I'm thinking of having some dental work done in Costa Rica

[Melissa G]

Has any one gotten work done there or other countries? Advice welcome. Thanks!

[Vincardog]

1. I want to know what answers you get. I am heading to Ecuador in January.

[Ernesto]

2. I have relatives that routinely go to Tijuana for such services

They live north of San Diego and swear by the value and professionalism found south of the border. BTW, the are upper middle class anglos.

[Vincardog]

3. I am heading to Ecuador looking for someplace I can afford to love, if I ever start to receive SSI.

[Melissa G]

4. I would be willing to go to Mexico, though I am a bit concerned about border violence.

A good dentist in a major Mexican resort town would be a welcome name. I need a crown and a molar implant. My Spanish is passable, but I would prefer an English speaking dentist.

[petersjo02]

5. Algodones Mexico

Near Yuma. Many qualified dentists and optometrists there, and the prices are right. You can park on US side of the border check point and walk across. I have always felt safe in Algodones.

[Melissa G]

6. Yeah, There was a dental tourism company there.

They take you over in a van and help you have time to shop and vacation a bit. I found these guys on the net. http://www.dayodental.com/destination.php?p=20

I live in Austin, TX, so I would prefer something closer to home. I have a friend who lives in Monterrey for part of the year and another who lives in San Miguel. I may try to pick their brains about Mexican dentists.

[Melissa G]

9. Dayo Dental just called me back. They have a Dentist in Cancun

which is closer to me than Algodones. They are quoting $270 for a crown to $350 for a metal based porcelain fused crown. 8 day stay is all that is needed.

[semillama]

7. Out of curiousity- why are you looking outside of the US for dental care?

Is it insurance related?

[Melissa G]

8. It's cost related. Crowns are $1,000 to $1,200, Implants are $4,000

If I am going to spend this much money, I figure I may as well get a vacation. I have airline miles so that saves the airline fee.
Medical tourism has lots of good buzz on the net and some friends have had great results with it. I have a friend who has a great dentist in Kosovo, but I am not in a hurry to visit there.

Thailand, Hungary, Poland and India all seem to have the best dental satisfaction. I live in Texas, so Costa Rica is closest and I do speak some Spanish. Costa Rica is also beautiful and I have always wanted to visit. I really don't like dental work, so the vacation makes it a better experience for me.

This place says it is good at implants. http://www.aestheticdentistrycr.com/travel_info_costa_rica.html They quote $500 which is an eighth of the cost in my area of the country. It makes sense to me to consider this option.

[semillama]

10. Sounds like a good idea, then

I'd probably do the same thing in your position. But you wouldn't have to pull any teeth to get me to Costa Rica! *rimshot*

[Melissa G]

11. LOL! I'm just a workaholic and need extra help.

Hope You get there on vacation. :)

[Melissa G]

12. Kicking for someone who has a good Dentist in Costa Rica

Cozumel or Cancun would also be okay...

[Carter44]

14. Re: Cancun is better

I agree, I love the Caribbean :D

[Carter44]

13. Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry

Last summer I went to Cancun with my brother and we both had some dental work in Cancun. This clinic is clean, affordable prices and great service. You can e-mail me if you want and I can give you details. Their web page is http://www.cancuncosmeticdentistry.com

[Cape-Traveler]

15. Dental work in Costa Rica

My wife and I have been to Costa Rica for some major dental work.
There are some very good dentists there, as well as some not so good, much like anywhere else.
Patient-BE-WARE !

Check out dentists by asking for references and speak to them.
The clinic we are going-to, is Meza Dental Care in San Jose, Costa Rica.
That clinic has the most up-to-date equipment, dentists with US training (UCLA) and service beyond compare.
They pick you up at the airport and take you back on your way home,
in addition to picking you up for all your treatments and taking you back to your hotel.
Prices are about 25% - 33% of US dentists we have seen, so after paying for airfare, hotel and food,
you still come out way ahead if you have more than just a few filling to get done.

They specialize in smile makeovers and implants.
Check them out, all their patients speak very highly of them.
Good luck,
R