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Paying for dental in Algodones,Mx.


kathydavidb

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The local dentist told me I need 2 crowns for a total cost of $1,800. (Ouch!) I'm in Az. and have decided to give a dentist in Algodones, Mx. a try. I'm quite sure I can get it done for about 1/3 the cost. My question is, what is the best way to pay the dentist there? Is using a charge card safe? Thank you, Dave.

2006 Coachmen Aurora 36ft. Class A motor home. 2009 Honda CRV toad. "Snowbirds" apprx. 6 mos. each year. Travelling to the SW each winter than returning to Wi. each summer. Retired and enjoying our travels along with Buddy the cat.

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Dave-

I have no real experience (take with grain of salt) but have done some research on dental practices in Algodones. It appears that personal check, travelers cheques or US dollars cash is the preferred method by most. Most will file your insurance but it will be reimbursed directly to you. You are still responsible for payment upon services rendered.

I believe most want payment upon completion but if it's a multi-day visit (crowns, root canals, etc..) then most want 50% of the total bill on the first visit with the balance paid upon completion.

 

Again, this is from my research. Others may have actual practical experience to relate.

 

Let me know how it goes. I plan on utilizing this once we fulltime next year.

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cash and carry with Castle

 

http://dentistinalgodonesmexico.com

 

We are heading back for cleaning and check up soon

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We didn't use dentists but for optical folks there were different options depending on who you went to, all liked cash best and gave the best price if paid that way.

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We used Clarissa Salazar, office located off the main drag at the far end (she lives in Yuma, buys supplies in Yuma and travels over daily with water from supermarket in hand) several times in the past few years, and before her dad now retired, who qualified in Indiana, and we paid her via US$'s cheque both times. They don't seem to use credit cards we found. Bought our meds at the purple pharmacy on corner coming back out she said they were the best prices there for what she prescribed us antibiotic wise after extractions, and many crowns etc. Found that the case with our diabetic drugs all but one which was cheaper miraculously in Canada (LOL).

 

For anyone that's not been before, we park overnight or longer in the Casino Carpark about 2 miles away I think, drove down in the morning and pay parked on our right, to walk into Mexico really easily. Be prepared to be hounded when you cross in by spotters that get paid a commission/fee we've been told when you enter in to the main area that guide you to use a specific dentist/optometrist. We didn't like that being a reason to use a dentist, and the high volumes they did compared to the referral we had to whom we use.

 

Wonderful experience and we paid for hubby and I about $3,300 for major work first year (Canada dentists quoted over $30,000 just for me), and to get replacement for broken bottom plate made up I think either $325 or $360 compared to quote of $1900 here in Canada again. Just to give you a bit of an idea.

 

For us it's been a pleasure after getting over the worry our very first visit going there, and asking a million questions about the process and water being used, hygiene issues and even asking to view their tools which were sterile sealed to make sure we were safe (LOL). You know how you meet someone who tells you they know of someone that .......... starts the mind working overtime whether it's too risky or not.

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Cash is king in Los Algodonnes, however, I have seen signs that several dentists take credit cards. We use Dr. Virginia Castro. She takes cash or a check. Dr Castro does good work. A cleaning is $20. Xrays are an additional $20. I will go in next month for a couple of crowns at $200 each. The dentist can do crowns in 2 consecutive days.

 

The only issue we have is an appointment time is not always accurate. We go in at the appointed time and then ask how long a wait, then we go shopping and come back at the delayed time.

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Even 2 crowns for $1,800 isn't bad. I had to have one replace this summer and that was a little over $1,100. How much is a crown in Mexico? May need to plan a trip in a couple of years when these others start wearing out.

$1,800 for 2 crowns in Az. isn't real bad but $300 each crown in Algodones sounds better if the quality is the same. These would be porcelain crowns & I'm checking prices on line for different dentists there. 1st priority is clean, quality work & health concerns. Any recommendations for dentists is appreciated. Dave.

2006 Coachmen Aurora 36ft. Class A motor home. 2009 Honda CRV toad. "Snowbirds" apprx. 6 mos. each year. Travelling to the SW each winter than returning to Wi. each summer. Retired and enjoying our travels along with Buddy the cat.

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Keep in mind that most credit cards (not all) charge a foreign transaction fee of anywhere from 3% - 5%

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Bring your check book.

We've visited three dental practices (four counting the endodontist). One demanded cash as the final payment. One did not take credit cards. Checks and cash work.

With credit cards, we need to notify our bank as to the dates that we will be using the card in a foreign country.

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Dave, a year ago my wife and I went to Sani-Dental for teeth cleaning and a check up ($30 each). Additionally, we just wanted to see and evaluate los Algodones. Our experience at Sani-dental was a good one. We had options of cash of course, and a high fee credit card. We chose cash, and will continue to do so as the overall cheapest way. We will be going back next month, as we are just arriving in Arizona from the frozen North.

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On our last trip to Algodones we planned to get a checkup and have our teeth cleaned. As it turned out, I broke a tooth the day before our appointment. It ended up we both had our teeth cleaned, and each had one cavity filled. I needed a root canal, a post and crown on the broken tooth. The total cost was $600.00. I usually just pay cash but that was a little more than I had with me. I paid the balance on a credit card but they would have gladly taken a check.

 

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Here is a link to several dentists in Los Algodones. I have read that there are upwards of 300 dental offices within a few blocks of the border parking area.

Later,

J

http://www.losalgodones.com/dental_index.htm

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A credit card is the safest way to pay and if the bill is in Mexican funds you will get the best exchange rate.

The only time I would pay in cash is if there was a cash discount. When you pay with a credit card and you are more then fifty miles

from your billing address your liability is limited to 50 dollars if there is an

issue. Good Luck

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I've been researching the different dentists in Algodones. The ceramic crowns vary from $300 to $400 each. I believe Castle Dental was $400 and Sani Dental was $300. I will check out the others that have been used by posters here and then make a decision. I've got 2-4 weeks before we will be down in the Yuma area so have time to do more checking. I was surprised to learn that some of the dentists were members of the ADA. Thank you for all the help, Dave.

2006 Coachmen Aurora 36ft. Class A motor home. 2009 Honda CRV toad. "Snowbirds" apprx. 6 mos. each year. Travelling to the SW each winter than returning to Wi. each summer. Retired and enjoying our travels along with Buddy the cat.

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How long would it take to have a crown completed? Here in the states it can take a week or two from first exam/prep/temporary crown to permanent crown.

Just trying to get an idea on how many days to plan on for first exam/prep to final crown.

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How long would it take to have a crown completed? Here in the states it can take a week or two from first exam/prep/temporary crown to permanent crown.

Just trying to get an idea on how many days to plan on for first exam/prep to final crown.

It depends on the dentist office. Some say they can complete it in one visit(1 day) while others say it takes 2 visits(2days). Most the internet ads for Algodones dentists list their services & estimates of # visits needed. Also they list US phone #'s. I've been doing a lot of on-line research and will call the ones I am interested in. We are currently in Az. and the gentleman next to us had a porcelain crown done there 2 yrs. ago. His dentist did it in one visit. That dentist had been there for 14 yrs. and a friend gave him a good recommendation. His cost was $375. Hope this info. helps, Dave.

2006 Coachmen Aurora 36ft. Class A motor home. 2009 Honda CRV toad. "Snowbirds" apprx. 6 mos. each year. Travelling to the SW each winter than returning to Wi. each summer. Retired and enjoying our travels along with Buddy the cat.

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Not Algodones, but Los Palomas and the issue could be the same. One of my proceedures I had to go back 1 week later.

 

Also it is a good idea to stay in a reasonable distance from where you are getting some proceedures done just in case something goes wrong. I had a couple of crowns put on at Palomas and just over a week later there was a major issue with it. I called the toll free number (into Mexico) and they said come back and they would fix it. I had just got to Albuquerque. I went back about 2 weeks later and got there 1st thing in the morning and was lucky they were able to fix it the same day but I did have to kill about 4 hours before I went back.

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My wife went to Dr. Eva Urena (cross the border and go along that street for two blocks, turn right and go for about two or three blocks. She has her office door in a small courtyard on the left. Three crowns were expected but two teeth needed to be pulled. My wife could see what the dentist saw on a small monitor, and she saw the decayed teeth after they were pulled. The dentist at home apparently did a poor job. Because we did not know that you now need to carry your passport to cross back into the USA we did not go back into Mexico for the next day appointment so we did not pay. Through a call to the dentist office we learned that we could send a check when we got back home. I'm sure that they do not prefer to work this way, but it was very nice that they worked with us. We will go back in two months after the gums have healed from the pulled teeth. I will see this dentist also, but at 61 years old and never had a cavity all I will probably need is teeth cleaning. Lets see,with teeth cleaning at $168 back home in the USA something like $30 sounds very nice. The savings on dental work at Algodones more than pays for the trip to Yuma in the RV.

 

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