The three or four times lower prices charged in Romania comparedwith Western Europe coupled with the opportunity to visit a EasternEuropean country are the driving forces behind the medical tourismmarket in Romania, although it is still far behind countries likePoland and the Czech Republic, writes Business Magazinweekly.
From the window of his practice in Iasi, dentist Sebastian Lupuwatches aeroplanes land on the city's airport. "It appears patientswill not be a problem this year, either," he says. Back in 2004 thedentist started a business not many thought would be successful:Dental Travel set out to provide quality services to foreigners ata significantly lower price than in their home country. Lupu foundthe idea on the Internet and, after talking to other doctorsabroad, he opened a practice in Iasi and invested in a website topromote the business.
It is not very complicated to organise the "'stay": "Once they getto Romania, the patients are picked up at the airport by mypartners and transported to the hotel they chose from theIasi-based websites."
Patients are usually between 40 and 50 years of age, have a family,responsibilities, but can only afford to pay for dental treatmentin their own country via a bank loan. The doctor says Italians, whocome to him most often, are very prejudiced about Romania ("we arenegatively depicted in the Italian press"), so those who come toRomania usually had previous contact with Romanians and know theyhave nothing to fear.
Some of the patients return even for the sixth time, attracted byRomania, but more than anything else, by the price.
"Whereas a porcelain tooth crown costs 650 euros in Italy, here wecharge four-five times lower prices, and give discounts to loyalclients," explains the doctor.
The price of such a holiday is up to 5,000 euros, whereas in Italy,the treatment alone costs close to 20,000 euros.
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