Dental work in Negril, or Sav?

[Rob]

Dana1,

As you point out, you have no idea if the sterilization procedures are different than Canada, "just saying" something you know nothing about can be misleading. Since I dont know the sterilization procedures in Canada, it is equal for me to state that the procedures here may be different, even stricter than those procedures in Canada.

But, Jamaican dental office procedures are taken no more lightly here than in Canada. There are strict licensing rules and regulations along with continuing education that are also closely regulated. There are also strict insurance requirements should something go wrong the insurance company would incur the additional costs, not the patient. The patient need not be overly concerned about that issue.

I understand that you are trying to keep your fellow countrymen's dental business in Canada, which is good for your business and Canada's economy.

But to make statements that you admit you know nothing about can mislead people.

[Dana1]

Dana1,

As you point out, you have no idea if the sterilization procedures are different than Canada, "just saying" something you know nothing about can be misleading. Since I dont know the sterilization procedures in Canada, it is equal for me to state that the procedures here may be different, even stricter than those procedures in Canada.

But, Jamaican dental office procedures are taken no more lightly here than in Canada. There are strict licensing rules and regulations along with continuing education that are also closely regulated. There are also strict insurance requirements should something go wrong the insurance company would incur the additional costs, not the patient. The patient need not be overly concerned about that issue.

I understand that you are trying to keep your fellow countrymen's dental business in Canada, which is good for your business and Canada's economy.

But to make statements that you admit you know nothing about can mislead people.

Wow...sorry I had the gall to state an opinion that differed from yours. Obviously, you are the self-elected ambassador of all things Jamaica. I'm glad you're such an expert on the subject. I have personally dealt with insurance companies, and rest assured they will NOT cover the additional costs if something goes wrong especially when done by a different provider and in a foreign country. I was merely stating that I would not encourage someone to have major dental procedures which may require follow up later by a dentist in a foreign country simply because it's "cheaper". Only your own regular dentist knows the history of your mouth and can advise if the treatment will work for your particular case. There may be varying reasons for failure...infection, decay, fracture, condition of one's mouth. For example, we had a patient recently that had bridgework done in Columbia....the work was satisfactory to the patient however within months she developed decay under the bridgework and unfortunately ended up having the teeth extracted. For you to recommend foreigners to have major dental work done in a foreign country is incredibly naive of you and does no one a good service. And furthermore, any reputable dentist would advise having the treatment done by a dentist in their own country so that proper follow up care is received.

[Rob]

...I have personally dealt with insurance companies, and rest assured they will NOT cover the additional costs if something goes wrong especially when done by a different provider and in a foreign country.....

Dana1,

Your insults aside, I have worked for and with insurance companies, and no, your provider will not cover you in a foreign country. But I am talking about the Dentist's insurance company - not the patient's. They most certainly will cover the additional costs of the dentist's patients. And some of the people who seek this less expensive alternative are not insured for dental in the first place. So the only coverage they would have would be the Dentist's insurance coverage should something go awry.

Medical Tourism is one of the fastest growing markets and Dental Tourism is part of it. There are even websites devoted to that new form of tourism:

http://www.dentaldepartures.com/arti...-destinations/

As for only your own regular dentist knowing the history of your mouth, what happens if they retire? Should you stop going to any dentist? What if you move out of town and need a new dentist? Should you not seek one since they are not your own regular dentist? You argument doesnt hold water.

Complications can occur from any medical procedure. That poor girl in the US who had the tonsillectomy is one of the most recent examples. Such a sad case, and this was performed by her own doctors. Complications can occur anywhere. But they are fortunately rare and not the norm. It is a risk that everyone takes when going through any medical procedure.

But since you have never visited a dentist in Jamaica, let alone the one's we have recommended, to insinuate that the care you would receive in Jamaica would be sub-par to the care you would receive in Canada is amazingly unfair. Medical tourism is here whether you like it or not - and that fact will not change any time soon.