Well...in a completely different vein...
A few months ago, one of our gypsies called me about some problems she was having
with her teeth. She is a young, uninsured, hard-working artisan struggling to build her business.
Like many young people starting out, managing a roof over your head, finding a reliable car
(and mechanic), buying insurance and all the other necessities of American life can be quite a juggling act. Paying off college loans, travelling to art shows, buying supplies and equipment
all make for a lean existence at times. One must also pay for the occasional dance class
and splurge on something beautiful to wear now and then, too.
She had called several dentist offices for quotes and recommendations for care over a 2 year period.
The estimates she received were open-ended, higher than what she could afford, and to make matters worse, she was pressured into all sorts of expensive add-ons wherever she went. She was given to understand that her teeth and gums were so bad that she needed to commit immediately to lengthy
and high-priced treatments. In the interim, she was surprised to find that no one would even clean her teeth or fill her cavities until she had her 'disease' treated. Prices continued to rise as did her fears.
Each attempt left her more demoralized and with feelings of being misled and manipulated.
It was time to do something! I suggested dental tourism.
I had been putting off dental care myself for a few years. I could afford it with some effort,
but I felt that prices were exploitatively high and I just didn't want to participate in our system.
I have dental assistant friends who have shared some inside information about the marketing courses
they are forced to take. Sadly, their jobs have become as much about aggressively up-selling unnecessary services as caring for patients. The tactics that are employed are blatantly manipulative.
Going somewhere like Hungary, India or Thailand where prices are far lower, without sacrificing quality seemed like a good idea. As we talked things over, Thailand was the favored choice for both of us.
We could get our dental work done, receive a lot of great Thai massage and see the world through the microcosm that is Bangkok.
The next day a woman told me that her elderly mother was quoted $1650 for a crown at the dentist
in my neighborhood. Heavens!! Things were worse than I'd thought. That sealed the deal for me!
I searched flight fares, dental quotes from Bangkok clinics and sought out an old favorite guest house
and Thai massage school. Wonderfully, I found that for the price of that crown that we could pay for
a return flight, our guesthouse, meals and still have a little left over for affordable dental work!
I also felt that the Thai dentists would take more time and be far more gentle and patient oriented.
Without any further thought, we chose a clinic, booked our flights and then competed with each other
to pack the smallest bag. Gypsies travel light and on short notice, after all! We are not bound by cultural mandates and are free to make our own way in the world.
to be continued...
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