Dental Work in Mexico??
 

Has anyone had any experience of traveling to Mexico for dental work? The estimate from our dentist for my husbands dental work is $17,000, our share after insurance. If we could find a reputable dentist in Mexico (I'm sure there must be some there)it would be more cost effective to combine a vacation with dental appointments. There is no way, being retired, that we can afford $17K now.

Have you thought about getting a 2nd opinion?

I'm sure there are one or two in Mexico City who might qualify, but I'm not sure you would save a whole lot since part of the expense in the US is covered by your dental insurance.
Some med/den insurance will cover RX outside the US, but typically one has to pay up front and submit a claim which is often subjected to very intense "scrutiny".
M

There are American trained dentists in Tijuana, but I'll take my chances in the U.S. even if it costs more. I agree that you should get a 2nd opinion. I'd rather take out a loan than have my dental work done in Mexico.

I heard an interview on CBC Radio with a Canadian trained dentist from Edmonton. He has set up a private clinic somewhere in Mexico, sorry I didn't hear the city. From what I remember the prices were much cheaper than we pay here.

I have a couple of suggestions I would do way before going to Mexico:

Get a second and third opinion - your friend must have other dentists they can reco

Find a local dental school - the best local dental school - and check out what sort of fees they charge - they are usually way less than a private practice DDS - and you 'll have professors overseeing your work

(Caveat: poor quality dental work can be not only useless - but actually dangerous - unless all proper safety/sanitary precautions are taken)

Within the last 3 months there was a trip planned by another person for the same reasons. The search funtion here isn't locating the thread. It doesn't even locate this thread right now, so that tells us something about the search function.

I think it tells us something about the idea of having dental work done in Mexico.

Ditto on the dental school idea - here in the US.

I wouldn't assume that dentistry in Mexico, b/c it's cheaper, is inferior to American dentistry. This is oversimplifying, but the very existence of dental insurance in the US drives up prices.

If I were you, webecca, I'd get at least one more opinion from another dentist; discuss payment options with the dentist of your choice--many offer loans; then try to get personal recommendations for dentists in Mexico, avoiding tourist--and scam artist--magnets like Tijuana, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, etc.

There are large American expat communites in San Miguel de Allende and Alamos, to name just two--if you can make contact with Americans there (try Google, I know there are message boards), they may be able to help. Good luck!

E,
I live in SMdA and would not have major elective dental RX here. Mexico City has 1st world medicine, but see my earlier post.
M

Dental shools don't work. I tried that for braces (don't want to pay 4100 for them..). The local dental school only takes the neediest of people for braces. I'm open for ideas, too!!!

Dental schools do work but not nec. for elective procedures. The thing is, yu usually have to go to a series of appointments because you are working with trainees.

Do a Google search for "dental tourism." I've read several articles about getting dental work done in europe. Anyone remember the Budget Travel article on this topic? Seems like it was Hungary or Slovakia. Also, what about Canada? Since our dollar is stronger there.

Yes I read that article. The magazine is on the net now, so you might look at www.budgettravelonline.com in the archives. The article was not that long ago.

webecca,
One thing you need to realize about before you do something like going to another country is..."if" you get any type of medical work done in another country and you come home and heaven forbide you get some sort of an infection or something worse happens during recovery, your insurance will NOT cover the treatment costs because you had the work done out of the country. Just something to think about. You may be saving money now, but you will be out of pocket more if you get sick as a result of the medical treatment that was sought outside the U.S.

I know people in San Diego who go to TJ for dental work. They have gone to the same dentist there for years and are very happy.

I'm not sure that I would go myself, but I certainly wouldn't get recommendations from total strangers.

vn,
All depends on your coverage: my BCBS "indemnity" covers me world wide, but I have pay at the point of service and submit claims for reimbursement.
Not too bad as it's underwritten by the Texas Medical Association.
M

Although the best medical and dental care in Mexico can be excellent, most is not at all up to the standards of the US. If you can locate a dentist who treats large numbers of ameicans - and whose work had been reviewed by american practitioners - and get personal recommendatins from his patients you might want to consider it.

However, such a dentist will not be charging fees 1/4 what they are in the US - although they probably would be less - brecause you would be going to the top practitioners in the country.

To risk an unknown dentist with who knows what education and work/sanitary practices would be madness.

If your husband is a veteran, you might wish to contact a local VA facility. Their dental fees may be more reasonable.

I would not go to Mexico, but know loads of retirees who cross the border from the Yuma, AZ. area and go into Algodones, just a few miles. Algondones is just a little town, full of dentists, optometry shops and drug stores, couple of restaurants and curio shops, that's it! Think that area survives solely on teeth and eyeballs!