'Vacation for your teeth' - dental tourists in Hungary from the perspective of Hungarian dentists.

BACKGROUND: Hungary has become a popular destination for foreign patients in the last two decades, particularly in dental care. Since 2008, increasing prices in Western Europe coupled with Hungary's accessibility and availability of dental treatment, has meant the country has become a leader in 'dental tourism'. As the quality of care in Hungary is high and prices are more affordable than in Western Europe, and due to the freedom of movement of people, services and goods within the EU, patient flow into Hungary has increased progressively. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to provide comprehensive empirical evidence from the perspective of a recipient country in dental tourism. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted among Hungarian dentists (n = 273). Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with representatives of dental professional bodies (n = 10). Both research methods aimed to elicit dentists' views on the presence of dental tourism - particularly the push and pull factors (for example, source countries, competitors, information sources, patient motivation). RESULTS: The findings show that there are several reasons why Hungary could maintain a leading position in dental tourism. First, the cost/benefit ratio is outstanding. The affordable price and value for money were already recognised in the early 1990s and were appreciated even before Hungary joined the EU. Secondly, the high quality of Hungary's dental profession: a) dental professionals in Hungary are well-qualified dental practitioners who have received high level dental training; b) dental professional standards are up-to-date and often supervised; c) in Hungary dental technology, the quality of materials and equipment used in dental practices is of European level quality. The rate of complications in dental care is around 5%, similar to other European countries. Finally, previous treatment experiences are positive and patient satisfaction levels are high. More and more patients seek care in Hungary, and more and more patients state that they would be willing to return for further treatment in the future.

[Medical education and the needs of human resources in the Hungarian health care system]. / Orvosképzésünk és az egészségügyi rendszer emberi eróforrás-igényei.

The strategic aims of medical education are discussing, from the view of the human resource demands in a modern healthcare system. The authors summarise the logical framework of medical functioning based on medical development and economical circumstances, and describe the role of personal skills in the daily work. Afterwards they discuss the development of medical education in the last three decades and present the tight connection between cognitive sciences and developing results mentioned above. The authors analyse some special points of the Hungarian medical faculties. In the conclusion they have shown the possibilities to support the Hungarian healthcare reform by the educational development.