Why 52,000 Canadians Packed Their Bags for Dental Work in 2024
Canada has some of the best dentists in the world. So why did tens of thousands of Canadians hop on a plane to get their teeth fixed abroad last year? The answer is less about distrust and more about dollars — and the numbers tell a story that's hard to ignore.
The Cost Gap Is Enormous
A single dental implant in Canada can run anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. The same procedure in Mexico, Hungary, or Thailand? Often under $1,000 — sometimes significantly less. For Canadians needing full-mouth restorations, All-on-4 implants, or extensive cosmetic work, the savings can easily reach $20,000 to $40,000 on a single trip. Even after factoring in flights, hotels, and time off work, the math is almost always in the patient's favor.
Canada's Dental Coverage Gaps Are Real
Despite the rollout of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, coverage remains limited for millions of adults. The plan prioritizes uninsured Canadians in lower income brackets, but a huge swath of working Canadians still face full out-of-pocket costs for anything beyond basic cleanings. Cosmetic procedures, implants, veneers, and orthodontics? Almost never covered. For people who need significant work, waiting for domestic coverage to catch up simply isn't a viable option.
Top Destinations and Why They Work
Mexico — particularly cities like Los Algodones, Tijuana, and Cancún — captures the lion's share of Canadian dental tourists. The proximity, well-established dental tourism infrastructure, and clinics staffed by North American-trained dentists make it a natural choice. Hungary has become the dental capital of Europe, attracting Canadians who pair the trip with travel. Thailand, Costa Rica, and Colombia round out the popular list. What these destinations share: internationally accredited clinics, English-speaking staff, modern equipment, and prices that are a fraction of Canadian rates.
Quality Concerns Are Fading
The old worry about dental tourism — that cheaper means riskier — is losing its grip. Many top dental tourism clinics hold international accreditations, use the same materials and technologies as Canadian practices, and have Google review counts in the thousands. Canadians are doing serious research before they go, choosing clinics with transparent pricing, consultation guarantees, and warranty programs on major procedures. The rise of dedicated dental tourism agencies and patient communities has made vetting clinics far more accessible.
The Hidden Driver: Long Wait Times at Home
Even Canadians who could afford local care are running into another wall: availability. Finding a dentist accepting new patients in many Canadian cities is genuinely difficult, with waits stretching months for specialist referrals. Dental tourists often report getting consultations, treatment plans, and completed procedures within days of landing — a contrast that feels dramatic to anyone who's spent six months on a waitlist at home.
The Numbers Will Keep Growing
With inflation continuing to pressure household budgets and the gap between what Canadians need and what their coverage provides showing no signs of closing quickly, dental tourism is not a niche workaround — it's becoming a mainstream decision. The 52,000 who went in 2024 aren't outliers. They're early adopters of a trend that is quietly reshaping how Canadians think about accessing healthcare.
The message is straightforward: when the cost of flying to another country and getting world-class dental work done is less than a single procedure at home, Canadians are going to keep going.
