In this five part series of articles I will take you to Los Algodones, Mexico near Yuma Arizona, Acuna near Del Rio, Texas and New Progresso near Brownsville, Texas. The written articles along with the videos should provide you with enough information to make an informed decision about your future dental care.
Mrs. Professor and I acted on a recommendation to see Dr. Janira Rodarte D.D.S. in Los Algodones, Mexico.
We crossed the border with ease (making sure we had our passports for the return trip). Walking down the streets I noticed a street sweeper keeping the neighborhood tidy for the mostly Canadian and U.S. tourists. There are modern and clean public restrooms on the Mexican side of the border for your convenience.
We walk down a narrow walkway with vendors, dental shops, restaurants and pharmacies mixed together. We easily found our recommended dentist and went into the office.
The receptionist doesn’t speak English well (and I don’t speak Spanish well). 
She hands us a form to fill out and a young, well groomed Mexican boy comes in with his backpack. He picks up a package, then exits, jumping on his bicycle and is off. 
He’s one of many dental couriers carrying dental work back and forth between the labs and the dental offices; very efficient and quick.As we wait to see the dentist we watch tourists walk up and down the walkway outside the office. We are a little nervous but feel confident because we were recommended and the folks in the lobby are satisfied return customers from Canada and the U.S. Outside vendors hawk their wares while workers in medical scrubs walk by sipping on soft drinks while on lunch break.
Harold from South Dakota had three teeth extracted, four crowns, two fillings and a bridge all for $1,150.
Walt Hammer, also from South Dakota, had a partial both upper and lower done for $320. Walt says that an exam and cleaning back home costs him $150 while the same thing here is only $30.
The best way to find a dentist here is by word of mouth. Ask your fellow Canadians or Americans who are in the clinics (yes you are free to just walk into the clinics) how they feel about their experience. You’ll find many satisfied customers. You can also shop for the best price (it’s expected in Mexico).My new dentist greets me with broken English, gives me an exam and sets me up for an appointment the following day.
Mrs. Professor and I head for the restaurant next door and enjoy a fabulous Mexican lunch for around $5 a plate.
Getting back across the border is more difficult than coming into Mexico. In fact, when you come into Mexico no one stops you or asks any questions, you just walk right in. Last year crossing back to the U.S. side could take up to two hours standing in a long line. They were constructing a new processing center last year so the wait time should improve. The Mexican dental association in Los Algodones was kind enough to erect benches, a covered walkway and bathrooms to make the wait more comfortable.
There are an abundance of RV parks in the Yuma area and it’s a short drive to the border. You can park your car or RV in the Indian reservation parking lot (it was $5 per car and more for an RV last year) and walk across the border. We stayed at the Indian reservation RV park just outside the border gate and found it convenient to walk to our dental appointments.Stay tuned in the following weeks as I continue to share this experience with you. My goal in this blog is to open up new possibilities for you to explore.
Taking a bite out of expensive dental care - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
25 comments:
We tried some dental work in Los Algodones last year and where positively impressed with the quality of work and prices.
We should be back this spring for some more
The Indian parking lot is very secure and if you park an RV a bit far from the border they will drive you there and back in golf carts.
Crossing the Mexican border is a breeze they don't seem to fear migrant U.S. workers...!!!
Don't forget your passport or you may become a Mexico permanent resident!!!
François
My husband had a full set of uppers and lowers made in 2000 for $350 in Algodones. They were beautiful. He used Dr. Rosalba Salcedo H, which is immediately to your left as you enter Mexico. Many of our snowbird friends had their dental work done at that clinic, including a full set of implants that one of them had done this year. Excellent work and all U.S. schooled.
Another great dental option is Palomas - the small US/Mexico border town three miles south of Columbus, New Mexico. Camp at Pancho Villa State Park ($14/night for water, electricity and a dump station). Park on the U.S. side and walk 1 to 3 blocks to a variety of dentists. While you are there, get new eye glasses, pick up prescriptions, and have lunch at the famous Pink Store. No border crossing hassles (take appropriate documentation - ask at the State park, or on the U.S. side before crossing).
Thank you Professor for covering this topic! I've been hearing about people going to Mexico for less expensive dental work, but carried images of less than professional conditions. Your video gives me a better idea of what to expect, and I'll certainly look at planning a trip there someday for my own work.
Very good video with some useful information Jim! We're approaching fulltiming and this has been one of our concerns. I feel much better after seeing your report. Thanks again, am looking forward to the future episodes.
With all of the drug wars going on in the border cities of Mexico, tourism has fallen to an all-time low. People are getting killed every day. How irresponsible of you to suggest people go to Mexico at this time and risk their well-being just to save a few bucks on dental care!
I retired after 37 years of dental practice in Texas. I made a very good living off of people who went to Mexico to have work done and then needed it repaired or redone. In every business there is some recall work, but I saw enough to make a living on it.
PNM DDS
Great information. I wanted to get some implants done and here we are looking at probably $3000 per tooth.
Just wish someone would do the same with Pharmacy info. Just had surgery and need year of drugs the insurance company does not support. Looking at $4000 probably there.
Lots of Internet offers but how does one know you are not getting M&M's in the correct shape.
Thanks again. Will be watching the next 4 episodes.
I am a retired hygienist and my husband is a retired dentist. Here in Tucson almost every patient we saw who had work done in Mexico had to have it redone. They have no enforcement for quality as we do here in the U.S. and no agency enforcing sanitation like we have OHSA. A person who goes to Mex. to have work done has no recourse when it isn't done well. People will spend money on just about anything else, but not for the health of their mouth which affects their overall health!
I get my teeth cleaned every six months, and wanting to get my metal fillings replaced with composite material, I decided to go to Mexico to get a quote (and my teeth cleaned). The place (that was recommended by a friend that needed extensive work done)that I went to did an exam BEFORE they cleaned my teeth, which I thought was quite odd, and then proceeded to tell me that I had 10 cavities. Now, I haven't had cavities in over 35 years, and had been going to the dentist every 6 months... how in the world did I gather so many cavities in the last six months? More than I have had in my entire life??? I think there are some dental facilities that are trying to exploit business that is not needed if you don't have anything going on in your mouth. Potential patients beware!
I would absolutely NOT recommend these MX dental offices. I was recommended to one office there, and we went the office in Los Algondones several years ago and had to have it all redone in the US. We are from Phoenix, and I was told later that the work was not even as good as temporaries here in the US, and x-rays proved that bacteria was growing under these "permanent teeth". I also told my husband that I was concerned on the cleanliness as the lab guy and the dentist just kept passing the teeth that they were putting in, back and forth without gloves and working on them the same way. My breath was starting to get really bad and that is when I knew that they were rotting underneath and would have to be redone. You unfortunately "Get What You Pay For"! It may be ok for a period of time, but don't expect to last very long without having problems. Some dentists down there might be US schooled but not there assistants and others in the offices and labs. I would highly recommend that you don't use them unless you have no other choices as I have heard other horror stories since. I sure don't think that this should be recommended on a class web site such as this as people should make their own dicisions and not feel that because they see it here, all is well.
We have used the dentists in Nuevo Progreesso Mexico for several years and we are 100% happy with the work. We save enough to snowbird for several months each winter. Many of the dentists are trained in the USA & many of the supplies are purchased in the USA.
Cleanings & exams cost $20.00 - $25.00. Fillings $20.00 to $40.00.
Porcelain crowns $150.00 - $175.00.
Many friends also use Mexico dentists & have been 100% pleased with the results.
Mexican dentists do not go to dental college in the U.S. unless it is for post graduate work. A few have attended Loma Linda for advanced work but received their basic dental education in Mexico.
For you folks in the dental profession I must remind you that there have been thousands of successful malpractice suits against U.S. dentists who attended dental schools in the United States. Thousands of American patients are injured each year by U.S. dental malpractice. In fact, I experienced dental malpractice myself at the hands of a U.S. dentist.
If U.S. dentistry wasn't so expensive and unaffordable people wouldn't be flocking by the thousands to Mexico to get their dental work done.
For the person who is afraid of going to Mexico because of violence you should know that murder statistics are only slightly higher in Mexico than in the U.S. The probability is you are just as likely to get killed in the U.S. as you are in Mexico. In fact, many international travelers are afraid to come to the U.S. for this very reason. In their eyes we are just as dangerous as Mexico but they are somehow able to overcome their fears and are delighted when they discover the wonders of North America (and yes, Mexico is part of North America).
Next week I'll tell you a story about Canadian malpractice that was corrected by a Mexican dentist.
Like I pointed out in the video, you can experience malpractice in Canada, the U.S. or in Mexico. An otherwise very competent dentist can make a mistake and that's the risk you take. For the most part, these Mexican dental professionals are well trained, competent practitioners using modern methods and materials. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
My husband had dental work done in San Antonio in 2006 for a cost of $2700 and before a year was over the tooth fell apart. At the time we were in Quartzsite and a friend recommended a dentist in Los Algodones. For $600 the work was redone and a year later he still has his tooth! We have not experienced a lack of communication in Los Algodones. All the people we came in contact with spoke perfect English including the Eye Clinics and the resturants.
I had 20 teeth extracted at the los Algodones "Smile Specialist" clinic by a pretty lady dentist. All the dentists there had their dental school graduation certificates framed and hung on the walls of the reception area. I examined some of them, and the school they graduated from was in the state of Sinaloa, I don't remember the name of the college. Anyway, this dentist knew what she was doing, and did it well. The extractions cost me 40 per tooth, and an additional 100 for smoothing of the jawbone ( for the plates to sit on later ). It totaled 900, and I came back in about one month and got a full set of dentures for 300.
I had to wait in line for 1.5-2 hours to cross the border. Luckily, I had taken a pain killer before hand so it wasn't too bad.
I had a tooth extracted in a low income clinic in Albuquerque, and the dentist was under so much pressure to get as many people through there as possible, that she pulled my tooth before the novacaine had fully taken effect. I thought the mexican dentist did a much better job than the american dentist. Just my two cents. Anyway, good luck to you all !
I to go to a dentist in Progresso, Mexico. I got a crown done in the USA and it cost me $850. That winter I was headed to Texas and another of my teeth broke so when I got to Mission I asked about seeing a dentist. Everyone I talked to recommended the same dentist in Progresso. I got a crown done for $130 and the one I got in Mexico is more comfortable and I have less problem with than the one I got in the USA. That was eight years ago. I have been several more times for cleanings and we are going back next year to get implants for my husband. The Mexican dentist we say was first rate.
I live 15 miles north of Mexico in San Diego. I have been in Mexico many many times. I always went to Tijuana once a month with my church to work in an orphanage. Early this year I decided to stop for a while till the constant daily multiple murders stopped. One writer commented about Mexico being about as safe as the US. That statement is outdated and does not apply to today's "wild west" daily shoot outs. My comments are for the border towns and Mex City. I don't not think they apply to other MX cities which don't have the same crime problems.
Secondly. If you are not able to afford dental care here in the States and you are OK with the bodily danger of going to MX, then dental work there might be an option. However, my long experience with Mexico indicates that the buyer must be very careful south of the border. More so than the USA. As always, the quality of the provider is key to what sort of care you will get. I have had bad dental work done in the US. I would suspect (but don't know for sure) that dental training in MX would be shorter and less difficult to pass than US schools. That is the case with almost everything else.
I have enjoyed many of the visits I have made to Mexico. The people have treated me well and I love some of the artisan work and food. I would be willing to go to areas not near the US border, but will wait a while before visiting a border town.
Hi;
I have been a dentist doing fine restorative dentistry for more than 30 years. A few years back a patient called me to say that she had had full mouth rehabilitation (all 28 of her teeth fixed) in Mexico and now was having problems. She asked me to examine her and repair her mouth free of charge because it was my ethical responsibility to do so. I responded by asking her what possessed her to go to Mexico for treatment to which to became extremely angry that I condemned Mexican dentistry. To which I responded that we would not be having this conversation if the dentistry had been well performed...End of conversation
Regards,
Dr. B, Upstate NY
Jim, thank you for posting your experiences!
In four trips, I’ve had extractions, implants, crowns, a root canal, and a sinus boost, all in Los Algodones. I’ve never had to take any pain medication.
Los Algodones is only about three blocks by three blocks and has two police departments — the “regular” police and a special “tourist” police.
Gary G, you asked about pharmacies. My friends (or I) have had personal experience with Diovan, Detrol LA, Zocor, generic Prilosec, and generic Prevacid and all were “the real deal” (not counterfeit). Not all medications are carried in Mexico. If you email me, I think I can put you in touch with Juan, one of the pullers, who can check out prices for you. He told me once that Tury’s Pharmacy has the best prices and I’ve found that to be true.
If anyone reading this would like a copy of the 30-page journal from my first trip in October, 2006, email me at my Yahoo.com address (SuzanneFromSeattle).
-- Suzanne From Seattle
I had a molar extracted and a bridge made last spring in Algodones. After the bridge was cemented I developed pain in both molars holding the bridge in place. I went back and they drilled through the bridge to perform the root canals. I was worried that the bridge procelain would crack under biting pressure because of the drilling. However, they assured me that the bridge was guaranteed for 12 months, so if it did break, they would replace it. Sure enough, several weeks later the bridge cracked. Since it was "guaranteed" for 12 months, I returned and they made a new bridge for free. Just cost me 3 round trips to Algodones (and $800). A dentist in the US commented on my nice bridge work. Asked me where I got it done and how much it cost. He said the same bridge would have cost $3,000 if he had done it. And people wonder why we go to Mexico for dental work?? Just make sure you get references and I'm sure you'll be more than happy with the results and the cost. I have no qualms about getting my dental work done in Mexico.
Also, my husband had surgery in a private hospital, stayed overnight in a private room. Total cost including office visits with surgeon, lab work, meds, post operative visits? $3,000 (you can use Visa). We don't have insurance and that surgery would have cost $18,000 in the US.
Hi - thanks for the article. I'm heading to Mexico for dental work that I can't afford in the U.S.
As for the few dentists and hygenists who warn about rework for Mexican dental work - I've had my share of rework of American dental work, too. Actually, I've had more rework from American dentists than I care to discuss.
The only difference is that I paid more than any average working person can afford in America for that dental work. Plain and simple, it's too expensive to have dental work in America and since teeth are a declining process as we age, I don't see any point in paying for American dental services. Worse, the dentists will never work out any arrangements for payments of those expensive services, save interest accumlating credit plans.
I just paid $20,000 out of pocket with insurance for breast cancer treatment in America - just radiation and surgery - no chemo. I've been bankrupted by the American medical system now, so I'm willing to risk the usual "warnings" to get what I can't afford here and must take care of. Just like the warnings and attempted prohibition of Canadian drugs that were supposedly "bad" (although they were made by the same U.S. Drug manufacturers), I do my homework first. Particularly in a foreign country.
America has great medical care but until they make it affordable to all people, there are a lot of qualified people in other countries to see.
I went to the dentist in Progresso, Mexico (very safe border town & American friendly). Extraction $20; partial plate $500, four teeth bonded @ $40 per tooth and am happy with all the work. My mother also had a bridge made at the same dentist several years ago and hasn't had any problems.
U.S. doctors, dentists & pharmacys are just too darn expensive!!!!
While you're there, go to the Red Snapper and eat. Great food!
I'm looking for recommendations for a dentist or endodontist in Nuevo Progreso from your personal experience.
I'm still recovering from a nightmare treatment that caused the unnecessary lose of a tooth. WARNING: Stay as far away
from JEB Dental as possible! It's in the Rio Dental Bldg, first one on right after the bridge.
Please include contact info, if possible.
Thanks
Mick D I have been in contact with a Phoenix based outfit called Dayo Clinic which represents dentists in Algodones, Puerto Penasco and Nogales. They seem quite reputable but I would really appreciate some feedback from anyone that has dealt with them. Also, can anyone recommend a good dentist in PP(Rocky Point) that specializes in porcelain crowns and veneers? Thanks
I was going to go through Dayo also. When I sent the website to a supersleuth family member, she said that Dayos reccomended Doctor has listed credentials that can not be verified.
Please, folks, can you give us some names of who you saw that you are so "thrilled" with?!
We first-timers will be ever so grateful.
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