Hi, I recently read a newspaper article stating that many people are traveling over the border into Tijuana,Mexico to get dental work done. Do you know anyone who has done this and can you recommend a good, clean dental office. Thanks

I just had my periodic cleaning done by Dra. Laura Elias U. here in San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
It was way better than a US periodontist's "deep cleaning" for $550. MXN (about $52. US).
M (MD)

No disrepect, but these are two entirely different procedures--one requiring full mouth anesthesia (and therefore more than one appointment). Unfortunately, the experience on the patient's part is generally subjective. What did you think was "way better"--the hygienist? surroundings? level of (dis)comfort? Unfortunately,there is no means for the patient to evaluate for himself how thoughly the procedure was performed. Buyer beware!

pb,
Having lived through many perio visits: deep cleaning, perio surgery and bone grafts, I think I know the playing field way better than most, including you.
I have a very high pain threshold, require virtually no anesthesia, and yes, the cleaning took 1 hour 25 minutes in one setting.
M (MD; NBME; ABIM; ABNM; ABR)

<<pb,
Having lived through many perio visits: deep cleaning, perio surgery and bone grafts, I think I know the playing field way better than most, including you.>>

m,

Not sure how you evaluate my knowledge, but I'll toss a degree and 20+ years of experience out there. I am sure that there are good dentists in Central America, just as there as incompetent ones in the US. However, in my experience, the standard of care in Central America (as well as in eastern Europe, but that's another MB) is generally substandard--by a significant margin-- and I would not recommend this as a solution to the high cost of dental care.

You may have a high tolerance for pain, but as I am sure you know, local anesthesia has the additional effect of decreasing both bleeding and salivation, allowing the practitioner a much cleaner field. Not to put too fine a point on it,the reality is that most people who don't use anesthesia are bleeding, drooling, moving targets--certainly less than ideal.

Finally,I will reiterate: you cannot possibly know how thoroughly your teeth were cleaned, only your subjective opinion of the experience.

Nothing personal--I am glad that it works for you, but others should be aware of all of the ramifications before they choose a doctor based on cost alone.

L (DMD)

Thanks for your comments, but I have read that there are very good dentists in Mexico as well as in Costa Rica. I just want a movie star smile and was hoping that someone out there could recommend a competent, well educated, english speaking dentist. If you know of one, please reply. Thanks, Millie