Chennai-based dental care chain Dentistree is eyeing a slice of the fledgling dental tourism market in the country. It has tied up with Parveen Holidays to facilitate medical visa and personalise tour packages with scheduled visits to Dentistree centres.

Dentistree is particularly targeting the markets of Europe and the UK, where it takes “a long time to get dental appointments.The procedures are also 10-20 times more expensive there,” says Dr Mir Ali Reza, Executive Director – Overseas Operations.

The dental tourism market in the country is estimated at Rs 450 crore. “While medical tourism is big in the country, there aren't too many players in dental tourism. We want to focus on this in a big way,” says Dr Reza.

The Web site – smilingtourism.com – guides foreigners through registration, booking and accommodation. Dentistree also allows patients to directly interact with doctors in order to gain confidence, says Dr Reza. This model has done away with medical tourism agents who promise something and deliver something else, he adds.

Currently, Dentistree serves about 15,000 patients a year, across its 12 centres in Tamil Nadu; the number of foreign patients is just 150. Dentistree expects foreigners to account for 20 per cent of its patient base by the end of next year, through the ‘Smiling Tourism' initiative. “We are also identifying dental clinics in Europe and UK to provide follow-up consultation for our patients.”

Malaysia-based Qualitas Medical has a 40 per cent stake in Dentistree. The dental chain plans to expand beyond Tamil Nadu. It is looking for franchise partners and local clinics to tie up with for its pan-India plan.

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