Hungary is the country with the highest number of dentists per capita in the world. Between 2000 and 2008, the number of dentists in Hungary grew by 56%.
A study of the Hungarian income revenue authority estimated in nearly 60,000 the “tourists” who annually visit the country for dental treatments, generating a flow of money that is about 227 million dollars, including 45 million for food and lodging. Most of these visitors come from countries like UK, France and Scandinavian countries. Waiting for them there are about 300 clinics and 3,000 employees generating a turnover representing 90% of the total generated by medical tourism. Of the 12.3 million overnight stays in 2014, more than 440,000, or 3.5%, are directly connected to dental tourism.
What is the reason of this success?
First of all the excellent reputation of Hungarian dentists, who study in German and English as well as in their mother tongue. This helps them both to specialize in countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK and USA, and in the relation with foreign patients.
Another key factor is price. Even if customers are willing to pay 5 to 7,000 € for a single treatment, a CT scan costs about 200 euro and a plant reaches 1,000 euro. Prices are often 50% lower than those in Western Europe.
Third factor, the service: the majority of clinics offers complete packages covering all patients’needs and some of them also provide for the coverage of accommodation expenses. Consulting and X-rays, in most cases are free.
So, it seems that dentists are to Hungarians like chocolate to Swiss.
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