Dental tourism in Mexico
Travel to Mexico for the Best Dental Vacations
The first thing that comes to mind when we hear medical tourism is: saving money. As long as dental healthcare continues to be seen as a cosmetic luxury for North America, rather than a health necessity, this will not change. And this is the main reason why dental tourism in Mexico is blooming.It is true that there are many other dental vacation destinations, but Mexico is rising as the favorite one. Let us further explain why:
- The proximity to the US – Mexico border makes two of the top dental destinations a favorite among Americans and Canadians alike.
- When trying to obtain access to local health, you can’t afford to waste time if a toothache becomes unbearable. Once again, being close to the border makes all the difference.
- In Mexico, even without an insurance plan, you can obtain a high-quality treatment for almost any type of disease or procedure for a small fraction of what those treatments cost at home.
We use the same materials that your local office would use. Even the same brands! This means we are FDA approved.
When coming to Mexico for your dental treatment, you will surely appreciate our affordable prices.
This can be done because the minimum wage, lifestyle, services, and even rent are also lower.
There is also a key component in our recipe. Our Director of Dental Programs, Ricardo Guevara DDS, was the Associate Dental Director of Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester, MA. for over 12 years.
"A well versed medical traveler must know that when we say a small fraction we mean it literally. For example, if you need to have a root canal treatment, the average cost at a US facility will be $900. Whereas in Mexico, a similar dental treatment can cost you less than half of the original price. In fact, we have calculated that at our Tijuana clinic there will be a 64% saving rate.".
The US alone spends over $46 billion dollars every year just on out-of-pocket dental costs. We understand that medical bills are still the #1 cause of personal bankruptcy and having high dental expenses aren’t part of anybody’s life plan. Dental care cost can certainly be burdensome, but you shouldn’t be on the position to choose between receiving dental care or not.
When we greet a dental vacationer, we come across 2 different types. Those who signed up for a long stay and want their dental vacations to stretch for weeks, and those looking to get their dental work done in a matter of hours.
This is because they want to squeeze a dental treatment in their short visit to Mexico. Regardless of your situation, you will always find that same day appointment are available.
Tijuana is a popular destination for dental tourism in Mexico
Mexico has been going up the ranks as a wellness tourism destination. And since it already has some of the most beautiful and popular vacation spots it’s easy to understand why.
As we mentioned before, the closeness to your home is always a good reason to choose Mexico over other medical destinations. And Tijuana might be the perfect dental vacation destination. Even when Molar City has grown quite large in the last couple of years, having San Diego as our twin city is unbeatable.
Not for nothing, The New York Times listed Tijuana as 1 of the 52 places to visit, we ranked #8 back in 2017! And starting 2019, Travel and Leisure published that San Diego was becoming southern California’s coolest city thanks to its proximity to Mexico.
Still interested to know how dental tourism in Mexico is one of a kind? Take a look at the best things to do in Tijuana
Tijuana’s To-do-list
You can’t enjoy dental tourism in Mexico without doing some tourism!When visiting Tijuana for your dental vacations, on both sides of the border you should expect fine beaches along with great surf spots. Actually, in just a few miles south of the border you should be able to find a couple of the worlds best spots depending on your expertise.
Baja & Southern California (generally known as Cali-Baja) together, are the cradle of craft beer.
It has been estimated that currently there are over 80 craft breweries just on Baja alone! If beer is not your thing, Valle the Guadalupe currently hosts the exquisite L.A. Cetto Winery, along with +20 other wineries. It has been called “one of the most exciting wine regions in the world”.
Our clinic is located at Avenida Revolucion, the epicenter of Tijuana’s nightlife. But daytime also has a lot to offer, along the same avenue, you can find coffee shops that might even roast & grind coffee beans at the spot.
But good drinks is just part of what you can expect at Baja. You see, Baja Med cuisine is just the beginning on a gastronomic journey that can lead you to our favorite spots at Ensenada.
It has recently joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and excels on harmonizing food with nature.
At the same Avenida Revolucion, you should be able to find COTUCO, Tijuana Visitors and Conventions Bureau office, where you can obtain maps, tour information and overall recommendations.
When you’re taking your dental vacations in a sunny place like Mexico, you should consider that after a major treatment, is always recommended to avoid direct sun exposure. This is mainly because some antibiotics used in dentistry react adversely if a patient is exposed to direct sunlight.
Busting the myths around dental tourism
In case you haven’t yet got any dental treatment in Mexico, don’t let a negative viewpoint stop you from doing so.We were devoted to find the most common myths around dental tourism in Mexico and frankly, our jaws dropped when we read what is written on some websites.
A lot of them comprised issues that you might find anywhere in the world, but they don’t quite specify where.
Although is true that most of the problems listed will cause a major headache to anyone, making previous research and looking for references of the clinic that you are about to visit, are the best advice that we can give you.
Among the few problems usually listed as cons of dental tourism in Mexico we found:
A foreign dentist does not speak your language. Of all the problems, this is the easiest to detect and resolve. A quick call to the clinic will help you understand if it’s even possible to maintain an English conversation with the staff.You also have to make sure that they understand your specific issue to the core.
A communication problem should never be acceptable when you are looking for dental care outside your country. We can’t deny that globally, dental tourism might not always be ideal, but one of the best features of Mexico ( we can’t say it enough ) is its closeness with the States.
Dental work is done in a short time frame. Leaving aside the fact that some treatments require more than one visit and there is the need for a follow up in some (like Orthodontics), is perfectly acceptable to get a lot of work done in a very short time.
With current technology, we can do wonders. Did you know that our Tijuana clinic has a 3D printer that allows you to have a brand new set of teeth in just a couple of hours? Why should you wait for days while a dental piece is being made, tested and even adjusted when there is already technology that’s able to accelerate the process? We refuse to believe that quickness is a synonym of lack of quality.
Foreign-based dentists don’t comply with American standards. This actually depends on the clinic you may choose. There are many low-income families in Mexico that would end up being affected if everybody tried to reach international quality standards.
This would upset them because the cost would go up for all customers. It is just not a fair business practice. We don’t have to comply with these standards, but we do it anyway. Why? Because there is no better way to assure you that you’re in good hands.
There aren’t any state or federal laws regulating the foreign dentist’s practice. We ignore the extent of this major issue in other countries, but Mexico has at least 16 norms and policies at the federal level.
These norms range from how to properly handle medical case files to epidemiological oversight that any health practitioner must follow.
Besides of this set of norms, there are ethical and bioethical codes that must be followed by the Colegio Nacional De Cirujanos Dentistas (the Mexican College of Dental Surgeons). Even the actual Mexican Constitution and the Secretary of Health (Secretaria de Salud) act as a reference for the medical practice.
Having settled that subject, probably the next thing you want to know is how to be a savvy dental tourist in Tijuana. Well, there are a few important things to consider for your dental vacations:
- First, go thru the basics. Size up reviews, ask around, compare prices. Get to know the treatment and that way you will also know what to expect.
- If you have never crossed the US southern border you must be informed that it’s not allowed to carry meds without a prescription, and they will surely get confiscated at the port of entry.
- If major surgery is going to be performed, is best to corroborate with your clinic how many days of rest are needed.
- We offer a Fly-on program so we can help you from the minute you land at the San Diego airport. We can also assist by pre-booking in our favorite hotels, making sure you have a safe and comfortable stay. This way, your dental vacation in Mexico is hassle-free! Just be aware that most of the other clinics in the area do not offer this service.
Enjoy yourself! Dental tourism in Mexico will not let you down.
