Dominican dental tourism sector pushes for export-ready business model

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s growing dental tourism segment is demanding a shift in focus from clinical excellence to business strategy to fully capitalize on its international potential. This was the central message delivered at the First Dental Tourism Meeting in the Dominican Republic, successfully held during the 29th Caribbean Tourism Exchange (BTC 2025).

The event’s organizer, Dr. Zoila Fernández, underscored a prevailing challenge facing practitioners: “We were taught how to practice medicine, but not how to sell medicine.” She explained that while Dominican dentists lead the country’s health tourism sector due to decades of high-quality work, most clinics operate as small and medium-sized enterprises (MiPymes). To achieve sustainable growth, professionals must strengthen their business structure, moving beyond solely clinical expertise.

Dr. Fernández noted that the meeting was designed to address a gap in health tourism forums that often overlook the specific reality of the Dominican dental sector. She pointed out that the current context—where the clinic owner often performs clinical, administrative, and operational duties—presents a major opportunity, particularly given the availability of state and private programs designed to support MiPyme development.

Highlighting the sector’s self-made success, Dr. Fernández stated that the growth of dental tourism is largely due to the creativity and individual investment of each dental professional and clinic, rather than institutional or governmental support. She urged key public institutions, such as the Ministry of Tourism and ProDominicana, to integrate the sector into their strategic planning, seeking the same level of assistance provided to other export sectors.

Cielo Reynoso, Amarilys Durán, Rossy Escotto, Zoila Fernández, Digna Paulino, Hilda García and Miguelina Santos. (Photo: BTC 2025)

To consolidate the sector’s international position, Dr. Fernández announced the creation of the First Dominican Dental Tourism Congress (CodonturRD), set for 2026, which will also take place within the framework of the BTC. Legal steps are also underway to form the national Association of Dental Tourism. She concluded that dental tourism should not be elitist; any clinic can offer competitive services by adjusting its business model to current market needs.

The meeting concluded with an expert panel featuring specialists in digital marketing for MiPymes (Milca Peguero), business and finance advising (Digna Paulino), and export business development (Diego Estévez from ProDominicana), alongside renowned cosmetic dentist and industry veteran Dr. Miguel Asenjo.