BajaNews
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Many heading to Mexico for affordable dental care
http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=5831539&nav=9qrx
By Melanie Hebert
A lot of people are going "south of the border" to find affordable dental care. One city in Baja, California has tripled the number of dentists in the
last 10 years, with more than 350 dentists practicing, all within 10 minutes walking distance from the border.
Some say dental work there is far less expensive than here in the U.S.
NewsChannel 3 investigates if those lower costs have Americans heading to Mexico for their dental work.
You might think you're better off getting your dental work done in your own country, if you can afford it. But when you're talking about major dental
procedures in the United States, you could be out of pocket thousands of dollars.
Here was my "Christmas list:" a root canal, a crown and a night guard. In the United States, at estimated costs of $800, $1100 and $450, totalling
about $2350.
But three trips to the Los Algodones/California border cut my dental costs by almost 80% percent.
Here's the break down. In Mexico, I paid $250 for a root canal and post, $200 for a crown, mouth guard, $50. Total, $500.
So, the price is right. But now you're waiting for the catch.
Well first, of course there's the drive. Los Algodones is about a two-and-a-half hour drive from Palm Desert. Although we found most offices open on
Saturdays, which might give you more flexibility.
And then there's the language barrier. But, we found many dentists in Los Algodones actually speak English very well, including our dentist, Dr. Luis
Miguel Escobar.
"You will see the difference. You will feel the difference."
Dr. Escobar says 90 percent of his business comes from U.S. citizens.
"We come here because we like Dr. Escobar's work," said Jim and Holly Evans from Wyoming.
"Truthfully, when my husband retired, our dental coverage was ceased, it was no more, so the price is absolutely right and he's good at what he does,"
said Sharon McGillirey.
So if you can get past the drive and the fear of a different language, then there are the legal concerns, which lead to a lot of fears for Americans.
"I think there's people that think they're not as skilled or clean or their hygiene isn't as good, but that's totally wrong. They're just as good or
equal."
In Mexico, you won't be protected by the same malpractice laws as in the United States. That's why it's crucial to know the history of your dentist,
have a good recommendation and a guarantee that he or she will stand by the work.
"There's like those urban legends, like, I know a friend of a friend of a friend, but if you talk with the patients, it will be very hard to find a
bad experience."
We asked Dr. Escobar if he thought it was easier for people to practice dentistry with fake credentials in Mexico than in the U.S.?
"A couple years ago it probably was a lot easier, but now it's a lot more difficult because every two months, three months, it depends, they don't
have a special date to do it. The Department of Health, they check you, without an appointment, they just walk in and start to check all the papers
you have."
We checked Dr. Escobar's education background and credibility thoroughly. But if you still don't believe a Mexican dentist could be as good as an
American dentist, we put it to the test.
We asked Palm Desert dentist Dr. Luis Moya to fully examine the work I had done, without telling him we went to Mexico.
"I can see that you had a root canal done. I don't see any decay since the root canal was done well."
Dr. Moya gave me 12 X-rays and a thorough consultation and the only questionable work he found was on dentistry I had done here in the United States.
"I am also part of those dentists that have education in other parts of the world. I believe it's more ethics. With education, I believe they will
teach you how to do things. But the main thing is ethics, morals, values, the care for the patients more than anything."
Dr. Moya says he has redone work on several patients who went to Mexican dentists, but that there are good and bad dentists everywhere.
"I always tell them, you know, I think there are great people, great professionals everywhere. I just think they need to know who they're going to."
"I think the clue or the key is to always get a second opinion, here, in the U.S., wherever, always get a second opinion," said Dr. Escobar.
Experts suggest meeting your dentist first for a consultation before scheduling any procedures and be prepared to pay in cash, because many Mexican
dentists don't take credit cards or checks.
As for parking, you can park in the United States and walk right across the border, unless you have Mexican auto insurance.
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bancoduo
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Posts: 1003
Registered: 10-3-2005
Location: el carcel publico mazatlan sin.
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I need to find a cheap dentist. My wife won't let me back in the trailer until I get my tooth cleaned.
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DENNIS
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Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Hey duo -------
I know of a "cheap" dentist in Ensenada. She's a real trollop. Stilleto shoes, crotch-high skirt, huge emerging breasts, lipstick from nose to chin,
yesterdays perfume, smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish, and has a tooth in need of attention. Oh yeah, house calls only.
Would you like her number? I have it right here.........and there.....
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Price
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Posts: 168
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: Las Vegas/San Felipe
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I have a HUGE aversion to dentists - but I need to go to one - anyone know of a GREAT dentist in San Felipe- one with prices LOW ????????????????
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Price - Dr. Edward Castnada on Mar de Cortez next to Chumpo's pizza
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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