The Tribune

By Dr Andre Clarke WE live and work in The Bahamas. Many persons the world over call The Bahamas "paradise" and the slogan, "It is better in The Bahamas", is well known. Is it really better in The Bahamas when it comes to healthcare? Many Bahamian citizens and residents commonly travel to other countries to seek medical and dental care. Why do persons choose to seek medical care in another country? Why do persons feel compelled to seek dental care in another country? Regardless of the reason why, it is done; it is being done. It is the right of everyone and anyone to seek healthcare wherever they choose. If you are considering taking a dental vacation outside of The Bahamas, you should consider what the Organisation for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) has to say. The OSAP was founded in 1984 and is a non-profit organisation. It is made up of a group of dental educators, consultants, researchers, clinicians and dental industry representatives with a collective mission to be the world's leading advocate for the safe and infection-free delivery of oral healthcare. They have said that "the decision to visit another country for dental care should go beyond simply comparing prices or even evaluating the dentists' expertise. Countries differ in their standards for infection control and safety. The use of fresh gloves, sterile instruments and safe water are not standard practice in all countries. Without these precautions, patients could be infected with diseases." In order for a dentist to work in The Bahamas, they must be registered with the Bahamas Dental Council. It is a matter of protocol that their academic credentials be scrutinised and the dental institution/college from which they graduated be assessed. After this thorough investigation, the board members of the Bahamian Dental Council will then decide if the applicant will be allowed to work in The Bahamas. If deemed necessary, the dentist desirous of working in The Bahamas will have to subject himself to a Bahamas Dental Council instituted dental examination. The examination is commonly administered in The Bahamas, Barbados or Jamaica. Dentists are healthcare professionals. They are doctors of the mouth. They diagnose and treat mouth diseases, perform mouth surgeries and manage mouth traumas. These are just a few of their skill sets. The Bahamas Dental Council has ensured only the best dentists are allowed to practice dentistry in The Bahamas. When seeking dental services in a foreign land, it is necessary to confirm that the dentists there have comparable levels of expertise as those in The Bahamas. This may be easier said than done, because the country where the dental work is to be performed may not have comprehensive dental regulations like The Bahamas does. The Bahamas Dental Council institutes guidelines to prevent the spread of infections within dental offices; to prevent excessive patient irradiation; and to prevent the dumping of biomedical waste in the environment. It is crucial to know whether the dental vacation destination has a regulatory body acting in a similar fashion. Dental guidelines play an important role in maintaining a high standard of care and are in place to protect patients and dental office staff. Other items for consideration when travelling to obtain dental care are insurance coverage, privacy laws and the appropriate storage of dental records. Yet another consideration is that of a follow-up visit. Will a follow-up visit be necessary after the dental procedure, and if so, can it be done in The Bahamas or will it have to be done in the destination country? Insurance coverage as mentioned above should be considered closely. Insurance companies are usually governed by specific parameters and it is important to know if your insurance company will pay for a local follow-up visit after a dental vacation. Will they need your medical details from the foreign country? Can those dental records be transferred from the dental tourist destination to The Bahamas swiftly and comprehensively? It may be prudent to schedule a dental appointment locally before you embark on a dental vacation, in order to establish and record a baseline of your mouth's health. Always know your starting point so you can quantify the benefits, if any, of your dental vacation. Finally and most importantly, personal comfort and recovery time need to be considered. No one wants to be on a flight or on a boat in pain and/or bleeding. Sometimes cabin pressure or rough seas can intensify what would otherwise be a routine healing experience. It is therefore necessary to include time for recuperation when travelling to receive dental care. It should not and must not be overlooked. If you have decided to receive your dental care locally or in another country, please ensure that you are happy with the skill of the dental professional performing the procedure. Be smart. Be safe. Keep your mouth alive.