-tier or low-tier services.
Comparative Table Summary
Country | Average Cost (in USD) | Travel Proximity | Key Highlights |
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Thailand | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $15-$35 Dental X-ray or CT scan: $7-$115 Dental Cleaning: $26-$2,500 Tooth Extraction: $34 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $145-$269 Braces: $1,400 to $5,000 (Metal to Invisalign) Teeth Whitening: $170-$280 (Ultrasonic to Bleaching) Crowns and Bridges: $300-$550 (Ceramic to Porcelain) Veneers: $170-$570 (Ceramic to Porcelain) Single Implants: $750-$2,300 All-on-4 Implants: $3,300-$10,400 |
SEA countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia are relatively near Thailand. The most regular nearby dental tourists of the country come from Australia and New Zealand though. |
Thailand offers both the lowest-costing and the most cost-effective dental services available. This means you can get really cheap services done by clinics and students at BIDC or high-grade branded All-on-4 implant packages at Thantakit or Bangkok Smile. |
Turkey | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $52-$126 Dental X-ray or CT scan: $5-$629 Dental Cleaning: $67-$2,390 Tooth Extraction: $52-$288 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $250-$300 Braces: $1,570-$5,240 Teeth Whitening: $100-$800 Crowns and Bridges: $100-$400 Veneers: $150-$500 Single Implants: $600-$1,500 All-on-4 Implants: $2,500- $3,500 |
The immediate neighbors of Turkey are Bulgaria, Greece, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. European countries like U.K., France, and Germany avail of Turkey dental tourism. |
As one of the pioneers of dental tourism, Turkey is most Europeans’ go-to oral and dental care destination in the Middle East. It’s not only super-affordable. It’s also high quality, matching Euro standards of dentistry. |
India | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $6-$12 Dental X-ray or CT scan: $9-$120 Dental Cleaning: $18-$36 Tooth Extraction: $7 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $70-$125 Braces: $240-$3,560 Teeth Whitening: $95-$300 Crowns and Bridges: $60-$360 Veneers: $60-$240 Single Implants: $355-$830 All-on-4 Implants: $2,370-$4,740 |
The immediate neighbors of India include Middle Eastern countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan and Asian countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, and China. European countries like U.K., France, and Germany and North American countries like U.S. and Canada avail of Indian dental services. |
You’ll get among the cheapest possible dental care in India thanks to the difference in cost of living between India and Western countries. Or you can get normally expensive treatment at a significant discount. |
Dominican Republic | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $50-$60 Dental X-ray or CT scan: $20-$95 Dental Cleaning: $60-$350 Tooth Extraction: $79 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $150-$300 Braces: $800-$1,700 Teeth Whitening: $130-$500 Crowns and Bridges: $725-$9,000 Veneers: $350-$1,000 Single Implants: $1,095 All-on-4 Implants: $7,500-$9,449 |
Mostly caters to North American countries like the U.S. and Canada. Also caters to Europeans because they share maritime borders with the U.K. |
Although its prices are higher than the top dental tourism countries, Americans and Canadians still go for the Dominican Republic for its affordability, proximity, and high tourism value. |
Mexico | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $150 Dental X-ray or CT scan: $20-$200 Dental Cleaning: $40-$1,200 Tooth Extraction: $95–$100 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $184–$300 Braces: $500-$8,000 Teeth Whitening: $80-$450 Crowns and Bridges: $180-$850 Veneers: $250-$450 Single Implants: $790-$1,270 All-on-4 Implants: $3,600 |
Mexico is literally just south of the U.S. border. Therefore, it caters mostly to Americans. It specifically attracts 1.2 million Americans annually, mostly from the states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. |
Mexico has high touristic, proximity, and affordable dental service value to the U.S., making it probably the No. 1 dental tourism destination for most Americans and even Canadians. |
Costa Rica | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $37 Dental X-ray or CT scan: $25-$75 Dental Cleaning: $50-$150 Tooth Extraction: $60-$200 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $200 Braces: $2,500-$5,000 Teeth Whitening: $330 Crowns and Bridges: $370-$550 Veneers: $350-$500 Single Implants: $800-$1,500 All-on-4 Implants: $26,450 |
If North Americans wish to go further down below Mexico for better dental health services, they usually go to Costa Rica. |
While not as affordable as the top dental countries on this list, the affordability factor of Costa Rica is 75 percent less than U.S. prices. It’s also the go-to tourist destination for beaches, rainforests, and outdoor activities. |
Czech Republic | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $40-$90 Dental X-ray or CT scan: Dental Cleaning: $16-$180 Tooth Extraction: $46-$62 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $116-$228 Braces: $1,245-$4,070 Teeth Whitening: $287-$457 Crowns and Bridges: $290-$540 Veneers: $145-$623 Single Implants: $899 All-on-4 Implants: $12,000 to $50,000 |
The Czech Republic shares borders with Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. Thus, it welcomes a high number of patients from those countries and other European countries like France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. |
Long story short, if you’re going to avail of world-standard dentistry, you might as well go to one of dentistry’s standard bearers. In some areas they’re more expensive, but they’re always worth it. |
Romania | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $26-$472 Dental X-ray or CT scan: $10-$80 Dental Cleaning: $53 Tooth Extraction: $31-$157 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $148-$210 Braces: $527-$2,110 Teeth Whitening: $241-$335 Crowns and Bridges: $165-$220 Veneers: $110-$660 Single Implants: $765-$808 All-on-4 Implants: $3,150 |
Romania shares borders with Hungary, Serbia, Moldova, and Ukraine. It gets many dental tourists from those countries too. However, many of the European countries served by the Czech Republic also partake in Romanian dental tourism. |
It’s one of the best countries for European dental work because of its relative proximity to all the European countries. You can save up to 70 percent less than Western dental prices. |
Spain | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $21 Dental X-ray or CT scan: $21-$844 Dental Cleaning: $31-$105 Tooth Extraction: $31 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $125-$198 Braces: $1,685-$5,776 Teeth Whitening: $250-$630 Crowns and Bridges: $262-$840 Veneers: $210-$790 Single Implants: $944-$1,573 All-on-4 Implants: $11,000 |
Spain, which can be found just south of France, is one of the pioneers of medical tourism. It has a well-developed dental tourism industry for most European countries, from France to the U.K. to Germany to Italy and so forth. |
Spain surprisingly offers 60 percent lower dental services than the U.S. while having comparable dental expertise and quality to Czechia or even Germany. |
Poland | Consultation/Aftercare: Free or $36-$73 Dental X-ray or CT scan: $12-$93 Dental Cleaning: $61-$73 Tooth Extraction: $122-$146 Wisdom Tooth Removal: $232-$293 Braces: $380-$1,490 Teeth Whitening: $198-$240 Crowns and Bridges: $188-$480 Veneers: $85-$293 Single Implants: $1,128 All-on-4 Implants: $5,570 |
Like Romania, many of the Czech Republic’s regular European clients also go to nearby Poland for dental services. This ranges from Germany to France and the United Kingdom, Italy, and the rest. |
The prices of Poland are significantly lower than in the U.K. and Germany, plus they have internationally accredited dentists available. The two top dental clinics to watch out for in the country are Dentineo and Jesionowa Dental Clinic. |
The Great Things about Dental Tourism
By availing of local dentistry, you’ll have to undergo many loopholes to save money (bargaining with your dental insurance to determine if you’re covered or not) or you’ll simply have to bite the bullet and pay a fortune out-of-pocket.
By availing of the dental tourism route, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how easy it is to get great savings by fixing your teeth in another country.
Once you get over the tediousness of going on a flight or an overnight drive across border lines, you’ll quickly get smooth dental operations with comparable quality to local dental clinics but at the fraction of the price.
It’s particularly useful during dental emergencies in case you don’t want to empty your savings to fix missing teeth or a painful impacted wisdom tooth. You’ll even get a vacation out of it!
Why Choose Thailand and Thantakit Dental Center?
Thailand specifically has a robust and superb dental tourism and medical tourism industry.
Most every dental tourism country offers huge savings, but Thailand uniquely offers a wide variety of quality services.
What’s more, places like the Thantakit Dental Center offer different international brands for crowns, veneers, braces, whitening, and implants but with prices lower than in the West.
The center shares many success stories from patients across the globe, from Americans to the British and Australians and Canadians. They typically go on a wellness vacation to Thailand to deal with multiple issues in one fell swoop.
Learn more from the very satisfied Thantakit patients by clicking the link below!
Enjoy the Best of Both Worlds with Thantakit Dental Center
The four factors that determine the best country for you when it comes to dental tourism includes nearness, touristic value, affordability, and quality service relative to what you can get locally.
With that said, we highly recommend considering the Thantakit Dental Center as your dental tour destination of choice in Thailand for its branded offerings, warranty, and cost-effectiveness.
Thantakit offers both uncompromising quality and prices comparable to your non-branded options stateside or locally.
Thantakit International Dental Center is Thailand’s longest established dental center. Situated in Bangkok, our clinic is renowned across the world as a destination for world-class dentistry, with most of our patients flying to us from Australia.
Contact us today and get a FREE dental consultation!