Dental

[owl]

<P>&nbsp; This is for those of you who winter in Az. Ca. Have you had dental work done in Mexico? What was your experience like, was the savings good? Thanks</P>

 

[mockturtle]

My husband had work done in Los Algodones several years ago.&nbsp; The savings were substantial but the work was not cheap.&nbsp; Most people we knew were very happy with their dentists there.&nbsp; Word of mouth [no pun intended] is probably the best screening you can get.&nbsp; And it sometimes depends on the type of work you need done.&nbsp; Some seem to specialize in certain procedures, e.g., implants.&nbsp; <br><br>I preferred my dentist in Yuma.&nbsp; <br>

 

[owl]

<P>Thanks mockturtle, I have read online that some go there especially for crowns and bridges because it is much less expensive to have them made in mexico.</P>

 

[rattlesnake joe]

<p>They are not that clean down in Mexico and I fear infection.&nbsp; </p>

 

[sl1966]

They are not that clean down in Mexico and I fear infection.

<div><br></div><div>You can find just many unclean places here in the states as you do anywhere in else in the world.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Here's another perspective on health care south of the border from a full timer who's been at this life (quite successfully) for years now.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://mobilecodgers.blogspot.com/2012/05/dental-work-in-mexico-how-expensive-how.html" target="_blank">http://mobilecodgers.blogspot.com/2012/05/dental-work-in-mexico-how-expensive-how.html</a> </div><div><br></div>

 

[twokniveskatie]

<div>Hey, Rattlesnake Joe, sounds like your experience was not a good one. Was it a clinic or a private practice? I am curious because I know so many vandwellers that go across the border for their dental work and report great experiences, and clean professional clinics. Matter of fact the first person I knew to give great reviews of their actual experiences was Bob, the founder of this website </div><div><br></div>

<p>They are not that clean down in Mexico and I fear infection.&nbsp; </p>

 

[akrvbob]

I am a huge fan of getting your dental, prescriptions and glasses in Mexico, specifically Algodones Mx. I go there every year to get whatever dental I need, a yeas worth of prescriptions and glasses if I need them. I have never been the least bit unhappy with any of them. <br><br>Here is an article I wrote on getting medical in Algodones, including specific recommendations for dentists:<br><br>http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Algodones.html<br>Bob<br>

 

[rattlesnake joe]

<p>twokniveskatie,&nbsp; My experience was with a private practice.&nbsp; I didn't check out the clinics.&nbsp; Wish I had because I went to a dentist just across the US border and he broke my front tooth while fixing&nbsp;my molar.&nbsp; Then he wanted me to make an appointment to fix my front tooth [that he broke].&nbsp;&nbsp;I spurted a few insults through my missing front tooth until he promptly fixed it.&nbsp; I have many horror stories I can tell about my teeth but they would bore you I think.&nbsp; </p>

 

[rattlesnake joe]

<p>I've been told that US Citizens now need a passport to get into or out of Mexico.&nbsp; I hope nothing happens to my fangs now, I'm too poor to go&nbsp;to a dentist in my own country.&nbsp; Will people laugh at me if I try and whistle Yankee Doodle through my broken front fangs?&nbsp; </p>

 

[Trout]

<p>We were issued the new state drivers license with the star on them.&nbsp; It is supposed to be a federal one which will get you across the northern or southern boarders.&nbsp; </p>

 

[LaughingWolf]

Does one have to live in a border state to get these special starred licenses? I have at the very least 4 more border crossings to make in my travels, into Canada... Sure would be handy. Although I do have my passport so it isn't a big deal...<br>

 

[cedric]

Bob: I read your article on Mexico dental and scripts which I really loved and appreciated.<br />Do you have to make appointments in advance? Or do you just walk in with cash and they start drilling?<br /><br />I am curious if you know if there are any safe decent places to spend the night in Algodones or is it better to just wait in the lines and get out of town the same day?<br /><br />thanks<br />ced

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; Cedric, I'm going to Algodones in the morning for a cleaning, exam and to have a bridge fixed or replaced. I got referrals from folks here in Q and a real good one from someone where I camp who<br />just got back a couple of weeks ago. I called last week and made an appointment. If you ride a bike across you don't have to wait in the lines. You just ride by the cars in line and they check your pass<br />port and send you on your way. I'll post a full report on the experience when I get back.

 

[cedric]

owl, very cool. thanks ced

 

[wandering mike]

Cedric: &nbsp;I have been to Algodones and Progreso in Texas. &nbsp;I also visited a dentist deep in Mexico. &nbsp;I had crowns in Texas and a partial denture and a couple&nbsp;cavities&nbsp;filled in Algodones. &nbsp;I am enroute there now to get some implants done. &nbsp;Obviously I am pleased. &nbsp;The&nbsp;cleanliness&nbsp;and quality of equipment is top notch. &nbsp;Digital x-rays and mouth cameras on a monitor in front of you. &nbsp;The dentists have been very gentle too. &nbsp;They all do a bunch of continuing education in the US. &nbsp;Many have US phone numbers to call. &nbsp;You can expect English to be spoken. &nbsp;In Texas they took credit cards. &nbsp;The dentists frequently belong to the American Dental Association and do continuing education in the US. &nbsp;Often they live in the US.<br /><br />You can get recommendations from many folks. &nbsp;In Algodones last time I used <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="http://www.losalgodones.com/dra_urena/"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Dra Urena</span></a></span>. &nbsp;I would use her again this time, but there is another dentist that comes highly recommended for implants. &nbsp;Some advertise in the Yuma paper. &nbsp;It is very safe. &nbsp;You need a passport to get back into the US. &nbsp;There is a campground that I have stayed at that is walking distance to the border. &nbsp;I think it is $25 a night. &nbsp;There is also desert short term (no fee) BLM land and long term land within 5 or 6 miles and also a Casino that you will pass on the way that gets something like $5 bucks a night for dry camping. &nbsp;I took my bicycle across one time. &nbsp;I would stay on the US side, but I suspect there are hotels and such.<br /><br />I have a post on my blog <span style="color: #0000ff;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://abueloloco.blogspot.com/2010/12/pleasant-couple-of-hours-in-algodones.html"><span style="color: #ff6600;">here</span></a>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">about the dentist. &nbsp;The prior post talks a smidgen about the campground. &nbsp;You can go across and get some free quotes on the work too. &nbsp;You will be warmly "greeted" by folks trying to get you to go to whatever dentist they are being paid to try and get traffic for. &nbsp;It is safe. &nbsp;The cops don't even wear side arms as I recall. &nbsp;Of course don't bring a gun or ammo as it is very illegal to be walking around with such stuff. &nbsp;They might put you in jail for just thinking about bringing a gun across for all I know. &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" />&nbsp; &nbsp;But you will feel very safe. &nbsp;Watch out for the folks dribbling across on their walkers after getting various medication and viagra and booze. &nbsp; Coming back in the afternoon you might have a pretty long line to come through US customs.<br /><br />Here is a pic of a spot a few blocks in that was taken about this very time in 2010.<br /><br />More pics <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nvu10aezwfd95ko/Fv1cedRxrR"><span style="color: #0000ff;">here</span></a></span><br /><img rel="lightbox" src="https://photos-2.dropbox.com/t/0/AA...c-776EoEOBK-dsmNyZfP4AxsYb8Fd54?size=1024x768" class="bbc_img" /><br /><br /><br /></span></span>

 

[cedric]

Thanks Mike. Would you be able to share what a implant costs?

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; I'll know better tommorow, my understanding is it ranges from $700 to $1000.

 

[wandering mike]

Cedric: &nbsp;Owl's comment is my understanding too. &nbsp;To date, everything has been about a third of the US price. &nbsp;A root canal, post and crown was $450 in Texas. &nbsp;A high quality partial was also $450 in Algodones.<br /><br />Owl: &nbsp;I will be interested in your experience too. &nbsp;I have been going to primarily investigate using the <span style="color: #ff0000;"><a href="http://www.dentalrubio.com/"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Rubio Dental Clinic</span></a></span>. &nbsp;Who are you looking at?

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" /> I love the picture of the gang of older peeps making a run for the border&nbsp;&nbsp; And the Dental Clinic/Liquor Store <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" />

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; Who said anything about a liquor store. As for your age remarks, you might find it difficult to keep up with some of us older " peeps "