Every year, a growing number of visitors visit us looking for more than sun and beach: a new smile. The country has established itself as the undisputed leader of the Caribbean in dental tourism, an expanding industry that is transforming the economy, the health system and the international image of the nation.
According to the second study and diagnosis of health and well -being tourism, in 2022 more than 179,000 international patients arrived in the country in search of dental services. The economic impact is overwhelmed: the average expenditure per dental tourist exceeds USD 5,000.
The Dominican Republic has managed to position itself thanks to a powerful combination: modern private clinics, many of them members of the Dominican Health Tourism Association (ADTS), professionals with international training and ethical standards, a consolidated and easily accessible tourist destination, savings of up to 60 % compared to the United States or Canada, advanced technology and warm, personalized and bilingual care.
More than health, an opportunity-pais
Despite this regional leadership, structural challenges that require urgent attention persist. Currently, no dental clinic has international accreditation and unregulated professional practice puts the confidence of the global patient at risk.
Faced with this panorama, Dr. Virginia Laureano, president of the Dominican School of Dentists (CDO), calls for action:
“Dental tourism is an opportunity for the country that must be addressed with strategic vision. To sustain this growth, we must raise quality standards, further professionalize the sector.”
Dr. Laureano proposes four essential pillars to generate more confidence in international patients:
Compulsory qualification of dental centers by the Ministry of Public Health, Effective Collegiate and Linking with Scientific Societies, continue with the frontal fight against professional intrusion and promotion of local quality seal and international accreditations
A country agenda
For Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso, President of the ADS, dental tourism represents a powerful tool to position the country as a regional reference in export of services and preventive health:
“Dominican Republic has the opportunity to become the main dental hub of the Caribbean and Central America, integrating tourism, health and innovation. This model not only generates currencies and quality jobs, also improves access to technology and increases the standards of the health system for all.”
Dr. Cambiaso highlights the need to create public policies that recognize health tourism as a strategic sector, promoting investment, accreditations, international alliances and institutional strengthening.
Along the same lines, Lic. Amelia Reyes Mora, Vice President of the ADS and president of strategic AF communication, underlines the importance of global positioning:
“To compete at the global level, we must project our advances with a narrative of excellence, sustainability and commitment to patient safety. With a more robust regulatory framework, incentives for quality and a coherent international promotion strategy, the country has the potential to consolidate as a true world -class medical and dental hub.”
Currently, the Dominican Republic ranks #1 of the Caribbean, #2 of Latin America and #19 of the world as a destination for medical tourism, according to the Medical Tourism Index of the International Healthcare Research Center (IHRC) and the Medical Tourism Association (MTA).
Dr. Laureano will participate as a panelist in the 7th International Congress of Health and Welfare Tourism, organized by the ADS and AF strategic communication that will be held in the country on October 23 of this year.
