The Rio Grande Valley is home to thousands of “Winter Texans” who are mostly RVers seeking relief from colder climates. While here many of them take advantage of the huge savings available by using Mexican dentists.
If you haven’t read the previous articles and viewed the videos I suggest you take a look as I cover Mexican dental practice, education and professionalism. You may also want to read the comments section as some important clarifications are made available there.
Clicking on the highlighted titles below will take you to my previous articles and videos:RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part I
RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part II
RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part III
Taking Texas highway 1015 leads you to the border crossing over the International Bridge. If you plan on doing some serious shopping and bringing back heavy items like pottery planters then by all means take your car, just be sure you have proper Mexican insurance coverage when you cross.
If you are just going to visit the dentist, then park on the U.S. side ($2.00) and walk across. There are clean public bathrooms available on the U.S. side prior to crossing the bridge. You will need a quarter to put into the turnstile to get across and to come back. Be sure to bring a passport and ID to get back across the border into the U.S.Arturos Restaurant and Bar is a well known and respected eatery with linen and waiters in coat and tie.
Established in 1956 the prices are reasonable and the food is top notch. 
The menu includes traditional Mexican, seafood, steaks and game. 
It is located one block past the bridge on the left. If you’re driving, then by all means eat at the restaurant and they will validate your parking and you’ll be able to park for free in their guarded lot while you shop and go to the dentist.I had the opportunity to interview many dentists while here. They are friendly, professional and most take major credit cards as payment. Be sure to watch the video below for more details.
Dr. Ileana Sanchez Vega (young enough to be one of my daughters) works at the Monterrey Dental Clinic which is located in the mall immediately on the right after you cross the bridge.
In her clinic I found Winter Texan Roger Peterson from Madison, South Dakota. He and his wife have been seeing Dr. Vega for three years. Last year had all his teeth pulled and new dentures made for a cost of $800.
If you are interested in having dental implants you will want to see Dr. Manuela Guiterrez (In the green scrubs on the right).
Dr. Patricia Mendez is a general dental practitioner who works in the same office. They are located downstairs in the dental plaza immediately on your left after crossing the bridge.Dr. Fabio Durzzo is located on the second floor of the building located to the right of the first intersection after crossing the bridge.
Speaking of bridges, if you need one he can fix you up.Someone asked for the phone numbers of these dentists so I have included them in the comments section below.
There is also ample shopping available in the many shops along the main street.
Stay tuned next week as I talk about other services available in Mexico like hearing aids, glasses, pharmacies and more. Taking a bite out of the high cost of dental work - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
12 comments:
Phone Numbers:
Los Algodones, Mexico by Yuma, AZ:
Dr. Roberto Arce D.D.S.
01152 658 517 3263
Dr. Edgar Ramirez D.D.S.
Guadalajara Group (5 dentists)
01152 658 517 3405
or 928 377-4582
Dr. Veronica Gomez
01152658 517 7683
Dr. Sam Galviz D.D.S.
01152 658 517 7037
Dr. Karla Zambrano D.D.S.
from U.S.A. 1-928-377-4555
01152 658 517 7053
Dr. Ana Maria Gutierrez D.D.S.
01152 658 5177600
Ciudad Acuna, by Del Rio, Texas
Dr. Ismael Rodriguez D.D.S.
01152 877 722 6879
toll free 1 (866) 397-9703
Dr. Eduardo Mandujano D.D.S.
01152 877 772 6293
Dr. Miguel Torres
01152 877 772 4571
cell (830) 313-0925
New Progresso, Mexico by Brownsville, Texas:
Dr. Fabio Durzzo D.D.S.
cell (956) 223-0703
Dr. Manuela Gutierrer D.D.S.
& Dr. Patricia Mender D.D.S.
U.S.A. cell (956) 342 2019
01152 899 937 0748
Dr. Ileana Sanchez D.D.S.
01152 899 937 0754
Dr. Miguel Tellez D.D.S.
U.S.A. toll free (888) 279-8718
011521 899 937 0473
I am not recommending any particular dentist because of liability issues. I am simply providing the phone numbers of a few dentists I interviewed as requested. Jim Twamley
I just had a root canal done here in Ohio and it cost me $700 up front. My Federal Blue Cross/Blue Sheild Insurance Plan paid $14.00 of which the dentist is to return to me. I then had to have the tooth sealed. The last time I had a bite adjustment, it cost me $81. I could go on and on how much dental work has cost me. Eye exams, glasses, etc cost a lot too. The insurance pays little for each. We are thinking about going to Texas next year just for this reason. When on a small pension, we can't continue to pay these high costs.
We have been going to Fierro Dental Clinic in Palomas south of Columbus and Deming, NM for several years. First we paid $270 for all porcelain crowns but now they are up to $300 - made in El Paso - takes a week. For back teeth that don't show we got metal crowns for $190 - made in El Paso. Takes a week. Price includes everything. They don't make you do much paperwork and they don't require xrays or exams. Straight prices with no extra charges. There are 8 dentists in open labs all around the central reception desk. There are big screen TV movies while you wait. They have their own hotel. Website for more:
http://www.fierrodentalclinic.com/pages/f/fierrodentalclinic.com-index-nav-1.html
I am presently undergoing treatment to repair a broken 4-unit bridge. The Dental Clinic I go to is Dr Pablo Verastequi in Progresso - a few units down from the Duty Free Shop. I am a retired Dental Assistant from the Cdn Military with 26 years experience and I chose this office because it is all new with modern equipment.
Doctor Dianna is my dentist and although she is young, she is one of the most gentle, caring and professional dentists I have ever come in contact with. At my first appointment she constructed a 'gold post' on a support tooth with a root canal. This root canal was completed in this clinic last winter. The lab had the post finished for insertion in 30 minutes.
While removing the portion of my bridge that was still in contact at the back of my mouth, a huge cavity appeared. So I needed another root canal. On Monday she will make a post for that molar and take the final impression for my bridge. Every procedure is overseen by the clinic owner Dr Pablo. Both Dr Pablo and his partner Dr Renee also spelled Dr. Dianna off for a break.
The root canal on my molar was more difficult than normal due to the fact that it has had a large fillings in that tooth for over 50-years. This caused the canal to narrow over time. With patience and persistence Dr. Dianna vastly opened that partially closed canal so a post can be constructed..
I am so impressed with this clinic and the fact that 3-professionals effortlessly spelled each other off along with about 5 assistants. As an ex-DA - I can not say enough good about this experience.
In a word I strongly suggest that every RVer who wants economical quality dental work should go to Mexico. I also suggest RVers go in for a cleaning first -($25.) to assess the service they are receiving and the expertise of the staff plus the overall image of the clinic. A comprehensive cleaning from Hygienist Joanne started my treatment this winter.
FYI- Dr Pablo's crowns are $150.; Root Canals $150.; Right now they have a special of full acrylic dentures are $250. - porcelain are a bit higher. His website is www.painlssdentalwork.net
Staff speak English and they also will fill out Insurance claim papers that are accepted by our insurance.
More detail about my visit is in this week's current post of P&J's Weekly Diary - www.rvliving.net/forum
"23 years Fulltiming and STILL COUNTING"
Live Life looking through the windshield - NOT the rear-view mirror!
There are actually a lot of dentists in Nuevo Progreso who can render god dental care for reasonable fees. You only visited two or three quite close to the border. For those who might be interested in a look-see inside some of the offices, including the ones you showed outside views of, they might go to this website and click on the "Dentists" button.
http://www.shop-progreso.com
Enjoy the town and save some money. It's safe and fun!
drtee3@mac.com
I just returned from Nuevo Progreso
having had 2 root canals done by Dr. Javier Lozano, who is the past
President & current Secretary of the Tamaulipas Dental Asn. The rc's were done by an edodontist & the posts & fillings by Lozano. The rc's were done in a little over 2 hrs which is about the same amount of time used by US guys.
Because of his position with the state dental asn, he said he will intercede on my behalf to try to secure a refund from my original dentist whose botched bridge-work
caused me to lose a molar. He said this would be preferable to me pursuing litigation through the courts. Any positive assistance he might produce and without my asking is much appreciated.
Lozano contact info: (888) 279-8717. He speaks perfect English.
drjavierlozano@yahoo.com
This is not a paid endorsement, just a recommendation from a satisfied customer. I urge others to post their experiences, both good and bad, so the rest of us have something on which to base an educated decision. Thanks
I am trying to schedule a time to go to Nuevo Progresso for some major dental work. I would like to have my remaining lower teeth removed and replaced with a lower arch implant. I also need 15-20 new crowns on teeth in my upper arch. Any idea regarding prices for full arch implants? Also, a recommendation for a dentist with the skills for these problems would be very much appreciated.
Shirley
Jim, Just re-read your dental articles in RV travel newsletter and wonder if, in view of the current happenings around the border towns, do you still feel that Mexico travel and use of the border towns for medical/dental treatment is safe? What's your take on the situation currently.
Teri We live in Alamo TX just about 15 miles from Pregresso . MYwife goes over At least 2 times amonth for meds or dental cleaning or work last week for broken tooth.Have not ever had any trouble there. Darryl &lillie Davidson D&L RV PARK ALAMO TX
My wife and I use a dentist in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, right across from Nogales, Arizona. We have been going to them for years. They are much less expensive than U.S., but more important, they are the best trained and most honest dentists we have ever used. Dr. Victor Manuel Perez Nunez, DDS and his wife, Dr. Patricia Ramerez Mendoza, DDS are both graduates of the top dental school in Mexico. Go to their website www.dentaladvanced.com or call 877-579-9183 (english speaking receptionist and assistants). By the way, they are in walking distance of the border and we have never had any trouble there.
Pat & Len Steinberg
Scottsdale, AZ
My mother winters just a short distance from Progreso and they go over often. We have visited her and never had a problem there at all. I plan to go in a few weeks for some dental work and have no worries about crossing the border there.
My experience with The FIERRO DENTAL CLINIC in Las Palomas, Mexico has been VERY POOR. This leads me to advise anyone contemplating using this clinic to read below.
Summary:
They performed shoddy work. I have consulted with a top oral surgeon here. Fierro put in four implants; one came out; one is at an angle and poorly placed. This will necessitate removing the angled implant and doing a bone graft to repair it and the lost implant and then putting in two new implants. The other two implants that Fierro put in are shorter than they should be, but I cannot afford to replace them with implants of an appropriate length.
Fierro did not respond to repeated phone calls when the implants got infected.
Fierro caused me to make two totally unnecessary trips of 11 hours driving each.
Fierro personnel were extremely rude, saying that they were too busy to talk and hung up on me twice.
History:
I made an appointment at the Fierro clinic for implants and drove down and was informed that Dr. Daniel Gonzalez, who did the implants, was not there. The secretary said that they called but did not get me. However, she did not leave any message about the cancellation. I asked why they did not leave a message and she did not reply. I checked my phone and there was one unanswered call from the day before.
I made an appointment for next week.
I arrived but Dr. Gonzales did not have the proper size implants.
These two unnecessary drives cost me a full day each. Each day consisting of eleven hours driving and I had to leave at 3:30 in the morning to make the appointment at 9. I also lost two full day’s work. Cost to me (gas, depreciation for mileage) is $384.54 per trip.
On my third trip Dr. Gonzales placed four implants. I asked him about antibiotics three times and he said not use any, but to put on an antiseptic paste which I did. During this session the clinic director, Guillermo Sanchez, demanded most of the money agreed to, even though there were still four crowns to do. I also mentioned the two unnecessary drives and what they cost me. He just shrugged, and did not even apologize, let alone suggest some reimbursement.
I got an infection and called the clinic and asked that Dr. Gonzales call. During that call, someone at the clinic suggested the wrong kind of antibiotic. It did not work. I called to report on my lack of progress, and again asked that Dr. Gonzales call. If he could not call, then to have someone else who could give me proper advice. No one ever called. The secretary said that I should take clindamycin, but told me the wrong dose. When the infection persisted, I consulted my local dentist who doubled the dose of the clindamycin, which eventually cured the infection. I had to take it for over two months at a substantial cost.
No one from the Fierro clinic ever called to enquire about my problems resulting from their work.
The local dentist took radiographs and noted that one implant was missing. He referred me to an implant specialist. I consulted with this specialist to learn that I will require extensive repair.
I set up an appointment to call to speak with Dr. Daniel Gonzales, who did the implants, and the director Guillermo Sanchez, as well as to have someone there to insure there was an accurate translation. I called on time. The director of the clinic was not there. I spoke briefly to Dr. Gonzales, but he had to get off the phone and suggested that I make an appointment to see him again. I suggested that I be reimbursed some money and was told a flat NO. The women who spoke English well, twice refused to give me her name and said she was too busy to talk, but would call later; then she hung up on me. She has not called.
I am seeking legal advice about a law suit.
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