Dental Tourism Market Size Analysis

The Dental Tourism Market was valued at USD 10.91 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 65.4 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 22.03% over the forecast period 2024-2032.

The Dental Tourism Market report comprises key stakeholder information and emerging trends driving the market. It focuses on patient volume growth and also mentions the increasing population of overseas travelers looking for inexpensive dental treatments. The report also provides a cost savings comparison of expenses in major destinations such as Mexico, Thailand, and Hungary. It also examines the patients' treatment preferences, finishing with a trend for an increasing market for implants, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics. It also looks at trends in health care spending, including out-of-pocket costs and insurance coverage. The study also examines regulatory and accreditation tendencies, discussing the significance of JCI and ISO accreditations for both consumer trust and market growth. These insights provide an overview of the market's changing terrain. Rising predisposition towards low-priced and good-quality dental care will push the dental tourism market. Governments worldwide are implementing supportive policies and developing the necessary infrastructure to promote medical tourism.

Dental Tourism Market Dynamics

Drivers:

• Dental procedures abroad can cost 30% to 70% less than in developed countries, making them attractive to patients seeking affordable care.

Cost savings serve as a significant driver in the dental tourism market, motivating patients to seek dental treatments abroad to reduce expenses. Turkey, with 1.8 million healthcare tourists worth $3.1 billion in revenue, ranked high as the most desired destination in that sector in 2023. From implants that cost $500 in Turkey versus $2,000+ in the USA to other dental procedures with similar price disparity, Turkey is the number one choice for dental tourism. In like fashion, Mexico has emerged as a top pick for North Americans given its nearness and relative low cost. Patients can expect to pay from 50% to 70% less for dental work than in the United States. The cost of dental implants in Mexico starts at $850 Saving up to 70%. In Europe, Spain has emerged as a destination for dental tourism, particularly for UK, German, and French patients. In Spain, the price of dental implants ranges from € 1,150 to € 1,500, while in the UK, it can go above € 2,500. That’s a saving of about 40% to 60%. The cost of dental implants starts from $450; this makes India a competitive location for dental patients The cost is cheaper compared to Western countries

Restraint:

• Differences in language and cultural nuances can hinder effective communication between patients and dental professionals, affecting treatment outcomes.

Dental tourism is fraught with big language barriers, which can facilitate miscommunication about medical histories and treatment plans. Close to 25% of the U.S. population speaks a language other than English in the home, meaning that potential miscommunications abound in healthcare settings. According to a recent article published by Irish Dentistry, concerns have been raised regarding language barriers of patients looking for dental treatments abroad, as those barriers can contribute to misunderstandings of relevant medical histories that can lead to complications that arise in the course of treatment. A study also highlighted that 29% of dental practitioners say language barriers have undermined informed consent and non-collaborative communication, which has substantial implications for the safety and appropriateness of patients' treatments. These numbers highlight the importance of different communication strategies like having bicultural and bilingual staff or hiring interpreters in applying for patient safety and good outcomes in dental tourism.

Opportunity:

• Combining dental care with travel experiences offers patients both treatment and leisure, enhancing the appeal of dental tourism destinations.

The integration of dental care with tourism creates a major opportunity in the dental tourism market, allowing patients to enjoy both cost-effective treatment and educational travel. Such synergism decreases the cost of health care and increases the willingness and desirability to travel for dental procedures. For example, one of the leading countries in dental tourism is Costa Rica, which attracts many American patients. The nation is appealing due to its proximity to the US, quality medical services, and affordable treatments. Most procedures can be performed at Mexican clinics for 30% to 50% less than U.S. prices. This, in addition to the country's wide biodiversity and ecotourism opportunities, enables patients and their companions to enjoy Nature and leisure activities alongside their medical treatments for a more pleasant experience. India, has emerged to become a global destination for medical tourism, including dental tourism. India's medical tourism market was valued at $9 billion in 2022, with around 2 million patients from 78 countries seeking treatment every year. The government initiative also aims to promote this sector which could touch $13 billion by 2026 under the ‘Heal in India’ initiative. Cities like Chennai, known as "India's Health City," attract about 45% of health tourists visiting India, offering advanced medical facilities alongside rich cultural experiences. Turkey has also become a prominent destination for dental tourism. In 2023, the number of healthcare tourists arriving in the country was 1.8 million people, with a revenue of 3.1 billion US dollars. Patients come to Turkey not only for the affordable cost of dental procedures but also to visit its historical sites and lively culture. While the integration of dental care with tourism brings significant advantages, patients need to do their due diligence. Because the standard of care can vary widely, it's vital to ensure the quality and safety of medical services performed abroad to reduce the risk of complications.

Challenge:

• Inconsistent hygiene, safety, and professionalism across countries can expose patients to risks, including substandard materials and underqualified practitioners.

Dental tourism is the newest sector of medical tourism, which has also had immense growth, with a revenue of 3.1 billion dollars and 1.8 million health tourists to Turkey in 2023. But this explosion in booking has revealed challenges involving inconsistent standards of care from one destination to another. For example, at least 28 British nationals have died after medical procedures in Turkey since 2019, fuelling fears over the standard and safety of treatments. A further survey by Insure & Go estimated that 15,000 Australians travel overseas each year for medical procedures, with dental treatments being the most common. When done in countries where practices are not up to standard, however, these patients are at a high risk of adverse outcomes such as infections and other complications. Additionally, there is often poor follow-up care after the procedure that can compound the problems, making it easier for patients to succumb to unwanted outcomes. Australian government warnings noted that the financial costs of such complications are often not covered by travel insurance or Medicare. These statistics highlight the pressing need for thorough research and vigilance when contemplating dental treatments overseas, as the lack of consistency in standards of care can result in serious health risks and unexpected costs.

Dental Tourism Market Segmentation Analysis

By Services

The dental implants segment dominated the market with a revenue share of around 36%, owing to a large number of patients opting for dental implants in countries abroad providing reliable and affordable solutions. Implants are favored due to their high success rates and the ease of fabricating them. The global dental implants market is anticipated to expand considerably, owing to technological advancements such as AI integration that can improve efficiency and comfort for the patient. The dental implants market is growing in the U.S. owing to the high prevalence of tooth decay and edentulism, with about 31% of the population in the age group of 20s to 44s living with dental carries, according to information from the CDC. The availability of qualified professionals and state-of-the-art dental facilities in tourist destinations has also fueled the demand for dental implants in tourism.

Affordable prices and high-quality care in countries such as Hungary or Mexico are also responsible for the popularity of dental implants in dental tourism. These countries offer inexpensive alternatives to the high costs of dental procedures in developed countries like the United States. Its use in dental procedures like dental implants has increased precision and decreased recovery time, therefore making them a good option for tourists with a rather smaller budget. Thus, from custom dental implants to reduced procedure time, thanks to 3D printing, the advantages of improvement in precision level and efficiency in dental restorations have made dental tourism even more attractive for implant procedures.

By Providers

The dental clinics provider segment held the largest market share in 2023, owing to their cost-effectiveness and availability of specialists. Dental clinics are preferred over hospital chains for personalized care and low costs globally. The presence of several dental clinics in the U.S. is anticipated to provide lucrative growth opportunities to the segment as they are cost-effective, specialists are available, and advanced technology is utilized in the segment. The growth is substantiated on account of the greater number of dental clinics owing to higher penetration of dental specialists combined with the establishment of new clinics. In addition, the creation of new dental clinics supports the better availability of dental treatment services that is anticipated to drive the demand for the market in the forecast period.

The dental clinics in popular tourism destinations, where the cost of treatment is higher than in Central and Eastern Europe, create all-inclusive packages including costs of treatment, accommodation, and travel, which becomes more favorable and exciting for the patients. Holistic services, such as spa and wellness programs, are integrated into the design process of dental clinics, which enhances the patient experience, there by dominating the overall market. Moreover, dental clinics collaborate with travel agencies to provide seamless services for international patients, making it easier for them to plan and arrange their travel.

Dental Tourism Market Regional Insights

In 2023, the Asia-Pacific region led the dental tourism market and held the largest share of 43%, owing to cheap dental services and several government initiatives aimed at increasing medical tourism. It is also the region expected to grow with the highest CAGR, driven by several countries that provide advanced procedures at a low cost. In 2023, the Asia-Pacific accounted for a significant proportion of the market due to the high cost of dental treatment in developed countries and the lower cost of treatment in countries such as Thailand and Malaysia.

The Asia-Pacific region holds a prominent position owing to increasing concern towards healthcare infrastructure together with available skilled personnel. Compliance with supportive policies and visa facilitations in such countries encourage dental and medical tourism and make it easier for international patients. Growing regulatory support from the organizations across these regions will create several business opportunities during the upcoming year. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of cosmetic dentistry and the application of advanced technologies, such as the emerging concept of teledentistry, further enhance the growth of the region. Europe is projected to record the highest CAGR over the forecast years, particularly in light of the effect of healthcare systems like that of France, which can represent an alternative to U. S. healthcare systems. Longer waiting times for treatment in countries such as Canada are causing patients to flock to European destinations for dental care services. The popular tourism industry and increased interest in dental cosmetics are expected to fuel growth for the region over the next few years.

Key Players in the Dental Tourism Market

Key Service Providers/Manufacturers

• Planmeca (Planmeca Romexis, Planmeca Emerald S)

• Straumann (Straumann Dental Implant System, SLActive Implant Surface)

• KaVo Kerr (KaVo MASTERtorque LUX M8900L, Kerr OptiBond Universal)

• Henry Schein (ProRepair Dental Handpiece Repair, Dentrix Practice Management Software)

• Dentsply Sirona (CEREC CAD/CAM System, Astra Tech Implant System)

• Envista Holdings Corporation (Nobel Biocare Implants, Ormco Orthodontic Products)

• Zimmer Biomet Dental (T3 Implant, Trabecular Metal Dental Implant)

• 3M Oral Care (Filtek Dental Restoratives, Clinpro Sealant)

• GC Corporation (GC FujiCEM, GC Initial Ceramic System)

• Ivoclar Vivadent (IPS e.max System, Bluephase Curing Lights)

• Danaher Corporation (KaVo MASTERmatic Series, Kerr SonicFill 2)

• Carestream Dental (CS 9600 CBCT System, CS 3700 Intraoral Scanner)

• Align Technology (Invisalign, iTero Scanner)

• BioHorizons (Tapered Internal Implant System, Laser-Lok Technology)

• Osstem Implant (TS Implant System, CAS-KIT)

• Bicon Dental Implants (SHORT Implants, MAX 2.5 Abutment)

• Coltene (HyFlex EDM Files, AFFINIS Impression Material)

• Septodont (Septocaine, Biodentine)

• Ultradent Products (Opalescence Whitening, UltraSeal XT plus)

• Vatech (PaX-i3D Green, EzRay Air Portable)

Recent Developments in the Dental Tourism Market

• In November 2023, Clove Dental parent company Global Dental Services secured a USD 50 million equity investment from the Qatar Investment Authority to expand its network of dental clinics and oral care services in India.

• Dentakay, a leading Turkish dental health tourism provider, opened its first clinic in the Saudi capital in February 2024, boosting its presence in the Saudi and GCC scene.