Like medical tourism in general, dental care among travelers is thriving in Mexico–and with good reason. Mexico is a premier destination for healthcare and dental care in Latin America and the nation has been attracting many Americans with its excellent-quality care and affordable prices. Because many of Mexico’s dentists receive training in the United States and many U.S. dentists obtain training in Mexico, the level of care is typically considered comparable. If you are considering obtaining dental procedures across the border, you aren’t alone. Many travelers are flocking to Mexico to receive both routine and specialty procedures.
Types of Dental Care Available in Mexico
If dental treatment is available in the U.S., there is every likelihood that it is also available in Mexico. In fact, many of the border towns like Los Algodones, Mexicali have become specifically noted for their high-quality dental procedures that are on par with what Americans can expect to find at home. Travelers come to obtain routine cleanings to implants. In fact, major work and cosmetic dental treatments are extremely popular in Mexico where such procedures are far cheaper than in the U.S. The upside is that the quality of dental care does not diminish simply because you have crossed the border.
You Can Save Thousands of Dollars on Dental Care in Mexico
Generally speaking, dental care in Mexico costs a third of what you’d expect to pay in the U.S. That’s incredibly appealing to many people who live near the border. Traveling to a border town to receive high-quality dental care is cheaper than having the work done in the U.S. In fact, many people in northern sections of the U.S. find the idea of traveling to Mexico for dental care preferable as well. Many combine their dental care with a full-blown vacation–which is still often cheaper than what you’d pay for your dental work at home. You can save as much as 70% when you consider driving to Mexico for dental work. For an individual tooth implant with a crown – save over $3,000. Same day root canal? Save $750+. If it’s dentures you’re after, you could save a whopping $1,300.
However, the real savings happen with major procedures, such as multiple implants, a dental bridge, or the removal of porcelain crowns. The money you can save on these big operations can be several thousands of dollars or more.
Paying for Dental Care in Mexico
U.S. cash works quite well for most of Mexico’s dentists, especially for those near the border who do a lot of business with Americans. Credit cards, too, are generally welcome, and some dentists may even accept a check. It’s a good idea to obtain all the information you need regarding dental care in advance. Find out about the costs of treatments you need so you know how much cash you’ll need upfront.
Choosing a Dental Care Provider and Appointments
If you need an immediate root canal, or perhaps to have your crown reattached after seeing it fall out – the stress of waiting for a dentist appointment in the US can cause a lot of unnecessary grey hairs. It’s significantly faster to book an appointment with a Mexican dentist, for a few reasons.
Primarily, Mexican dentists work substantially more hours – usually Monday through Friday, eight to six. Additionally, many work extra hours on Saturdays into the afternoon. This stands in stark contrast to the US, where dentists often work a mere three or four days a week – making appointments extremely limited. To make matters worse, many regions in the US simply have too few dentists to meet demands. This unfortunate reality is why it can take several months to get in to see someone for your urgent dental needs.
Just like in the U.S., you will want to do some research about choosing a dentist. You may have friends or a family who can recommend a great Mexican dentist. Again, some border towns are well known for their high concentrations of dentists. You should have little problem finding several that have excellent reputations. Before traveling to Mexico for dental care, be sure to set up an appointment, especially if you require an extensive procedure. On the other hand, you might be able to obtain teeth cleaning with no appointment at a wide variety of dental offices.
All the Dental Specialists Are In One Place
Most dental operations in the US are known as ‘single dentist practices’ – meaning there’s but one dentist employed in the entire office. This reality can present major challenges when you need serious dental work done.
When you need a root canal, your dentist first has to refer you to a periodontist when wisdom tooth extraction will be involved. Many rural areas in the US simply don’t have a periodontist – causing a stalemate – all the while your oral health continues to cause immense suffering. This process of bouncing between several clinics and specialists can be exhausting and frustrating.
Another common problem is the existence of ‘do-it-all’ dentists. These dentists perform work such as full-mouth crown restorations, periodontal treatments, and root canals.
In Mexico, it’s common for dentists to practice in groups. This means all the specialists are together in one big building. This enables fast service, such as a root canal specialist beginning your root canal immediately after the consultation.
Mexico Dental Work: Earned Vacation
The fusion of huge savings with driving to Mexico for dental work gave birth to the term ‘dental tourism.’ Imagine the freezing temperatures of Chicago in the chilling darkness of winter, and you are only weeks away from an all-important job interview – getting your teeth fixed is essential to making a good impression. However, your dental quote surpassed $10,000 from two different local dentists, and you simply don’t have the money.
Your options are either enduring the subzero temperatures while scheduling more consultations to (hopefully) find a better deal, or fly to Cancun. For between four and five thousand dollars, you can get your dental work done and vacation! Drive to your favorite Mexico destination, stay in a nice hotel, get a massage, make it an epic dental appointment. There are exceptional dentists in Tijuana, Hermosillo, and Monterrey. Making your dentist trip a fun destination makes it easier to recruit someone to go with you. The decision is clear -traveling to Mexico to have your cake and eat it too!
Many Americans are delighted at the quality care they receive from Mexican dentists. Because of their lower operating costs, Mexican dentists are able to charge far less than dentists in the U.S. If you are tired of paying exorbitant sums for dental care, consider checking the hot dental scene in Mexico. Don’t dread your next Dentist appointment, book a hotel and enjoy the trip!
MexInsurance.com® – providing quality Mexico Insurance online since 2003.
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