Alireza Jabbari,; Farzaneh Mahmoudi Meymand; Fatemeh Nezamdoust; Zahra Agharahimi; Leila Shojaei
Volume 9, Issue 7 , December 2012, , Pages 1032-1038
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, dental tourism had a growing trend. As a branch of medical tourism, indental tourisms people travel abroad to receive dental services which are with a higher cost in theircountry. This study aimed to identify potential of dental tourism in Isfahan, Iran.Methods: This was ...
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Introduction: In recent years, dental tourism had a growing trend. As a branch of medical tourism, indental tourisms people travel abroad to receive dental services which are with a higher cost in theircountry. This study aimed to identify potential of dental tourism in Isfahan, Iran.Methods: This was a qualitative study that was conducted in 2011 in Isfahan. Data collection was doneusing a semi-structured questionnaire with directed questions that was completed through interview. Formeasurement of the validity, the data of the qualitative study was checked with some participants toensure the acceptance rate (objectivity). Dentists who provided service for foreign patients during the pastyear were selected.Results: Out of 79 patients who were referred to dentists and participated in the study, 63.3% of themwere females. Reconstructive services were allocated the highest percentage (58.2) between the types ofservices received by the foreign patients. 81.8% were with Iranian nationality residing abroad. Potential ofdental tourism in seven categories were the demand conditions, urban advantages of Isfahan, manpoweroperating conditions, competitive conditions in the dental centers offering medical tourism, medicaltourism requirements, related and supporting industries and information strategies.Conclusion: Despite suitable capabilities of ecotourism, professional staff and competitive advantage inIsfahan, its position is not clear yet. To develop the dental tourism in Isfahan, It is necessary to strengthenrequirements for medical tourism, increase coordination of related and supporting industries, increaseinformation strategy and marketing.
