New Report: Nearly 9.6 Million Adults Have Traveled Outside the US to Receive Dental Treatment

High Costs and Access Gaps Push Americans Out of the Country for Dental Care, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health Data Shows

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new report from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health^® reveals that roughly 4% of adults — nearly 9.6 million people — have pursued dental care abroad at some point, most often to access lower-cost treatment, highlighting affordability gaps and systemic barriers in the US dental care system.

The report places these findings in the broader context of dental tourism trends. According to the CDC, dental tourism is the most prevalent form of medical tourism among US residents. In 2019, nearly half a million Americans traveled abroad for dental care. In 2023, experts estimated the global market for dental tourism at $10.9 billion, and they expect this market to continue growing. In the US, approximately 69 million adults (about 26%) do not have dental insurance, and cost remains a major barrier to accessing dental care.

“No one should have to cross borders to access the dental care they need,” said Melissa Burroughs, Senior Director of Public Policy at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. “Quality, affordable oral health care should be within reach in every US community, not something people are forced to seek elsewhere. It’s a matter of equity, dignity, and a health care system that works for everyone.”

A study of seven major industrial countries found that the US ranks as the most expensive place to receive common dental procedures such as cleanings, extractions, fillings, crowns, and root canal treatments. Root canal treatments, for example, average $542 in Canada and $436 in France, compared with $838 in the US.

The findings from the latest State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA) survey reveal:

• Adults are equally likely to have traveled outside the US for dental care regardless of whether they have dental insurance or what type.
• More than half (58%) say they did so because dental treatment costs are lower outside the US.
• Nine percent say they traveled abroad for care because they do not have dental insurance.
• Adults who reached their maximum dental benefit in the past year report traveling for dental care at some point in the past at a higher rate (7.6%) compared with adults who did not reach their maximum dental benefit in the past year (2.7%).

The report also cautions that for individuals choosing to seek dental care abroad, safety should be a top priority. Although dental tourism may offer financial benefits and convenience, it also carries potential risks such as differences in safety standards, challenges in follow-up care, and limited legal recourse if complications occur.

About CareQuest Institute for Oral Health^®
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health^® is a national nonprofit championing a more equitable future where every person can reach their full potential through excellent health. We do this through our work in philanthropy, analytics and data insights, health transformation, policy and advocacy, and education as well as our leadership in dental benefits and innovation advancements. We collaborate with thought leaders, health care providers, patients, and local, state, and federal stakeholders, to accelerate oral health care transformation and create a system designed for everyone. To learn more, visit carequest.org and follow us on X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.