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Access through your institution Buy or subscribe Dental tourism isn't a new phenomenon, but recently it has become a buzzword in the contemporary dental landscape, provoking concern
from practitioners and policymakers alike. In the UK, a growing number of patients are choosing to bypass our domestic clinics - both NHS and private - in favour of treatments overseas. A
confluence of economic, systemic, and perceptual factors underpins this trend, compelling us to reflect critically on the state of dentistry at home. But why are patients venturing abroad
for dental care, and what aspects of UK dentistry are considered unattractive or prohibitive? The most apparent issue is cost. It is no secret that dental treatment in the UK, whether
through the NHS or the private sector, can be prohibitively expensive. High operating costs from stringent regulations, high overheads, and relatively high labour costs inevitably translate
into increased patient fees. Overseas clinics offer what appear to be the same procedures at a fraction of the price. This stark contrast is perhaps the most compelling argument for patients
on a budget or those who wish to avoid the financial strain associated with high dental bills in the UK. In a system where affordability is a recurrent concern, the allure of cost-effective
treatment abroad is understandable. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS OPTIONS Access through your institution ADDITIONAL ACCESS OPTIONS: * Log in
* Learn about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * The Campbell Clinic, Nottingham, United Kingdom Shaun
Sellars Authors * Shaun Sellars View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to Shaun Sellars. RIGHTS AND
PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Sellars, S. Dental tourism: What's behind the ‘why'?. _BDJ In Pract_ 38, 111 (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-025-3084-8 Download citation * Published: 07 April 2025 * Issue Date: 07 April 2025 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-025-3084-8 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone
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