The smile that drives a country: the Dominican Republic leads dental tourism in the Caribbean
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According to the Second Study and Diagnosis of Health and Wellness Tourism, more than 179,000 international patients came to the country for dental services in 2022.
Santo Domingo. – Every year, a growing number of visitors come to the country looking for more than sun and beaches: a new smile. The country has established itself as the undisputed leader in dental tourism in the Caribbean, a growing industry that is transforming the economy, the health system and the nation’s international image.
According to the Second Study and Diagnosis of Health and Wellness Tourism, more than 179,000 international patients came to the country for dental services in 2022. The economic impact is striking: the average spend per dental tourist exceeds USD 5,000.
The Dominican Republic has built this position thanks to a powerful combination: modern private clinics, many of them members of the Dominican Health Tourism Association (ADTS); internationally trained professionals with ethical standards; an established, easily accessible tourist destination; savings of up to 60% compared with the United States or Canada; advanced technology; and warm, personalised, bilingual care.
More than health, an opportunity for the country
Despite this regional leadership, structural challenges remain that require urgent attention. Currently, no dental clinic holds international accreditation, and unregulated professional practice puts the trust of global patients at risk.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Virginia Laureano, President of the Dominican College of Dentists (CDO), is calling for action:
“Dental tourism is an opportunity for the country that must be approached with strategic vision. To sustain this growth, we must raise quality standards and further professionalise the sector.”
Dr. Laureano proposes four essential pillars to build greater trust among international patients:
Mandatory licensing of dental centres by the Ministry of Public Health, effective professional registration and links with scientific societies, continuing the head-on fight against unlicensed practice, and promoting a local quality seal and international accreditations
A national agenda
For Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso, President of the ADTS, dental tourism is a powerful tool for positioning the country as a regional benchmark in service exports and preventive health:
“The Dominican Republic has the opportunity to become the leading dental hub in the Caribbean and Central America, bringing together tourism, health and innovation. This model not only generates foreign currency and quality jobs, it also improves access to technology and raises the standards of the health system for everyone.”
Dr. Cambiaso highlights the need for public policies that recognise health tourism as a strategic sector, promoting investment, accreditation, international partnerships and institutional strengthening.
Along the same lines, Amelia Reyes Mora, Vice President of the ADTS and President of AF Comunicación Estratégica, stresses the importance of global positioning:
“To compete globally, we must present our progress with a narrative of excellence, sustainability and commitment to patient safety. With a stronger regulatory framework, incentives for quality and a coherent international promotion strategy, the country has the potential to establish itself as a genuine world-class medical and dental hub.”
The Dominican Republic currently ranks #1 in the Caribbean, #2 in Latin America and #19 in the world as a medical tourism destination, according to the Medical Tourism Index of the International Healthcare Research Center (IHRC) and the Medical Tourism Association (MTA).
Dr. Laureano will be a panellist at the 7th International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress, organised by the ADTS and AF Comunicación Estratégica, which will be held in the country on 23 October this year.