Medical tourism boom a boon to Pinoy cosmetic dentists

MANILA, Philippines - The ongoing medical tourism boom in the Philippines can usher in a huge windfall, not only for the country’s world-class hospitals and medical clinics, but also for top Filipino cosmetic dentists with US-standard facilities and competence.

This developed as the government lined up an array of international events where the Philippines could promote its health and wellness industry to the global market.

Such events include the second Moscow Medical and Health Tourism Congress on March 16-19, the sixth Annual World Health Tourism Congress in Murcia, Spain on June 17-19, the second Kuwait Medical Tourism Conference and Exhibition in October, and the fourth World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress in Chicago, Illinois on Oct. 26-28.

This was revealed by US-trained Filipino cosmetic dental expert Dr. Cecile Infantado, who was among those invited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to participate in such events.

Infantado’s topnotch professional expertise and US-standard facilities earned her the DOT invitation, which indicated the government’s ongoing worldwide campaign to position the Philippines as a global medical and dental tourism hub.

“True to a fact, we have a very competitive health and wellness tourism industry that is gaining popularity in highly developed and industrialized countries, where dental services and procedures are very expensive. No wonder the DOT is taking advantage of this opportunity to attract hordes of foreign tourists with medical and dental issues,” Infantado said.

“Moreover, the global financial crunch is making people go for cheaper alternatives without sacrificing quality, and even saving them enough cash to spend for travel and tours while having their dental problems treated. And the Philippines simply fits into their requirements, with all the value for money that it can offer,” she said.

“Indeed, the DOT’s efforts are bearing fruit since there are indications that we are beginning to see a boom in the industry,” she added.

This trend began in 2009 when the Philippines hosted the fourth World Health Tourism Congress. Since then, the Philippines has been attracting dental tourists, and many of them have become patients and clients of Infantado’s clinic at the third floor of the Dusit Thani Hotel in Ayala Center, Makati City.

Named “Smiles by Dr. Cecile,” the clinic features high-tech equipment and facilities that blend well with her unique concept of a beautiful, nature-inspired and relaxing dental health environment.

The clinic features holistic dental procedures and services that are not available in most clinics in the country.

Trained in Hawaii and educated at the University of California Los Angeles for advance studies, Infantado is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, whose annual meetings and workshops she attends regularly.

And because of the favorable developments in the dental tourism market, Infantado is now incorporating travel and tour packages in her set of services.

“My foreign patients can now opt to have a tour of Tagaytay, Quezon and other nearby tourism destinations while undergoing my treatment during their stay. All these become part of my service package at a much cheaper cost,” she said.

Such treatments include even the most complex procedures such as the lengthening of teeth that have worn out through the years, making the teeth appear straight and sculpturing gums for gingival symmetry, cosmetic contouring for a more pleasing dental shape and better length-to-width ratio of the teeth, smile lifts for improved facial contours and muscle structure through tooth and bite alignment, and bonding for chipped teeth edges, cracks, and gaps, among many others.

Infantado’s popularity has contributed a lot in giving life to the DOT program dubbed “Smile Holidays” wherein foreigners can have their teeth fixed as part of a package tour.

Smile Holidays includes dental implant, crowns and veneers to give tourists the perfect smile that befits a perfect holiday.

For more information, call Smiles by Dr. Cecile at (+632) 840-4284, 867-3333 local 3415 or 0905-2650889, e-mail at cecile.1122@gmail.com or visit www.smilesbydrcecile.com.