Dental tourism in Saudi Arabia: A study of what draws international patients
Author(s): Alanoud Fahad Ghazi Alshaibani, Abdulmajeed Mohammed Alotaibi and Ibrahem Nayif R Alotaibi
Abstract:
The tourism industry has a significant impact on the economy and provides several advantages. As a subset of tourism, dental tourism has been on the rise globally. People are leaving their home countries to take advantage of dental care that is both more affordable and more convenient than what they could receive at home. More and more international patients are seeking out dental care facilities, even in Saudi Arabia, thanks to the rise of dental tourism. This research delves into the elements that entice international visitors to take advantage of dental treatments in Saudi Arabia. During the period of February to November 2023, 105 surveys were administered to dental tourists. The questionnaires were designed to resemble interviews, with the dental assistant asking the questions and the dental tourist providing their replies. An overview of the sample's characteristics was obtained through descriptive analysis based on the data from the structured questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire covered sociodemographic characteristics, and the second part dealt with dental factors, including opinions on Saudi tourism, price, quality, and promotion of dental services. The study's emphasis on dental tourism—a topic that has received little attention in Saudi Arabia—is one of its strongest points. By shedding light on what draws tourists from outside Saudi Arabia, this research will have a small but noticeable effect on those tasked with fostering the growth of the tourism sector. In conclusion, Saudi Arabia has quickly become a popular tourist destination because it offers first-rate dental treatment and the chance to make experiences that will last a lifetime.
Alanoud Fahad Ghazi Alshaibani, Abdulmajeed Mohammed Alotaibi, Ibrahem Nayif R Alotaibi. Dental tourism in Saudi Arabia: A study of what draws international patients. Pharma Innovation 2024;13(6):148-151. DOI: 10.22271/tpi.2024.v13.i6b.25750