'Vacation for your teeth' – dental tourists in Hungary from the perspective of Hungarian dentists

Abstract

The findings show that there are several reasons why Hungary could maintain a leading position in dental tourism. First, the cost/benefit ratio is outstanding. The affordable price and value for money were already recognised in the early 1990s and were appreciated even before Hungary joined the EU. Secondly, the high quality of Hungary's dental profession: a) dental professionals in Hungary are well-qualified dental practitioners who have received high level dental training; b) dental professional standards are up-to-date and often supervised; c) in Hungary dental technology, the quality of materials and equipment used in dental practices is of European level quality. The rate of complications in dental care is around 5%, similar to other European countries. Finally, previous treatment experiences are positive and patient satisfaction levels are high. More and more patients seek care in Hungary, and more and more patients state that they would be willing to return for further treatment in the future.

Informed consumer or unlucky visitor? A profile of German patients who received dental services abroad

“…This indicates that dentists at home may not have all relevant information on the treatment provided abroad and may follow different protocols based on national norms. Therefore, our findings further support the need for a unified approach to quality standards for dental care on an international level .…”

International patients on operation vacation – perspectives of patients travelling to Hungary for orthopaedic treatments

“…Previous studies have sought to understand the motivation for seeking medical treatment abroad, and foreign patient satisfaction rates with Hungarian healthcare (3,4,(22)(23)(24)(25). Based on these studies the key motivations include the good cost/benefit ratio (affordable prices), good quality of care, the possibility of combining treatment with holidays, high accessibility, availability of special or joint treatments, high level of trust and pleasant previous treatment experiences (10,15,(22)(23)(24). As widely known, many patients seek dental care in Hungary -mostly in private provision - (22)(23)(24)(25), but nowadays other fields started gaining more attention, such as orthopaedic care (6,15).…”

“…Based on these studies the key motivations include the good cost/benefit ratio (affordable prices), good quality of care, the possibility of combining treatment with holidays, high accessibility, availability of special or joint treatments, high level of trust and pleasant previous treatment experiences (10,15,(22)(23)(24). As widely known, many patients seek dental care in Hungary -mostly in private provision - (22)(23)(24)(25), but nowadays other fields started gaining more attention, such as orthopaedic care (6,15). Cross-border healthcare tends to attract people first from neighbouring regions and nevertheless patients Box 1.…”

Dental Tourism: A Review

“…Today, dental tourism has a 20-year tradition in Hungary and cross border dental care is widely seen as reliable. 4,5 Dental Tourism: Dental Tourism means travelling abroad for affordable, accessible dental care, dental treatment, dental surgery or dental procedures, which are generally high priced in one's own country. 3 This trend was started because of rapidly advancing sky-rocketing costs of healthcare.…”