Dental Tourism Development in India: An Emopirical Study

Abstract

Medical Tourism in India has emerged as one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry despite the global economic downturn.  High cost of treatments in the developed counties, particularly the USA and UK, have been forcing patients from such regions to look for alternative and cost-effective destinations to get their treatments done. The Indian medical tourism industry is presently at a nascent stage, but has enormous potential for future growth and development.  As a significant component of the colossal medical tourism,   Dental Tourism is emerging in the Third World countries, especially in India.  Dental tourists are mainly generated from developed countries such as USA and European countries as theya re looking for developing countries to get their dental treatment coupled with participating in tourism activities.  The lower cost of treatment and availability are the most significant reasons for choosing developing countries as dental tourism destinations.  Dental tourism forms 10 percent of the total Indian medical tourism which is projected to grow at 30 percent to Rs 9,500 crore by 2015.  India produces over 18,000 dentists annually from 238 dental colleges.  The country has around 1,500 oral and maxillofacial surgeons.  A few studies were carried out on various problems faced by the dental tourism industry in India.  The dental  tourist’s perception towards Indian dental tourism industry and their satisfaction level after getting treatment are a few concerns.  This research paper is prepared based on primary and secondary data collected from various sources.  The primary data have been collected from dentists, staff and dental tourists from two famous internationally recognised dental hospitals located in Bangalore, Karnataka.