and

Dentistry

Hello!  Well, can you take one more article about dentistry, highlighted by an email from a reader, James, and my answer to him? 

Seems like I’ve been writing a lot about this part of Mexico living and saving. It’s only because I’ve been getting so much interest shown in the subject.  I have received numerous emails questioning or confirming the practicality of heading to Mexico for dental work.  This particular article is in response to Jame’s email to me – which was very short, but deserved as thorough an answer as I could give:  “I’m retired on SS. Worried about cost to have several implants done. Impossible here in Fl.  Any info appreciated! James”

My answer to James:

“Hi James – Know just exactly what you mean. About 4 months ago, I had two implants started – in Algodones, Mexico. That means I had the bone in my jaw drilled to accept a screwed in “screw” – that in about 2 more month’s time will hold the finished “teeth” that will be glued onto the screws that are on the right rear of my mouth. The six month’s time gap is because the bone in my jaw will grow around the screw and secure it and then the top “pretty” tooth can be put in place and at that time, I will have what is actually a new tooth in my head – well, I’ll have two new teeth – back right side. They will then be treated just like a real tooth – brushed, cleaned, and used to chew!! I’ve been chewing only on the left side for a while now – can’t wait until I can chew properly again.

“The price of an implant is usually divided into two sections – mine was $600 each for the drilling and the screw, and then will hopefully be no more than $175 for the finished teeth. Quite a bit of saving, when you see the advertisments around for implants.

“When I first checked into implants, almost 11 years ago, the price in Arizona was $9,000 (no typo) each. Dick and I went to a seminar, well-attended by people with real problems – why other would anyone be interested in such an expensive project? And I think the most disgusting part of that whole evening was when the dentist conducting the seminar convinced a gentleman – I’d guess his age at 78 – to have his whole mouth done with transplants. The gentleman said he couldn’t afford to have that done and the dentist’s reply was “Don’t worry about that – we finance”. This gentleman was going to his grave (in my opinion) with a mouth full of teeth after making exhorbitant payments to those dentists who were going to charge big interest on that loan, and still have huge bills to pass on to his heirs…how sad – and how disgusting that a dentist would even suggest such a thing!

“That was the begining of Dick’s and my exploring the possibilities of Mexican dentists – and we are very happy we can take advantage of those possibilities. So – guess my answer has grown into a seminar itself here :)

“I did have a lady in Florida, several years ago contact me – through this site – and ask about dentists – just like you. She decided (after receiving the info she asked for) that she would bring her daughter on a cross-country vacation, get her dental work done in Mexico, and still have money to put in her pocket, when she compared the cost her dentist had quoted her and the amount she would have to pay in Mexico for the same stuff.

“You do have to remember that implants will take two trips to the dentist. But, I could take one heck of a vacation on a whole lot less even than $9000. I’m sure the costs of implants has gone down, but last time I checked they were still several thousand each. Good luck. And – read all my articles here about dentists – you’ll feel better. Barbie”

p.s. There are “mini” transplants that may take only one trip – check them out when you’re at the dentist – they are even cheaper, and from what I’ve read are just as strong and substantial as the regulars.

Implant Dentistry Article by Barbie.

“Hi Mom, I wanted to send you a quick message about how happy I was about my 6 month check up and my last trip to the Gator Dental Group in Los Algodones, Mexico, near Yuma.

“I made my appointment with Rosalba, one of their receptionists, who speaks perfect English, earlier in the month at (928-377-4562).  I keep one of their Gator Dental Group business cards in my passport, both for ease of access and to remind me to take my passport with me.

“Since it is summer time, their business is kind of slow, so I had my choice of days and times.  I made the trip from Los Angeles in good time through the beautiful Imperial Valley again.

“I got an early start and arrived ready for yet another adventure in Mexico in the early afternoon.  After parking in the designated parking lot on the American side, and walking a short distance, I was heartedly greeted at the front door of the office by Leo, one of the young men who hand out the dentist’s business cards as you go by on the street, and who is a great translator and who also acts as a host for the Gator Dental office, My friend Leo greeted me and I was ushered straight in to the dentist’s chair.

“I had one little chip in the back of my front porcelain veneer and the dentist asked me if I wanted it replaced.  I thought it could just be patched so that’s what he did.  A quick patch and a clean exam and I was finished with the dentist in about 15 minutes. And I was only charged $30.  A fair price I thought for the service.

“Since I had the rest of the afternoon and didn’t have to meet my brother Chris until later that night, Leo took me next door to the Green Room Bar and Grill, where I enjoyed a couple of beers and many, many games of pool in the cool air conditioning!  I was careful and didn’t have too many beers because I did have to drive to Phoenix, plus in the heat, drinks can affect you differently, especially if you get dehydrated in the heat. So I drank bottled ice tea too.

“I had a great afternoon of playing pool with all of the guys who normally run the numerous businesses of the town, at the many dentists and optometrists in Los Algodones.  After saying my goodbyes to the guys and to my host Leo, I grabbed a sandwich, chips and cold bottled water and my allotted liter of Kahlua at the Purple Pharmacy on my short walk to the border crossing.  I was the only “Norte Americano” going back home that day in the heat so I had no waiting to cross – this is when you must have your passport – to enter the United States of America.

“So I had a great experience at Gator again.  Much thanks to Rosalba, Leo and Doctor Edgar, for another inexpensive dental checkup and fix.”

Additional from Barbie: there are many, many dentists and opticians in Algodones, and lots of pharmacies to boot…so plan on taking care of a couple of your needs with one trip if possible.  Every penny saved is a penny earned – and I don’t know about you, but it’s been a real long time since Dick and I got a raise in our Social Security – so – make those pennies stretch!  Here’s more info about Dental prices in Mexico:  Click here and Click here. 

Dentist Article by Barbie

Hi Everyone – Just wanted to share this with all of you.  It’s a short film of our dog, Griffon, eating corn on the cob.  Now, don’t get upset with us – this is truly a rare treat for him.  Corn is probably not the best thing to feed dogs, but this little guy really loves it, so once in a long while, he gets this treat.  Like it’s said by everyone -” If I do come back, in the next life, I’d like to be someone’s pet!”  Griffy truly lives a wonderfully happy  ”dog’s life”. …Don’t miss the Dental info below!

Dentist Info

Then, also need to up-date you on eldest son’s latest trip to Algodones Dentist:    Richard had to stay overnight in Yuma, but he had  four root canals with posts, and 7 crown, for the grand total of $1260… and that also included his wife’s work – think he said she had 4 cavities fixed.

So, what can I say – I’m so glad we all can make it to a dentist that we can afford!  I was just told by a friend that he checked the cost of a root canal in the Phoenix area and was told it would be $1400…suppose that included the post and the tooth to cover it.  They headed to Mexico too and had their work done there.

Hope you are all surviving the summer weather!  Sure it’s hot – it comes every year :)

Best to you all.  Barbie

Just to let you know – I’m researching the new Mexico immigration laws – trying to get things into plain English.  Will be putting an article together soon.

Dentist and Doggy Article by Barbie.

AN EMAIL ON DENTIST COST

Hola (Oh-la) Everyone,

I received an email from Tony this week – this is his response, and my reply to the dental situation and living and working in Mexico:

Dear Barb,

I am writing in response to your e-mail about low dentist cost.

And you are right.  I am having my teeth done now as we speak.

(Okay, I am not in the chair, but I am under a dentist’s care)

I lost my four front teeth back in 2005, and had not wanted to do anything because the dentist wanted to charge me $4500, ABOVE AND BEYOND what the insurance was going to pay!

I am paying $9000 pesos ($900 USD) for the bridge.  I am thrilled to know I will have teeth again, especially since I now have a teaching job, teaching English to the people here.  The pay is low, but the experience is exhilarating.

I REPLIED:  Hi Tony – Good For You!!!  Would love to hear more about your teaching experiences – so many people ask about that – I’ve written many times about the pay in Mexico – some people just don’t get it.  But, if I can pass even more info along – well, we try.  Barbie

Dentist Info by Barbie

Mexico

Affordable

Dental!

My son, Steve,

just wrote me

about his

dental visit

in Algodones, Mexico.

Here’s how he put more money in his pocket by going to a dentist in Mexico — and how you can, too!

Yes, it’s summer, and it’s hot – may just as well accept it.  Sure we complain – and every year, everyone says, “Gosh, it’s never been so hot, has it?”  Well, I’m afraid it’s just that time of the year – hang in there – the beautiful months can’t be far ahead.  Now, on with Steve’s story: 

“Hi Mom, 

“I just wanted to give you a report on my recent return to the Gator Dental Group in Los Algodones B.C, Mexico for a dental check up.  Just like my first time there about a year ago, I was very pleased at the service and the work they gave me. 

“Luckily, I was having no problems with my teeth but thought I was due for a check up. Your http://www.moneysavingmexico.com/ site directed me to the dentist information I needed so I booked an appointment about two weeks prior to making a southern detour to Baja California on my drive home from Phoenix to Los Angeles. 

Heading to Algodones for My Dental Work

“I booked my dental appointment for a Monday morning so I got an early start from Phoenix and arrived in Yuma about three and a half hours later without incident.  Traffic on the way was very light. I built in an extra thirty minutes to have a second breakfast at the Denny’s in Yuma before crossing the boarder so that was nice. 

Heading to Algodones

“Parking on the U.S. side of the border on the Reservation lot was as easy as I remembered – just take the last right prior to the border. There were maybe 75 cars with me in the lot that day.  Parking charge of $5 was paid upon exit. 

“Crossing the border on the way into Mexico, I heard the few pharmacy vendors’ calls and made a mental note to stop at the Purple Pharmacia/Liquor Store before I left the country as I walked the block and a half to one of the Gator Dental Group’s offices.  This group has two offices in town, about a block from each other, between A and B Avenues. Remember these are small “walking” blocks; it’s a tiny town, so they are both very conveniently located. 

“I had to wait about an hour as two elderly brothers were given impressions for their upcoming denture installment.  But the dental office was air conditioned, very clean (although tiny) and they served complimentary bottled water and coffee as I chatted with one of the brothers’ wife in the waiting room who had also come for the same purpose from Phoenix that day. 

“During my exam, Dr. Guzman found four little cavities in my teeth so he numbed me up and fixed them with white amalgam right then and there and also gave me a cleaning for $150 US.  Incredible.  I was very happy with the service at Gator Dental, the quality of the work and especially the price.  Before learning about Mexican dental care from your web site, I got an estimate at a dentist in L.A. who wanted $200 to fix ONE tooth and $65 for a cleaning.  Incredible.  I was finished and out the door before noon – none of this, “We’ll fix one today, then schedule appointments for the rest”, bull$#!& I would have gotten at a dental office in the states. 

“I almost stopped at one of the many optical shops in town to buy a new pair of bifocals, but decided to wait until next time.  I’ll give you a report on that at a later date. 

“On the short walk back to my car, I stopped at the Purple Pharmacia for generic Retin-A ($2.16/40g) and then the connected liquor store for Kahlua ($8.50/L); two more excellent buys.  Remember, the U.S. allows a person to cross into the country with only one liter of liquor. 

“It is usually about a five hour drive from Yuma to Los Angeles.  My ride through the desert back home was hot and uneventful until I reached Cabazon on the 10 freeway where an accident held things up for a while. 

“As long as I have the time to get there, I’ll go back to Los Algodones and the Gator Dental Group in the future for all of my dental care needs and to save myself a lot of money!” 

Hope you’ve enjoyed his Algodones dental visit adventure  …Best to you all, Barbie

to the dentist

lately?

It is shocking how much a trip to the dentist costs in the U.S.A.. But good dental care doesn’t have to cost a fortune… 

When Dick and I go to the dentist, we almost always choose to go to a little town called Algodones – just south of Yuma, Arizona.  Nogales, just south of Tucson, Arizona, is also a good choice.  But your choices are varied – Nogales, Juarez, Tijuana, Nuevo Progreso, etc.

When we first made our monumental decision to try out a “Mexican Dentist”, we were really a bit hesitant …would they be able to understand us …how do we get an appointment …are they really dentists …how would the cleanliness be …are they up to date …can they do x-rays…so many questions and all so quickly answered on our first trip! We had been satisfied with most “American dentists” … especially when we had dental insurance, paid for by Dick’s employers!

Quite a difference to be asked to cough up $9000 for one implant now! Or $1200 for a root canal and cap – good grief – on retirement income, that’s really just prohibitive  … solution:  just have all the teeth pulled and eat rolled oats for the rest of your life… I don’t think so!  

First of all – the dentist offices do have telephones…

… and 99 times out of 100, all you have to do when they answer is to say “English, Please” , or ‘English, por favor” and the phone will be handed over to someone who can speak English. Tell them you need an appointment and they will set you up – some just say no appointment necessary – and they really mean it. I don’t know how they do it, but you don’t have to wait all that long if you’re a walk-in!  In my book, Retire in Luxury, I have the exact process of making a phone call to Mexico.

One of many monuments in Mazatlan

Now, presumably, you have made your appointment.

You may need to be away from home, depending on where you live, for a couple of days. Believe it or not, you can pay for your traveling expenses, pay the dentist and still save!

And if you’re frugal like the Parks are proud to be – well, you’ll just be amazed at the savings!

You’ll probably also be amazed by the fact that the people you will meet in the waiting rooms are almost always NOT Hispanic!  You’ll visit with snow-birds from Washington and Oregon, part-time Canadian residents, Nevada residents, and Arizonans and Californians just down for the day!

So, off to a border town – or if you’re lucky enough to actually live south of the border – just relax and ask your neighbors where they go.  Since most of you are still considering moving to Mexico for your retirement, be sure to order my latest edition of Retire in Luxury, to help with your retirement decision.

Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the dental situation in Mexico – you won’t feel the least bit strange down here and the price differences are just astonishing!  Just a few sample prices and these are only examples:

Cleaning: $15 to $25
Root Canal $50 to $300
Post: $50 to $150
Porcelain cap: $140 to $350
Cap re-cemented: $30 to $40
Reline: $30 to $40
Bonding: $25 to $50
Extraction: $25 to $100 

So – come on down – you’ll find that you will probably be able to get everything done in one day – they won’t make you come back a dozen times just to finish a process. I know you’ll be glad you go – and, be sure to do a bit of bargaining while you’re there for a colorful clay pot, or maybe a hat… or one of the myriad of handcrafted articles displayed on the streets.

Dentist article by Barbie.

Well anyway, I’ve had so many questions about dental service in Mexico, so here’s a rather long diary entry about my latest adventures in Mexico.

About two weeks ago, I had my front tooth (which had already been root-canaled and capped years ago) break right off – post and all – I was guilty of eating a peanut-butter on white bread sandwich (something I allow myself about once every 3 years)… so apparently, it was just the tooth’s time.

 So…made an appointment with – not the pink dentist – thought I’d try the more expensive one in Mexico, just to see how they were…Rubio and his clinica.  So, down we went – and of course, not like the $1,000-plus prices in the states, the tooth could be recapped for $350.

On that trip the dentist at that clinic prepped the tooth, and sent me home with a temporary tooth and an appointment.  Then, the very next day my top-right-bridge lost about an inch of the porcelain. Meaning:  I had a gapping black hole in my mouth! LOL

So back to Algodones, Mexico. My 5-tooth lower bridge was being supported by only three teeth – which is excellent – but when they took the bridge off, the middle tooth had so much decay that it would no longer support the bridge. No problem. Transplants are available at $1600 each plus by this time the teeth involved would have to be recapped @ $450 each.

Needless to say, I had lots of work done that day. Temporaries were put in, so I looked okay; the big black gap was gone, but I would have to wait even for the extraction of the decayed tooth because now Rubio was going on a three-week vacation!  Oh no!

They also gave me another option that would be no transplants, and fix up the uppers for a total of $1650 – and it would be okay – oh, that also involved a removable partial – on top – didn’t sound too good to me.

And so… back home again, to ponder the choices we had.

So on our next visit to Algodones, we wondered around and stopped in several dentists just asking the prices of a cap. Varies from $100 up.  Somehow we found one who was very interested – we just sort of hit it off – Gator Dentist Group -  and they said there were other solutions – so, an exam, some suggestions – they say the bridge can be supported without a transplant – sounding interesting and it just would involve nine caps, including the bridge all tied together – for $1350!  Now it’s sounding like a bargain.

We ate, then took a nap in the parking lot of Cracker Barrel and headed back south of the border.

We were there at 7:55 p.m.  At least lots of lights were left on at the dentist’s office, but no one in site.  Eventually, after much pounding on the door, the lab-assistant (no speak English) came to the door – at 8:15 p.m., I finally managed to slip a note under the door so the assistant could give to the doctors when they showed up, telling them that we would be back in the morning to get the teeth placed.  But, the assistant kept trying to contact the dentists on three different cell phones that were on the desk – shuffling papers around, looking desperate – because these two apparent Americans wanted something he didn’t understand.

At about  8:25 p.m. – by this time Dad was fuming and I kept saying – you know it’s Mexico – they will show up – finally down the street came a big SUV and the two doctor’s rushed out of it – they had been at a restaurant enjoying music (which we could hear as we had been standing on the sidewalk) and they forgot the time – so Mexican!!!

 So, no problem – neither of them had had a drink – I checked that out with my super sniffer. And in we went, the teeth were “almost ready” – at 9:45 we said – no more “almost” – take us to the border – we’ll be back in the morning when they have time to fit them correctly.  By this time, we have a full-complement of office staff – the gal at the desk – one who was English speaking – the lab assistant, the two doctors, another guy – don’t know what he was doing – and Dick and me.  So, the gal at the desk took us to the border in a golf cart (these are getting popular down there, as the town grows) and we got across with 4 minutes to spare :P )  And an appointment to come back in the morning.

Which we did – and the teeth were ready- and look good – just hope it works.  By this time, after so much pleasure about how beautiful the teeth look, etc, we – the doc and I started talking – well – trying to – about what could be done to my bottom teeth – I do hate the partial…and so, they figured out the options that could be done there.

 The most amazing solution was to tie 14 crowns together and that would support several added “floating crowns” in the rear of each side of my mouth.

Now, I haven’t had teeth (other than that darn bridge) in the back of my mouth for years! So this was sounding pretty great – The cost – an additional $2100.  Darn, Dick, we shouldn’t have paid for that cruise!!!!!   But, after much thinking, and by about 12 noon, and some bargaining of course – and bargaining is not something you usually do with a dentist – We arrived at $1800, and they would start right away – and…oh dear – we would come back later in the day – this time around 6 p.m., and they would be ready to place the bottom teeth……at least that gives us 4 hours leeway!

Okay – let’s do it.  Oh – by the way- Happy Birthday Day, Barb! …and happy anniversary, Christmas, etc., etc… :)

So, all my – my only about two years old – caps were removed – sidebar – Richard, Steve, Chris – you probably don’t remember, but most of my teeth problems started when Chris as about four years old and he and I were swimming at JoAnn’s – next door to us on Tremont.  I was acting silly and started swimming like Aquaman – he was on t.v. then – Chris though it was funny – not a good idea to swim with your arms straight down at your side and your head leading the way – I smashed into the bottom of the pool and came up minus my four front teeth….they broke off – luckily not into the root – and since then, it’s been dentist, dentist, dentist…

Anyway – So, the caps came off and things were prepared and I was sent off with a bottom mouth full of temporaries – to spend several hours up north again and come back at 6 p.m. – when the teeth would be ready :)

Dad and I went back to the States and ate at a buffet – I had no problem chewing, suprisingly.  Then, we still had time, so we decided instead of fretting, we’d just go to a casino – luckily we almost came out even there – we had never signed up for their “club” – so they gave us $15 to play with.  We did.  We both at least got relaxed a bit.

Then, back south – we were there at 5:30 p.m.  The dentists were actually there!!!! And the teeth WERE almost ready!  After just a while, they were glued in – by this time, I had shared my website with them, www.retireinluxury.com, and we checked over their website and we were all getting to be pretty good buddies ;)

So, by George!  Around 7, they drove us again to the border (it’s only about 3 blocks) and we easily made it back across – me with a pretty sore mouth.

A three-hour drive and we were home – exhausted!  Oh – the one night we did spend in Yuma – we have before, stayed at a Comfort Inn, about $90, and a Super 8, about $70 and both very nice, and a Days Inn (free breakfast) for $60.  This time, we had been talking with an older lady and her husband last time we were down, at the dentist’s office and they said they had stayed in the Motel 6 for $40 – and it was clean!  So, we tried the Motel 6 – there are two Motel 6’s in Yuma, just blocks from each other – one was $50, the other, the one we stayed in was, tax included, $42.  And the bath, especially, was spotless…no breakfast – just coffee – and it’s right behind the – think it was the Denny’s.