Algodones dental work and prescriptions?

In order to cross back to the US from the dentist visit, have the receipt and a business card from the dentist as proof of the visit and ask the the dentist for a written prescription, at the pharmacy when you purchase the pain medicine ask the pharmasist to make a copy for theire records and to return the original perscription to you.

At the border you now have the the proof of the doctors visit and the prescription that he gave you to be able to purchase pain medication that is stronger than a Tylenol dose.

Pain medication is now controlled, if the pharmacy is following the letter of the law they will ask you for a document that they will register on the prescription note that they retain, do not forget to ask for the original back and ask them to write that it has been filled in Spanish.

navegator

DW and I have gone to Los Algodones for over 3 years now to the dentist and have both had major work done and are very happy with the quality of work. This after I suffered bad work from an endodontist here in the US, who then refused to fix it, to make it right. This even after my regular dentist asked him to! We'll never go to an American dentist again. Now and then friends who find out we go to Mexico for our dental work, ask us if we aren't afraid of getting bad dental work. I reply that you can get bad dental work done anywhere, including in the US!

We have frequently purchased meds in Mexico when at the dentist, but never narcotic class drugs. US Border agents always ask us why we were in Mexico and did you buy anything. I never offer to declare anything -- I just respond honestly to their questions and if they ask, show them our meds if any, and we have never had a problem. Anything we purchased in Mex we have right handy in the front seat to show them if they should ask (we drive in). I have seen people cross into the US with fairly large bags of meds!

Yes, if they will give you a pain killer scrip, keep a copy of the scrip, and if at all possible, in English, as someone said. Personally, I wouldn't declare that you have a pain killer unless they ask what it is.

My suggestion would be on your way in, BEFORE you even go to the dentist, to ask them at one of the large pharmacies about crossing the border into the US with those kind of meds, and also ask them if they have them in stock if you get a scrip. We go to the large Purple Pharmacy, right there when you enter the country. They will advise you there about crossing the border with meds. I have never brought narcotic class drugs across the border, but I have had conversations with them, and found they are very knowledgeable and honest -- my assessment of their attitude is that they don't want any Gringo customers getting in trouble at the border any more than the customer does! -- word of such an incident would surely get around and it would be very bad for business!

Good luck!

PNW_Steve wrote:
If I go to the dentist in Mexico, can I get appropriate pain medication and will I have trouble at the border?

There is no single answer as it depends on several things. You are also at the mercy of the border agent's discretion. Based on a few years ago, this is my suggestion.

Have the doctor prescribe the medication in English on their prescription pad or letterhead with a copy of it for you to keep. Don't leave the pharmacy or doctor's office without a copy of the original prescription.

Obtain only the amount necessary for suitable pain management. A 10 to 20 day supply should be the max. If I know I most likely may only need a day or two of medication, I ask them to only provide a proscription for 5 or 7 days.

Make sure you are receiving medication that is also approved for use in the USA under the proper name. Make sure all medication is properly labeled as to dose, number of pills and proper name of the medication. If the border agents cant't figure out what you have, they may confiscate it.

At the border, have it handy with all documentation and declare it. I practice the airport approach, have it in a bag ready for inspection.

Normally, it's not that big a deal if you're not acting squirrelly or suspiciously. Also I find trying to be too friendly and chummy could lead to a secondary inspection just because of your 7 pills.

Oh, one thing as a side note. You'll be surprised that some reputable medical practices along the border are actually under contract with US health insurance plans. Make sure to ask when setting an appointment if they accept any US plans.

I've had 2 Rc's - not in MX - and since they take out the root, there shouldn't be any pain. The pain came 4 years later when the tooth cracked and irritated the gum.

My advice for taking things back across the border is, don't declare it. I don't really think the border is all that concerned about a few pain pills. A trunkful is a different story.

“Unfortunately, they have clamped down to the point that patients with legitimate need are, at times, denied effective pain management.”

That’s your opinion. A generalization at best. The pain medication crisis isn’t a joke. It’s a national epidemic. What legitimate study (“that patients with legitimate need”) have you done or are you quoting?

We have had between us 3 root canals in Mexico and 1 in the US. We have also had several crowns. We were way more impressed with those in Mexico for several reasons. They do it in fewer steps and are more concerned with preventing any pain during the process. X Rays are also provided. The pricing for crowns doesn't even compare to those in the US, and are of very high quality.

We now live in Mexico and may be biased.

Pain meds are tough to come by in Mexico, possibly available by prescription from a dentist, you'd have to ask.

You will save a huge amount of money by having the work done in Mexico and there are a number of very good dentists in Algodones. I'm sure names will start appearing soon with recommendations for great dentists.

We have had an occasional incident where we really felt we needed pain meds. Consider reading about the combinations of aspirin and tylenol.