Going to a Dentist in Mexico
The night we “officially” relocated to San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico my wife lost a pretty major filling and needed to find a dentist. She wasn’t in any sort of pain and it wasn’t an emergency but it was something that needed to be taken care of and of course, we didn’t want to wait too long to address it.
It was around 7 PM I asked a friend of mine if he knew of any local dentists that could see us on short notice and he recommended Doctor Mario Flores at Dental San Cristóbal. He told us his office is near our home right on the Andador (main walking area) and we should go see him. I said thanks and we will get up and go in the morning. He told us we could go right then; he has his office hours in the evening. So we left and after a ten-minute walk, we found the office exactly as he told us – directly across from Anabananna – and went inside.
The waiting area was a bit aged but clean and serviceable. We talked to the receptionist and she asked us if it was an emergency. My wife explained that it wasn’t but she would like to take care of it soon. She gave her an appointment for 7 PM the next night and we left to go out and enjoy a crisp cool night in San Cristobal.
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The next night we arrived about ten minutes early and after a short wait, she was shown into the office. The dentist was a personable man who spoke perfect English and asked what the problem was. My wife explained what had happened with the filling and after a quick examination, he said told he could fix it right away and gave her the cost up front: 500 pesos (about $37 USD).
The office was clean, seemed to have all the latest equipment and after 15 minutes or so she had a new filling. The dentist politely scolded her for brushing too hard and suggested she go out and get a new toothbrush with softer bristles. We paid. We left. We went to a nearby pharmacy and got a new toothbrush. We were home in less than an hour. Going to a dentist in Mexico proved to be more convenient and much cheaper.
Now I don’t know what the same thing would have cost in the United States but I am sure the cost would have been substantially more. I am also pretty sure it would have been a bit tough to get a next day appointment as a new patient with a new dentist. I am also pretty sure the odds would be slim for getting a 7 PM appointment. Once again we have had another no muss on fuss experience with the Mexican medical establishment and it has been nothing but positive for us, but you should do you own homework too.
That’s great that you went to such a good dentist in Mexico. It’s nice that healthcare can be so much less expensive outside of the US!
Listen – I am “CLEARLY” all about the mexican dentist. You could even day committed to getting all my future dental work done in Mexico. I have had literally thousands & thousands american cost dental work completed in Mazatlan where my dentist is…. for only hundreds. Crowns, Implant replacement, basic cleaning and maintenance. I was really afraid when i lost my big corporate job in America & the puffy medical insurance with it….I can say i actually stressed for the better part of the year. THEN… after making new friends in Mexico, going to their recommended Dr’s & Dentists…. I see that I have nothing to worry about. The health care providers in my experience, thus far, in Mexico have been absolutely perfect with NO complaint. nThe last run of dental work I had done require replacing components of a dental implant that went south on me. The american dentist were quoting 6-7,000 american dollars. I got ALL the work done – clear to a perfect finish for just under a thousand. When the oral surgeon found out I was taking the public bus back to my hotel… he called out to his receptionist to cancel his next two appointments. He drove me to the pharmacy for my medication, then drove me to my hotel. THEN…. paid a house call two days later to check on the swelling and stitches. nAnd I will only make mention… of the blood work, mammo & annual that ALL cost less than 250$ INCLUDING an after visit to the Dr. Again to have him review my blood work up because it was all in Spanish and my Spanish is not so good YET ! nnSo my testament is…… Mexico offers no risk on my part thus far for receiving medical care. In fact it offers me a great relief and comfort knowing I can get this great care by really, really nice people. nnBlessings everyone – Karen