Safe Dental Care for Travelers

If you are travelling, it is unlikely that dental care is on the top of your mind. However, should you get a toothache or crack a filling while outside the country, know that:

• The high standards Canada has set for infection control and safety in health care may not be equally matched by other countries;
• In some parts of the world, gloves, sterile instruments, disposable needles, and safe water are not routine elements of dental practice, increasing your risks of getting infections such as hepatitis B or HIV/AIDS; and
• The standards for educating and licensing dental professionals can vary widely between countries.

In case of a dental emergency in a foreign country, knowing what to look for when seeking dental care can help a traveller avoid unnecessary risks.

Related Resources

• Travel Health (Public Health Agency of Canada)
• Travel Health
• Essential Information for Canadians Abroad
• Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures

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Created with permission from The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP)