Los Algadones Dentist?

[Superbee_Jim]

Wife may need a root canal or crown, any names of good dentist? If a crown is needed, do they make the imprint of the tooth and you have to come back a different day or do they have a lab that makes they while you wait? Do they have a person that does root canals on site? Do you make an appointment or just show up and wait your turn? How far of a walk is it across the bridge, like Progresso near Texas. Thanks ahead for the answers! Jim

[Superbee_Jim]

So are these dentist that you know about or have had good recommdations? Thanks again, Jim

[2gypsies1]

John&Joey wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
...In our 16 years of full-timing we've not heard of one bad instance. We've had excellent care and results and the dental offices were immaculate. We've been to Algodones, Nogales and Progresso.

Yet, you did not answer the OP for a recommendation. :h

Algodones: Sani Dental Group, Enrique Jimenez 928-257-4284 or 928-257-1138; www.sanidentalgroup.cjb.net; AZ Time: Mon-Fri 8-6pm; Sat/Sun 8-3pm This is the most recent used. A crown was $140

Algodones: Sani Dental Group (above) Dr. Graciela Arreola

Algodones, Dr. Figueroa 866-533-2239

Algodones: Dr. Roberta Arce at the Smile Shop

Nogales: Dr. Bojorquez 520-270-9532

Naco: Alvara & Victor Martinez 520-227-8681

Progresso: Used when we first began full-timing 16+ years ago....don't recall the dentist as we then started using those at the Arizona border.

[mockturtle]

Dreaded double post. :S

[2lazy4U]

Maybe, but there are also plenty of not-so-good ones, just like in the U.S., but at least here it's regulated. Just Google it for some of those "urban myths." Even read the Trip Advisor comments, they're not myths.

Those of you who have had good dental care there, that's great, but there are plenty who haven't. Do some research and you'll see. It's not all faked, if any. Like I said, I talked to a dentist who had seen one of the mistakes and he said it wasn't pretty.

I have nothing against Mexican dentists, just saying I wouldn't use them. I might have really good luck, but I prefer not to chance it. My health is too important and I don't like pain.

[The_Texan]

2lazy4U wrote:

Be aware that a lot of the reviews on Trip Advisor and such are faked by the dental clinics.

Also be aware that "unethical" American dentist plant horror stories about Mexico dentist and their work, too. I have had Mexican dental work since I was a teenager in the 50's and have NOTHING but good to say about their work. In Algodones, many of the dentist are American trained, have superior equipment to most American dental offices and because they do NOT have to have "mandatory" malpractice insurance and "mandatory" liability insurance and "mandatory" medical group requirements, or have to live in a multi million dollar mansion, they can price their services at a point most folks can afford.

I had a friend who is an American dentist look at the work I had done in Mexico and he said it was far superior to many procedures he had seen preformed by American dentists, so just because it is done in the US, does NOT make it any better.

Dental Betel, who we use in Algodones, will fill out your American Dental Insurance papers and our insurance pays us, just like if we were in the US.

[John_Joey]

2gypsies wrote:
...In our 16 years of full-timing we've not heard of one bad instance. We've had excellent care and results and the dental offices were immaculate. We've been to Algodones, Nogales and Progresso.

Yet, you did not answer the OP for a recommendation. :h

[olygene]

I was a snowbird in AZ for 8 years and met many RVers who had dental work done in Algadones and were totally satisfied. In those 8 years I never met one RVer who complained about their dental work. There probably are some but most of them I think are urban myths. I have dental insurance so I use a US dentist; however I do not have optical insurance so I use an Algadones optometrist and am very satisfied with the service and the price. You might try posting on RV.net for any dissatisfied first person patients of Algadones dentists to see what you get.

[2oldman]

2lazy4U wrote:
..there are plenty of happy campers, but to me the risk isn't worth it. I prefer to have a dentist locally where I can go back if I have problems

x2

I'm all for getting good work at a great price, and we hear that a lot on here, but for me, that's not something I'll be doing. It's hard for me to understand how a 3rd world country with nothing much else good going for it to have 'excellent' dentists. Just doesn't wash.

I went to an Escapees' recommended dentist for a cleaning for $20. 6 months later my WA dental assistant spent a lot of time cleaning up the mess. If you want good work I suggest you TIP them generously, up front. That's how things work down there.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

Have had lots of work done by Clarrisa Salzar down there three times. She lives in Yuma and comes over daily bringing USA liquids with her, and we checked her sanitizing beforehand. Unfortunately she wasn't available last time we were there to get a replacement plate, as mine was ill fitting. Got prices from Alberta Dentistry at $400 + $50 to clean, and several others quoted similar. Ended up at Torres, lovely young dentist and receptionists and will go back to them. Took more time and several fits to make sure was very comfortable for me (didn't feel rushed at all). Cost $250 for the plate and $25 for the clean.

Be careful of the folks on the street trying to encourage you to go to a specific dentist. They get about a 10% commission based on your actual bill from the dentists they drag you in to. Far better to go in and approach direct yourself and keep those dollars in your pocket.

There are two Torres locations, we went to the one in the courtyard/mini alley opposite the Purple Pharmacy and as said, thrilled with attention to detail and price. Best fit ever!

[2lazy4U]

Of course I can't give you all the links, as there were dozens. I suggest you Google it and do some research yourself, as you'll find there are plenty of bad stories. I have no dog in this fight, as I have no affiliation with anyone, just trying to tell others there are bad things that have happened and to be cautious. I'm glad you didn't experience them personally, and as my post said, there are plenty of happy campers, but to me the risk isn't worth it. I prefer to have a dentist locally where I can go back if I have problems, and I also prefer to use doctors who are regulated, as I said.

And an office can look immaculate but that doesn't mean they follow sanitary practices.

[2gypsies1]

Duplicate

[2gypsies1]

2lazy4U: Can you give links to all the 'bad' occurrences you 'read' or 'know' about?

In our 16 years of full-timing we've not heard of one bad instance. We've had excellent care and results and the dental offices were immaculate. We've been to Algodones, Nogales and Progresso.

[2lazy4U]

I needed major dental work, so I spent literally a couple of days doing online research about dentists in Mexico. I then contacted some RVers who had blogs indicating they'd gone there for their dental work.

I know a lot of people have had work in Mexico and are happy with the results, but to me, the risks outweigh the savings. I read about people with every imaginable disaster possible, including one who caught meningitis and almost died. I saw xrays of people who'd had the screws put into their mouths crooked (for implants). I also read about not being properly shielded for xrays and using unsanitary instruments as well as bad water. I also read stories of people who thought they had good results and found out a year later they didn't when their inexpensive crowns fell off or cracked. I talked to a local dentist (after the fact, so they weren't trying to get my business) who had a patient come to him for help after having Mexican dental work and had to be sent to an oral surgeon, who then told him he couldn't help as the damage was too great. They ended up in a major city for the work at a huge cost.

Be aware that a lot of the reviews on Trip Advisor and such are faked by the dental clinics.

Everyone has to do their own thing, but I'm glad I had my work done by a competent local dentist who was there afterwards in case I had any problems. I have no affiliations with anything dental, and I think the costs here can be too high, but I enjoy getting my medical treatment from a first-world country where things are regulated, which they aren't in Mexico. Saving money isn't worth it if you're in pain afterwards.

[John_Joey]

I've heard many glowing reports from snowbirds that have done that, but I think the best advice yet is to get word of mouth from those in that area/park. The internet is nice, but it sure doesn't replace the ability to size up a person that is giving the free advice to you (me included.)

My dentist of 15 years just retired late last summer. I told my hygienist during the cleaning that if I don't like the new replacement, might have to give Mexico a try.

She then told me that my retiring dentist just replaced a full mouth of crowns for a patient who had them done in Mexico (don't know where.) Did it all at cost(he's really a good dentist/guy)because he felt so sorry for them and they were in pain.

[2oldman]

rjxj wrote:
It's a pita to even walk around there and browse the trinkets because they won't shut up and just let you look.

And the shoe shine urchins.