[bcoughlan]

So tired of these "European" comments feigning cluelessness to try to feel above others. There is huge variety in healthcare quality across EU countries (waiting lists are years long in my country) and no one can speak of Europe as a monolith and make much sense. People in my (EU) country who have serious illnesses often seek to go to the US for treatment because they have facilities and doctors that specialise in their illness and don't have a hope of survival otherwise.

I see these comments all the time on Reddit and HN but never see the reverse from US posters. They just come across as insecure and snooty.

[asdff]

I think it depends on the context of the treatment and how specialized it needs to be. For example, I've had relatives from the U.S. who have gotten dental work done in Croatia because its cheap enough to the point where they can buy a transatlantic flight and spend some time visiting family members along with getting the root canal and crown done. A lot of people in southern California also opt to drive to Tijuana for dental work or other procedures. If its not some cutting edge thing or world renown surgeon, there is no point to paying the costs associated with a lot of treatment in the U.S. at least. For some stuff, yeah, the U.S. is best in class; Saudi princes fly out to Cleveland to get their heart work done.

[jjeaff]

Sometimes that can be a good idea. But many times, you are also getting riskier, out of date treatment for less. For example, root canals and crowns are kind of the cheaper and less effective way to treat a bad tooth. The gold standard is usually extraction and a new implant.

And considering that you can find a dentist to do a root canal for $300 without too much trouble, I'm surprised anyone would be able to fly to Croatia and get treated for that little.

[asdff]

I think actually it was implants that were done which my dentist quotes me $1600 for in the US

[jjeaff]

Yes, I have heard of people traveling for implants. But if they travel once and are done, then they are going to cheap route there as well. You can get all in one implants, and they are cheaper, even here in the US. But the kind of implants you really should get are the type that require placing a base first and then wait a few months for them to heal and set before installing the posts and permanents.

[AlbertCory]

I'm reminded of that Simpsons episode (can't find it on YouTube easily) where they temporarily have to take in boarders: backpackers and so forth.

Then the financial problem is fixed, and Homer carries one of them, all the while spouting about the European health system, to the garbage can. He says "Time to take out the Eurotrash."