In this guide
In the best public data we could find, a CDC study of 2016 survey data from 11 US states and territories, about 13 in every 1,000 adults had traveled abroad for medical care in the past year. Mexico was the top destination, for about 4 in 10 trips, and dentistry made up more than half of treatments. The reasons are economic: dental care is often poorly insured, and Mexico is close.
What the data shows
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Adults who went abroad for care in the past year | 1.32% (weighted), in 11 states and territories |
| Top destination | Mexico, 41% of trips |
| Most common treatment | Dentistry, 55% |
Source: CDC researchers, Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (2022), using 2016 survey data. There's no reliable current national count; commercial estimates range widely and are poorly sourced.
Why dental care
- Original Medicare doesn't cover most dental care, such as cleanings, fillings, extractions or dentures.
- Many adults have no dental insurance, and many dental plans have low yearly maximums, so big jobs like implants are largely paid in cash.
- Dental work is often planned, not urgent, so people can shop around and schedule a trip.
Why Mexico
- Distance: a short flight, or a drive for people near the border.
- Clinics built for US patients, with English-speaking staff and US-style marketing.
- Price: cash prices that are often much lower for the same procedure.
The economics
When insurance doesn't cover something, people pay the full price, and they start comparing. For services that are planned, standardized and paid in cash, borders become part of the market. That's exactly the pattern in the CDC data.
Before you go: what to check
- The dentist's license and the clinic's accreditation, and how to verify them.
- An itemized treatment plan and quote, in writing, before you travel.
- Number of visits: implants often need two or more trips, months apart. Budget for every trip.
- Materials and brands used for implants and crowns, so your dentist at home can work with them later.
- Who fixes problems if something goes wrong after you're home.
- Travel safety: check the US State Department's state-by-state advisories for Mexico.
Sources
- CDC: population-based surveillance of medical tourism among US residents from 11 states and territories stacks.cdc.gov
- Medicare.gov: dental services medicare.gov
Please note. General information, not dental or medical advice.
Reviewed at least every three monthsNo paid placementsInformation, not medical adviceOur editorial standards
Joe Yang, PhD, Economics. Joe Yang holds a PhD in economics from the University of Washington. For four years Joe evaluated the costs and savings of US health programs for insurers and employers at a health-analytics company, and before that studied pricing and demand as an economist at Amazon and a data scientist at Oracle. These guides apply the same discipline to a simpler question: what care really costs, and where.
