Just got back from La Dentista in Mexico... full report (1 Viewer)

[Arizona Ron]

Getting an X-Ray at a Mexican dentist is the scariest to me.

I'm guessing the regulations on radiation, calibration etc., are well, none existed.

 

[Dentist]

Can't wait to get the official FBG dentist's input on this

I'm going to go ahead and stay out of this thread - i read it so far. But this is probably going to be the only post I make in here. I already delivered my statement on it, the OP knows it, and he's moved on. That's perfectly fine.

The thing about this thread is that as he has already stated.. we won't really know some of the outcomes for a few years anyway.

I know that dentistry is expensive. I'm already in one of the lowest cost areas of the country for dentistry in Missouri so I know what some of you face in larger metropolitan areas.

The fees he is getting from these Mexican places are clearly less than I charge, less than half in most of the cases.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

I've seen some cheap poorly done dentistry actually work for people for much longer than it would seem possible.. and I've seen plenty more that simply leaves me scratching my head as to what the heck these people were doing.

I recognize that I'm biased on my opinion due to what I do. I also recognize that medical tourism is becoming more popular as medical costs rise in this country

Again, I'm biased but there are many things you can skimp and save on in your life, and medical/dental care just isn't one of the places I'd choose to save money on. I'd rather have crappier clothes, drive a worse car, eat out less, or give up some other luxury than get medical care done in a 3rd world country.

I am pretty sure how this thread will go. The OP will probably choose their provider and probably be very pleased with the outcome relative to the cost at the time the service is done.

Even good dental care sometimes has results that break down quicker than I would like them to. I certainly have to do more warranty work than I would like to sometimes...

But we won't know for a few years down the road whether the OP made a good decision or not.

The descriptions of the exam appointments already have me cringing all over the place.

I sincerely hope this thread doesn't inspire a wave of FBG's to do try this.

 

[Arizona Ron]

Getting an X-Ray at a Mexican dentist is the scariest to me.

I'm guessing the regulations on radiation, calibration etc., are well, none existed.

Let alone 3 X-Rays at three different dentists in Mexico.

 

[NCCommish]

Can't wait to get the official FBG dentist's input on this

I'm going to go ahead and stay out of this thread - i read it so far. But this is probably going to be the only post I make in here. I already delivered my statement on it, the OP knows it, and he's moved on. That's perfectly fine.

The thing about this thread is that as he has already stated.. we won't really know some of the outcomes for a few years anyway.

I know that dentistry is expensive. I'm already in one of the lowest cost areas of the country for dentistry in Missouri so I know what some of you face in larger metropolitan areas.

The fees he is getting from these Mexican places are clearly less than I charge, less than half in most of the cases.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

I've seen some cheap poorly done dentistry actually work for people for much longer than it would seem possible.. and I've seen plenty more that simply leaves me scratching my head as to what the heck these people were doing.

I recognize that I'm biased on my opinion due to what I do. I also recognize that medical tourism is becoming more popular as medical costs rise in this country

Again, I'm biased but there are many things you can skimp and save on in your life, and medical/dental care just isn't one of the places I'd choose to save money on. I'd rather have crappier clothes, drive a worse car, eat out less, or give up some other luxury than get medical care done in a 3rd world country.

I am pretty sure how this thread will go. The OP will probably choose their provider and probably be very pleased with the outcome relative to the cost at the time the service is done.

Even good dental care sometimes has results that break down quicker than I would like them to. I certainly have to do more warranty work than I would like to sometimes...

But we won't know for a few years down the road whether the OP made a good decision or not.

The descriptions of the exam appointments already have me cringing all over the place.

I sincerely hope this thread doesn't inspire a wave of FBG's to do try this.

Then it needs to get less expensive to see the dentist than it is to have a heart attack. Dentistry costs are ridiculously high and dental insurance is pretty crappy for the most part. Or if it isn't it's practically unaffordable. Medical tourism is going to continue to grow. With earning power stagnate to declining for all but a few and dental prices spiraling out of control it's simple economics.

 

[E Street Brat]

I know that dentistry is expensive.

I blame online poker and cocaine for the high costs of dentistry.

 

[glock]

Getting an X-Ray at a Mexican dentist is the scariest to me.

I'm guessing the regulations on radiation, calibration etc., are well, none existed.

Let alone 3 X-Rays at three different dentists in Mexico.

 

[lombardi]

I actually agree with everything Dentist said. We have made choices in our lives, one of the big ones was choosing a job that allowed me to spend a ton more time with my family as opposed to making quite a bit more money and a big benefits package. We also chose to have my wife stay home with our children instead of working. It's not easy raising a family in a double income world with just a single income. However, these were lifestyle choices that we made with eyes wide open and I don't regret them. However, not all of the consequences of our life choices are positive. Looking at our finances, my current earnings, and the age of our children we just don't have the money to pour into our teeth if we're going to adequately provide education for our kids. What parent would choose most anything over their children's future? We're actually choosing the next place we live based on our kids future and education, it's very important to us. It's a sucky choice but one I feel I'm forced to make.

I completely understand Dentists concern though and he is right, unless something goes really wrong I'm probably going to be thrilled with my results. I'll walk out of Mexico feeling great and like I got a great deal. However, I really don't know and wont know for a long time whether the work I got is going to endure or not. It may last for a long time and all is well but it may also degrade and cost me a lot more money, or worse, affect my future health. These are very real possibilities and of much concern to me.

The problem with choosing a good dentist is exactly this. When you read reviews you are reading about people who have just visited their dentist. You don't hear reviews 5 years later when it falls apart. I've tried to identify a few referrals who posted messages years ago and contacted them, I got two positive responses but couldn't contact others. So longevity in the business was a big qualifier for me. We'll see.

The other difficulty and Dentist alluded to this, is the bias of American dentists. It is near impossible to get anything from American dentists other than "Don't go to Mexico, don't be stupid.". I don't mean this in a judgmental way but that just seems to be the fact and I completely understand that. I am a programmer and my job is often outsourced. Most of the time it's done quicker and cheaper and much of the time it's done with much lower quality. Not all of the time, but much of the time. I feel like I offer a service that is superior to the lowest bidder on eLance and I can get indignant about it if you disagree. So I don't blame dentists for feeling that way and I certainly don't expect them to start giving information that encourages people to outsource their jobs. I'm certainly not going to help you hire yourself an Indian that does my job at half the price.

This does make it more difficult for us that choose this route though., Dentist said he cringes when he reads the exam experiences I posted. I would LOVE to hear what he has to say about them and his professional opinion (after STOP! DON'T!) on which one sounded least horrible. Accepting that I am going I would love to know what warning signs a professional could offer for me to look for, what questions to ask, what things in my post raised the most warning signs or sounded most likely to be the right course. However, it's just about impossible to get a dentists opinion on any of these things because they already feel your course of action is most likely the worst case before you begin. Plus it's bad business and I'm guessing, in their opinion, irresponsible to encourage it in any way by being a part of it. I understand all of this and can easily apply it to my own job and how I would feel helping someone find the right coder to replace me, especially if I thought it was also a bad decision that was going to harm their business.

 

[Arizona Ron]

This does make it more difficult for us that choose this route though., Dentist said he cringes when he reads the exam experiences I posted. I would LOVE to hear what he has to say about them and his professional opinion (after STOP! DON'T!) on which one sounded least horrible.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

The industry there is unregulated. What more do you need to know?

"Least horrible"? Really dude?

 

[Arizona Ron]

I still can't get over the X-Ray thing. Any doctor (I think) will tell you getting three X-Rays is not good unless you really need it. Radiation should only be introduced to your body when it's needed.

You got them because you were price shopping - doesn't sound smart .

You got them in Mexico - stupid.

 

[lombardi]

I thought about the xrays. I'm not worried about the mexico thing. All three places had normal dental equipment. The one was older with plates, the other two had digital. The place I got them done with digital had the hand gun and got quite a few taken. The other place I did not get any xrays done yet, I would if I chose to use them. So a whole set in one place then 4 more shots in the other office.

I would only be getting more if I decided to go with Dentist #3.

As far as xrays go, how much is too much? The guys in the office didn't seem to concerned about their exposure at Dentist #1. No shields or anything.

 

[glock]

This does make it more difficult for us that choose this route though., Dentist said he cringes when he reads the exam experiences I posted. I would LOVE to hear what he has to say about them and his professional opinion (after STOP! DON'T!) on which one sounded least horrible.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

The industry there is unregulated. What more do you need to know?

"Least horrible"? Really dude?

It's only his mouth.

 

[glock]

I thought about the xrays. I'm not worried about the mexico thing. All three places had normal dental equipment. The one was older with plates, the other two had digital. The place I got them done with digital had the hand gun and got quite a few taken. The other place I did not get any xrays done yet, I would if I chose to use them. So a whole set in one place then 4 more shots in the other office.

I would only be getting more if I decided to go with Dentist #3.

As far as xrays go, how much is too much? The guys in the office didn't seem to concerned about their exposure at Dentist #1. No shields or anything.

Something to do with all that non-regulated business...

 

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Is Tramadol over the counter down there?

Not sure what Tramadol is but I can ask when I'm in the pharmacy, or will that get me arrested

you can ask for a PCP-tini with a garnish of propofol in mexico. It's cool. And if they need a script, there's a Dr. outside on the corner who can write you one.

 

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

At least get your kids teeth cleaned so,they don't have to go through this

Although we've neglected our own care we've taken care of our kids. They started young and go to all their dental appoints. We just went when we were home a few months ago. The're not going to go through what we're going through.

"We"? You seem to be neglecting the wife in all these scenarios. Is she just keeping her messed up grill until you collect enough cans for her to go to a Mexican dental school or is she getting evaluated too?

 

[Dentist]

Then it needs to get less expensive to see the dentist than it is to have a heart attack. Dentistry costs are ridiculously high and dental insurance is pretty crappy for the most part. Or if it isn't it's practically unaffordable. Medical tourism is going to continue to grow. With earning power stagnate to declining for all but a few and dental prices spiraling out of control it's simple economics.

I'm not sure what you mean by your first statement. The vast majority of people I see in my office just get their 2 cleanings a year and maybe a filling or a crown. Even if you were 100% cash on the 2 cleanings and let's say you break a tooth and need a crown.. you're maybe out $1300-1600 bucks (depending on your area)... this isn't "heart attack" high. The only "heart attack high" stuff is when people choose complex restorative options that are generally completely optional.

Dental insurance is crappy.... because it is difficult to put together actuarial tables in dentistry like they do for medicine to determine premium costs. They don't pre-scan you for pre-existing conditions.....

Also individual teeth are still considered somewhat optional. Your choice to save a tooth with the expensive choice of root canal and crown vs. inexpensive removal. You choose whether to have an expensive bridge or implant as a replacement for your tooth or to go without a replacement or with a removable option.

And furthermore people cause 80% of their own problems. Avoiding major dental care doesn't have to be hard.. Brush/floss/don't smoke/don't eat too much sugar/don't bite your nails/don't grind your teeth/control your acid reflux/get your teeth cleaned on a regular basis.

You say earnings have stagnated, all I see is people driving nicer cars than me, paying for expensive phone/data plans that they survived without just fine 10 years ago, and having elite home/cable internet packages.. People pay $250 a month for their data cell phones, home internet and cable internet... if they rocked an inexpensive home phone and used over-the air TV and didn't get all their expensive tattoos they would have plenty of money for dentistry.

I'm not worried being in Missouri.

If I worked in texas or florida or california or something, I might worry. But all I see is people who barely have enough time to come to a local nearby dentist... it would cost them so much to take the time off work, travel to the area (and somehow afford that)... and then take the risks to get the stuff done... that it's just not going to make sense... especially when my costs are some of the lowest in the nation already.

 

[lombardi]

I thought about the xrays. I'm not worried about the mexico thing. All three places had normal dental equipment. The one was older with plates, the other two had digital. The place I got them done with digital had the hand gun and got quite a few taken. The other place I did not get any xrays done yet, I would if I chose to use them. So a whole set in one place then 4 more shots in the other office.

I would only be getting more if I decided to go with Dentist #3.

As far as xrays go, how much is too much? The guys in the office didn't seem to concerned about their exposure at Dentist #1. No shields or anything.

Something to do with all that non-regulated business...

Well, nobody wants to die. I'm just saying if you

Is Tramadol over the counter down there?

Not sure what Tramadol is but I can ask when I'm in the pharmacy, or will that get me arrested

you can ask for a PCP-tini with a garnish of propofol in mexico. It's cool. And if they need a script, there's a Dr. outside on the corner who can write you one.

I don't know about that but I do keep getting offers for massages and "Senoritas". Apparently when I was there Tuesday the guy told me it was 2 for 1 day :X

 

[Dentist]

I still can't get over the X-Ray thing. Any doctor (I think) will tell you getting three X-Rays is not good unless you really need it. Radiation should only be introduced to your body when it's needed.

You got them because you were price shopping - doesn't sound smart .

You got them in Mexico - stupid.

Dental x-rays are pretty low radiation compared to many medical x-rays, especially the digital variety. Of all the things in this story, this is one of my least concerns.

Having said that, I do agree that 3 sets in a short period of time is beginning to push it.

 

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Due to the high cost of some dental procedures in the USA, it is very common for middle and upper class people in Miami to go back to their home countries in South America for dental work, while visiting family. In the big cities - Lima, Bogota, Caracas- and even many smaller cities, there are high quality dentists. Of course, most of these are referrals from family and friends. I know of one person who used the internet to select a dentist. She went to the Domincan Republic and had a nice vacation while getting some dental work done. She was satisfied.

It's pretty common and getting even more so.

Down here Los Algodones is filled with retirees, all the snowbirds who spend their winters in Yuma and Quartzite.

You wouldn't believe the daily geriatric migration I saw yesterday and today.

I've seen a few "dateline" type specials on the new trend in "medical tourism" , or going to India or Thailand to get a resort styled medical surgery done at 1/4 the price. It's often free and paid for by employers based on overall savings. Now most of these places looked more lavish than american hospitals, not like what was described above (except for in dentist 3)

 

[lombardi]

At least get your kids teeth cleaned so,they don't have to go through this

Although we've neglected our own care we've taken care of our kids. They started young and go to all their dental appoints. We just went when we were home a few months ago. The're not going to go through what we're going through.

"We"? You seem to be neglecting the wife in all these scenarios. Is she just keeping her messed up grill until you collect enough cans for her to go to a Mexican dental school or is she getting evaluated too?

Actually I'm the guinea pig. If all goes well she goes after me.

 

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Hey bro...my gut says to go to #3 to get that cleaning, either tomorrow or the next day and get that full evaluation.

Then go back to #1 and see if anything has changed, if further cleaning is necessary, etc...

i like that #3 admits that they can't really give a full evaluation without fully cleaning. But #1 sounds like they really got in there and have a battle plan with the players all in house...but who knows...they may get in there after the cleaning and find even more necessary and end up adjusting on the fly.

Have you told dentist 1 about your shopping around?. Give em a chance to cut you a deal and compete with the other. They might even knock a bit off to get the whole of your business. In the story above, the only one of these places you told that you made multiple appts etc gave you the best price too. Maybe dentist 1 will knock some of the American tax (as I imagine you aren't getting quoted the same prices as the locals)? And maybe Dentist 3 does the same to then keep your business. Certainly wouldn't hurt to try with thousands of dollars hanging in the balance.

 

[lombardi]

Due to the high cost of some dental procedures in the USA, it is very common for middle and upper class people in Miami to go back to their home countries in South America for dental work, while visiting family. In the big cities - Lima, Bogota, Caracas- and even many smaller cities, there are high quality dentists. Of course, most of these are referrals from family and friends. I know of one person who used the internet to select a dentist. She went to the Domincan Republic and had a nice vacation while getting some dental work done. She was satisfied.

It's pretty common and getting even more so.

Down here Los Algodones is filled with retirees, all the snowbirds who spend their winters in Yuma and Quartzite.

You wouldn't believe the daily geriatric migration I saw yesterday and today.

I've seen a few "dateline" type specials on the new trend in "medical tourism" , or going to India or Thailand to get a resort styled medical surgery done at 1/4 the price. It's often free and paid for by employers based on overall savings. Now most of these places looked more lavish than american hospitals, not like what was described above (except for in dentist 3)

I've watched just about all of the documentaries, exposes, and news stories you can find on the internet. News stories are manipulative. Every positive story shows the best possible clinic in the town. There is one guy down there with state of the art equipment, a beautiful spread, looks fantastic. They show offices like that to show how great it is. Then when they tell horror stories it's often proceeded by someone following one of the street hawkers into some back ally office (and there are plenty) or it's a story from TJ or Juarez. The truth is somewhere in the middle. Except for the one dentist, #3, you never forget you are in Mexico. Some of these offices I wouldn't walk into if it was free. Others I feel very safe, it seems very clean and sterile, but it's still Mexico. Smaller spaces, Mexican construction, etc..

 

[lombardi]

Dentist is right about dental costs. I don't blame "the system" or dentists for my plight. I have neglected my teeth for 40 years and now repair and restoration are going to cost a ton of money. If a guy weighs 400 pounds and starts complaining about the costs of his dialysis he isn't going to garner much sympathy.

If I went to the dentist regularly and took better care of my teeth I could afford bi-annual cleanings and the occasional filling, even a root canal/crown a couple to few times in my life. My problems are through neglect and that's why I'm in this position. Not because dentists charge too much money.

 

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

I understand all of the fear and concern people have about going to the dentist in Mexico and I know there are risks associated with it. However, I think our superiority complex is a little overblown. The problem in Mexico is that it is rife with corruption and there is no governing body or legislative protection if things go wrong. Basically if you pick the wrong guy or have a bad experience you have no recourse and there isn't any consumer protection.

However, that doesn't mean that there aren't dentists who do a great job. Not everyone who lives in Mexico is a chiclet pushing peasant living in a tin roofed shack. There are professionals there, there is culture, there is even some money. I think in the U.S. we have this impression that everyone who lives in Mexico is the same person we see begging on the corner of Tijuana and it's just not true. There are ton of very successful, professional, moral, and wonderful people, just like in most other places in the world. There is an American arrogance we have that anything done or made outside of our country is automatically inferior.

Don't get me wrong, if I had the money I would go to an American dentist. That money would buy me consumer protection, accountability, and a higher likelihood of quality medical care, especially if anything did go wrong. However, that doesn't mean that Mexico is completely devoid of quality care. Millions of Mexicans go to their dentists and doctors in Mexico every day.

If anything Mexico is more like the libertarian utopia so many people beg for in this country. No regulation, no pesky government oversight. The market decides. Those that do a good job get rewarded with good referrals, long lasting businesses, and the ability to charge slightly higher prices and maintain a client base. Those that do a poor job are driven out of business by the quality of their product. I thinks that's kind of crazy, there needs to be a bunch of bad experiences by people before those poorly run businesses are run out of town but that sure sounds a lot like what I hear libertarians and many conservatives (like myself) espousing when they get all free-market frothy.

I'm not saying it's better in Mexico, as a rule the system is not. I'm just saying there are services that are great in Mexico but it's more difficult to identify them there and you don't have the consumer protections that you have here, which is reflected in the prices you pay and the risk you are taking.

very

 

[lombardi]

Hey bro...my gut says to go to #3 to get that cleaning, either tomorrow or the next day and get that full evaluation.

Then go back to #1 and see if anything has changed, if further cleaning is necessary, etc...

i like that #3 admits that they can't really give a full evaluation without fully cleaning. But #1 sounds like they really got in there and have a battle plan with the players all in house...but who knows...they may get in there after the cleaning and find even more necessary and end up adjusting on the fly.

Have you told dentist 1 about your shopping around?. Give em a chance to cut you a deal and compete with the other. They might even knock a bit off to get the whole of your business. In the story above, the only one of these places you told that you made multiple appts etc gave you the best price too. Maybe dentist 1 will knock some of the American tax (as I imagine you aren't getting quoted the same prices as the locals)? And maybe Dentist 3 does the same to then keep your business. Certainly wouldn't hurt to try with thousands of dollars hanging in the balance.

I've thought about this. I don't want to try to bottom dollar bargain and end up getting the lowest cost materials they can scrape off the lab floor. I will probalby mention to Dentist #1 that I saw another dentist and it was a bit cheaper and see if he can take a small bit off the top. Everyone says the prices are negotiable, like most everything else down there. I just don't want to push it too much.

 

[NCCommish]

Then it needs to get less expensive to see the dentist than it is to have a heart attack. Dentistry costs are ridiculously high and dental insurance is pretty crappy for the most part. Or if it isn't it's practically unaffordable. Medical tourism is going to continue to grow. With earning power stagnate to declining for all but a few and dental prices spiraling out of control it's simple economics.

I'm not sure what you mean by your first statement. The vast majority of people I see in my office just get their 2 cleanings a year and maybe a filling or a crown. Even if you were 100% cash on the 2 cleanings and let's say you break a tooth and need a crown.. you're maybe out $1300-1600 bucks (depending on your area)... this isn't "heart attack" high. The only "heart attack high" stuff is when people choose complex restorative options that are generally completely optional.

Dental insurance is crappy.... because it is difficult to put together actuarial tables in dentistry like they do for medicine to determine premium costs. They don't pre-scan you for pre-existing conditions.....

Also individual teeth are still considered somewhat optional. Your choice to save a tooth with the expensive choice of root canal and crown vs. inexpensive removal. You choose whether to have an expensive bridge or implant as a replacement for your tooth or to go without a replacement or with a removable option.

And furthermore people cause 80% of their own problems. Avoiding major dental care doesn't have to be hard.. Brush/floss/don't smoke/don't eat too much sugar/don't bite your nails/don't grind your teeth/control your acid reflux/get your teeth cleaned on a regular basis.

You say earnings have stagnated, all I see is people driving nicer cars than me, paying for expensive phone/data plans that they survived without just fine 10 years ago, and having elite home/cable internet packages.. People pay $250 a month for their data cell phones, home internet and cable internet... if they rocked an inexpensive home phone and used over-the air TV and didn't get all their expensive tattoos they would have plenty of money for dentistry.

I'm not worried being in Missouri.

If I worked in texas or florida or california or something, I might worry. But all I see is people who barely have enough time to come to a local nearby dentist... it would cost them so much to take the time off work, travel to the area (and somehow afford that)... and then take the risks to get the stuff done... that it's just not going to make sense... especially when my costs are some of the lowest in the nation already.

I am talking about huge bills for dental work. I am not talking about cleanings. And you keep pushing this big risk. If you do your due diligence there really isn't that much more risk there than here. You know what they call the stupidest graduate of medical school? Doctor. You can definitely get messed up right here in the good ol USA.

 

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Getting an X-Ray at a Mexican dentist is the scariest to me.

I'm guessing the regulations on radiation, calibration etc., are well, none existed.

Let alone 3 X-Rays at three different dentists in Mexico.

ahh, the rare replying to your own post move.

 

[Fennis]

Getting an X-Ray at a Mexican dentist is the scariest to me.

I'm guessing the regulations on radiation, calibration etc., are well, none existed.

Let alone 3 X-Rays at three different dentists in Mexico.

ahh, the rare replying to your own post move.

its not that rare

 

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

This does make it more difficult for us that choose this route though., Dentist said he cringes when he reads the exam experiences I posted. I would LOVE to hear what he has to say about them and his professional opinion (after STOP! DON'T!) on which one sounded least horrible.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

The industry there is unregulated. What more do you need to know?

"Least horrible"? Really dude?

You could just toss him a few racks no? Or does he have to be hot and asian?

 

[Fennis]

Getting an X-Ray at a Mexican dentist is the scariest to me.

I'm guessing the regulations on radiation, calibration etc., are well, none existed.

Let alone 3 X-Rays at three different dentists in Mexico.

ahh, the rare replying to your own post move.

its not that rare

I do it all the time

 

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Getting an X-Ray at a Mexican dentist is the scariest to me.

I'm guessing the regulations on radiation, calibration etc., are well, none existed.

Let alone 3 X-Rays at three different dentists in Mexico.

ahh, the rare replying to your own post move.

its not that rare

I do it all the time

That's pretty dembo.

 

[Arizona Ron]

This does make it more difficult for us that choose this route though., Dentist said he cringes when he reads the exam experiences I posted. I would LOVE to hear what he has to say about them and his professional opinion (after STOP! DON'T!) on which one sounded least horrible.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

The industry there is unregulated. What more do you need to know?

"Least horrible"? Really dude?

You could just toss him a few racks no? Or does he have to be hot and asian?

He'll be begging me for a few racks to get a new kidney after he gets his stolen in Mexico.

 

[Arizona Ron]

I still can't get over the X-Ray thing. Any doctor (I think) will tell you getting three X-Rays is not good unless you really need it. Radiation should only be introduced to your body when it's needed.

You got them because you were price shopping - doesn't sound smart .

You got them in Mexico - stupid.

Dental x-rays are pretty low radiation compared to many medical x-rays, especially the digital variety. Of all the things in this story, this is one of my least concerns.

Having said that, I do agree that 3 sets in a short period of time is beginning to push it.

Dentist

What do you have to go through to use an X-Ray machine at your office? I'm assuming the machines are calibrated and regulated by some standard. Also I'm sure there is some level of training and certification to use the machine.

Why would I believe the ones in Mexico are the same?

- AZ

 

[Arizona Ron]

Getting an X-Ray at a Mexican dentist is the scariest to me.

I'm guessing the regulations on radiation, calibration etc., are well, none existed.

Let alone 3 X-Rays at three different dentists in Mexico.

ahh, the rare replying to your own post move.

I was actually trying to edit the post and hit quote. I just said the hell with it an left it. The point was made.

 

[lombardi]

This does make it more difficult for us that choose this route though., Dentist said he cringes when he reads the exam experiences I posted. I would LOVE to hear what he has to say about them and his professional opinion (after STOP! DON'T!) on which one sounded least horrible.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

The industry there is unregulated. What more do you need to know?

"Least horrible"? Really dude?

You could just toss him a few racks no? Or does he have to be hot and asian?

He'll be begging me for a few racks to get a new kidney after he gets his stolen in Mexico.

I did wake up this morning and noticed some stitches in my side and my pee is kind of brownish/black. Actually I don't remember how I got home. Do you think that's a bad sign?

 

[Arizona Ron]

This does make it more difficult for us that choose this route though., Dentist said he cringes when he reads the exam experiences I posted. I would LOVE to hear what he has to say about them and his professional opinion (after STOP! DON'T!) on which one sounded least horrible.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

The industry there is unregulated. What more do you need to know?

"Least horrible"? Really dude?

You could just toss him a few racks no? Or does he have to be hot and asian?

He'll be begging me for a few racks to get a new kidney after he gets his stolen in Mexico.

I did wake up this morning and noticed some stitches in my side and my pee is kind of brownish/black. Actually I don't remember how I got home. Do you think that's a bad sign?

Just pour some tequila on it, you'll be fine.

 

[lombardi]

This does make it more difficult for us that choose this route though., Dentist said he cringes when he reads the exam experiences I posted. I would LOVE to hear what he has to say about them and his professional opinion (after STOP! DON'T!) on which one sounded least horrible.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

The industry there is unregulated. What more do you need to know?

"Least horrible"? Really dude?

You could just toss him a few racks no? Or does he have to be hot and asian?

He'll be begging me for a few racks to get a new kidney after he gets his stolen in Mexico.

I did wake up this morning and noticed some stitches in my side and my pee is kind of brownish/black. Actually I don't remember how I got home. Do you think that's a bad sign?

Just pour some tequila on it, you'll be fine.

That's a good idea, I'll bet the worm will work kind of like leeches.

 

[Somebody]

Looking at our finances, my current earnings, and the age of our children we just don't have the money to pour into our teeth if we're going to adequately provide education for our kids. What parent would choose most anything over their children's future? We're actually choosing the next place we live based on our kids future and education, it's very important to us. It's a sucky choice but one I feel I'm forced to make.

Why is this the tradeoff? There is nothing else you can cut back on or eliminate from your budget in order to afford better health care? Eat out less often, have a less expensive and/or more economical car, etc...

 

[Dentist]

I still can't get over the X-Ray thing. Any doctor (I think) will tell you getting three X-Rays is not good unless you really need it. Radiation should only be introduced to your body when it's needed.

You got them because you were price shopping - doesn't sound smart .

You got them in Mexico - stupid.

Dental x-rays are pretty low radiation compared to many medical x-rays, especially the digital variety. Of all the things in this story, this is one of my least concerns.

Having said that, I do agree that 3 sets in a short period of time is beginning to push it.

Dentist

What do you have to go through to use an X-Ray machine at your office? I'm assuming the machines are calibrated and regulated by some standard. Also I'm sure there is some level of training and certification to use the machine.

Why would I believe the ones in Mexico are the same?

- AZ

absolutely have to calibrate, register the devices, and have them checked. Definitely training and certification.

You have no reason to believe they are the same.

I got your point. But the radiation for dental x-rays is so low that even if they were blasting him with 3X the radiation which is unlikely, that the damage received would be very low.

 

[Arizona Ron]

I still can't get over the X-Ray thing. Any doctor (I think) will tell you getting three X-Rays is not good unless you really need it. Radiation should only be introduced to your body when it's needed.

You got them because you were price shopping - doesn't sound smart .

You got them in Mexico - stupid.

Dental x-rays are pretty low radiation compared to many medical x-rays, especially the digital variety. Of all the things in this story, this is one of my least concerns.

Having said that, I do agree that 3 sets in a short period of time is beginning to push it.

Dentist

What do you have to go through to use an X-Ray machine at your office? I'm assuming the machines are calibrated and regulated by some standard. Also I'm sure there is some level of training and certification to use the machine.

Why would I believe the ones in Mexico are the same?

- AZ

absolutely have to calibrate, register the devices, and have them checked. Definitely training and certification.

You have no reason to believe they are the same.

I got your point. But the radiation for dental x-rays is so low that even if they were blasting him with 3X the radiation which is unlikely, that the damage received would be very low.

Gotcha

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Is Tramadol over the counter down there?

everything is. i/a friend used to get them down there. we called them easter eggs due to the multi color gel tab version we got..

 

[Dentist]

Then it needs to get less expensive to see the dentist than it is to have a heart attack. Dentistry costs are ridiculously high and dental insurance is pretty crappy for the most part. Or if it isn't it's practically unaffordable. Medical tourism is going to continue to grow. With earning power stagnate to declining for all but a few and dental prices spiraling out of control it's simple economics.

I'm not sure what you mean by your first statement. The vast majority of people I see in my office just get their 2 cleanings a year and maybe a filling or a crown. Even if you were 100% cash on the 2 cleanings and let's say you break a tooth and need a crown.. you're maybe out $1300-1600 bucks (depending on your area)... this isn't "heart attack" high. The only "heart attack high" stuff is when people choose complex restorative options that are generally completely optional.

Dental insurance is crappy.... because it is difficult to put together actuarial tables in dentistry like they do for medicine to determine premium costs. They don't pre-scan you for pre-existing conditions.....

Also individual teeth are still considered somewhat optional. Your choice to save a tooth with the expensive choice of root canal and crown vs. inexpensive removal. You choose whether to have an expensive bridge or implant as a replacement for your tooth or to go without a replacement or with a removable option.

And furthermore people cause 80% of their own problems. Avoiding major dental care doesn't have to be hard.. Brush/floss/don't smoke/don't eat too much sugar/don't bite your nails/don't grind your teeth/control your acid reflux/get your teeth cleaned on a regular basis.

You say earnings have stagnated, all I see is people driving nicer cars than me, paying for expensive phone/data plans that they survived without just fine 10 years ago, and having elite home/cable internet packages.. People pay $250 a month for their data cell phones, home internet and cable internet... if they rocked an inexpensive home phone and used over-the air TV and didn't get all their expensive tattoos they would have plenty of money for dentistry.

I'm not worried being in Missouri.

If I worked in texas or florida or california or something, I might worry. But all I see is people who barely have enough time to come to a local nearby dentist... it would cost them so much to take the time off work, travel to the area (and somehow afford that)... and then take the risks to get the stuff done... that it's just not going to make sense... especially when my costs are some of the lowest in the nation already.

I am talking about huge bills for dental work. I am not talking about cleanings. And you keep pushing this big risk. If you do your due diligence there really isn't that much more risk there than here. You know what they call the stupidest graduate of medical school? Doctor. You can definitely get messed up right here in the good ol USA.

There don't have to be huge bills for dental work. You don't want a crown, a bridge, a root canal.. fine, get it pulled. I do plenty of that type of work as well. Dental bills are only expensive if you want to keep and have your teeth rather than resorting to other less expensive options like dentures. You can biologically survive just fine with fewer than 28 teeth (32 - 4 wisdom teeth), and many survive and thrive very well with a fraction of that number.

I will not debate you that you can get bad dental work in the USA. I would be untruthful if I said that I had a positive outcome on 100% of my cases as well (as would every doctor).

I am sure there are very good mexican dentists out there. It's just that every single immigrant to this country that i've seen in my office personally (which of course is a small sample size) has had mediocre dental work at best, and I've seen plenty of things that would be considered malpractice in this country.

I think we can agree that life is a game of odds and probabilities... you'll have good beats and bad beats.

To use a poker analogy... you could definitely win the pot in a game of poker with a below average starting hand and everything will turn out great (the mexican dentist) and you can definitely lose a pot by choosing an above average starting hand (american dentist).... But in general your odds of getting better dental work done are here in the U.S. vs. Mexico... and it's not as close as you might think.

I think the OP knows what he is doing here. He's consciously choosing lesser price care and I believe he expects a result that may not last as long and might expect some complications. So that's fine.

I've made plenty of choices in my life where I took the cheapest option with something. Generally I've regretted it, but sometimes it has turned out great.

It's just that i wouldn't make that decision with health care because of my first hand experiences with 3rd world dentistry.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

i still wish we had been able to coordinate dentist extracting my wisdom tooth on the kc/raider trip last year.

 

[shadyridr]

Are you gonna goto Mexico for your cancer treatments?

 

[lombardi]

Are you gonna goto Mexico for your cancer treatments?

Um, didn't you read the thread, I covered this earlier? The Tequila worm should take care of whatever ails me.

 

[Plaid Boxer]

her back room was also very open, lots of room, very clean

We made it this far and no one called out this description of dentist #3?

 

[dickey moe]

Honest question: do you use toothpaste?

 

[Das Boot]

The things I'd be worried about would all be health related:

Sterilization standards with tools

Quality and content of materials used - cheap stuff often has nasty chemicals, etc... in it

Danger associated with any anesthetic used

Lower quality of work possibly causing future health problems

Missed medical diagnosis during the dental work that would have been caught by a better educated dentist

 

[Treynwreck3]

I went to a dentist in Acuna for the last 15 years. She was hung headless on the international bridge about 9 months ago. She was an activist against the gang/drug violence. I don't cross the border much anymore, but when I do it's only daytime and people on US side know where I going.

 

[tdoss]

Can't wait to get the official FBG dentist's input on this

I'm going to go ahead and stay out of this thread - i read it so far. But this is probably going to be the only post I make in here. I already delivered my statement on it, the OP knows it, and he's moved on. That's perfectly fine.

The thing about this thread is that as he has already stated.. we won't really know some of the outcomes for a few years anyway.

I know that dentistry is expensive. I'm already in one of the lowest cost areas of the country for dentistry in Missouri so I know what some of you face in larger metropolitan areas.

The fees he is getting from these Mexican places are clearly less than I charge, less than half in most of the cases.

I am sure that price comes from the fact that the dentists down there play their employees probably much less, don't have to follow as stringent of OSHA guidelines, probably don't use as expensive of materials, probably don't have the risk of lawsuits for their work and the accompanying malpractice insurance and are probably willing to accept a lower profit margin on their work.

I've seen some cheap poorly done dentistry actually work for people for much longer than it would seem possible.. and I've seen plenty more that simply leaves me scratching my head as to what the heck these people were doing.

I recognize that I'm biased on my opinion due to what I do. I also recognize that medical tourism is becoming more popular as medical costs rise in this country

Again, I'm biased but there are many things you can skimp and save on in your life, and medical/dental care just isn't one of the places I'd choose to save money on. I'd rather have crappier clothes, drive a worse car, eat out less, or give up some other luxury than get medical care done in a 3rd world country.

I am pretty sure how this thread will go. The OP will probably choose their provider and probably be very pleased with the outcome relative to the cost at the time the service is done.

Even good dental care sometimes has results that break down quicker than I would like them to. I certainly have to do more warranty work than I would like to sometimes...

But we won't know for a few years down the road whether the OP made a good decision or not.

The descriptions of the exam appointments already have me cringing all over the place.

I sincerely hope this thread doesn't inspire a wave of FBG's to do try this.

I know Lombardi...the guy doesn't waste cash on frivolous things and already budgets big time in order to allow his wife to stay home with the three kids. The guy has been able to take his kids on a year long trip all over the U.S. while working from his laptop...he always keeps cost in mind but still finds a way to provide a fruitful, adventurous and loving upbringing for this kids. There simply is no more fat to cut without sacrificing the important things...sure, he can get another job or his wife can...but that will take one or both of them away from the kids during the "important years". The costs of these procedures is somewhere near $30K in the states...that's just unreal. If the guy can get comparable work done a stone throw across the border for around $8K...that's worthy to me...especially if those savings help to establish a down-payment on a great home much quicker than if you did these procedures in the States.

Lombardi...sorry for putting your business in the streets...PM me and I'll delete this post. I just wanted to clarify that this isn't simply a case of "cut costs...stop eating out, cut back the premium channels kinda nonsense".

 

[tdoss]

I still can't get over the X-Ray thing. Any doctor (I think) will tell you getting three X-Rays is not good unless you really need it. Radiation should only be introduced to your body when it's needed.

You got them because you were price shopping - doesn't sound smart .

You got them in Mexico - stupid.

Relax...I've had a number of x-rays done in a day...all in the States. I don't think they opened up lead encased sample of Uranium 235 until he glowed.