Considering Mexico for Dental Work? Know the Risks and Realities

Oral health is an undeniable part of everyone's life, irrespective of age. Postponing dental care can lead to complications that require complex fixes. However, dental treatment in the States is quite expensive. While dental insurance covers some preventive and simple procedures, not everyone can access it. For instance, teeth loss may seem to be a simple problem. However, it can ruin your life quality, making chewing and speaking difficult. Dentures can be an affordable solution for teeth loss within budget. However, this temporary solution requires frequent refitting and is associated with slippage, which can be annoying. 

While dental implants offer a lifetime solution, they will cost you a fortune in the States.  A single teeth implant in the States costs you $5,500. Suppose you have multiple fallen teeth; you will need multiple teeth implants or full mouth restoration. The costs for full mouth restoration in the States fall anywhere between $30,000 and $90,000. This is quite high if you are uninsured and underinsured. Even if you are efficiently insured, many dental insurance claims to offer implants only when they are medically necessary. Do you believe that many Americans are postponing their oral health care because of high dental bills? You don’t have to be one among them when you get a smart escape! Dental work in Mexico can be your life changer by offering a myriad of solutions. In the present case of finding permanent fixes for tooth loss, dental implants in Mexico will save you up to 80% on dental bills. Are you surprised? Let’s decode the details for you. 

A single Mexican tooth implant costs around $1,500. Besides, the Mexican full-mouth restoration costs you a maximum of $14,000, which is half the Stateside price. Plus, you get price inclusions on the treatment-associated bills in Mexico. The other advantages, like quality dentistry at top-notch clinics and the convenience of travel, make Mexican dental care an undeniable option. However, traveling abroad for dental work can be tough when you are unaware of possible issues. Safety is one of the primary concerns when you consider dental treatment in Mexico. If you are wondering, “Is going to Mexico for dental work safe?” we’ve covered it for you. Here, we listed safety along with a few other concerns associated with dental travel Mexico. At Envoy Health, we make your treatment stress-free by providing you with the real care you can take. Let’s begin understanding the safety issues.

Safety Concerns Associated With Dental Work in Mexico 

Regarding treatment, the safety of dental work in Mexico relies on choosing a qualified and experienced dental professional. Skilled dentists stay updated on the latest trends in dentistry. Further, choosing the reputed dental clinics in Mexico ensures you will have a safe treatment experience. Professionals here in Mexico utilize cutting-edge technology while maintaining higher standards of hygiene. Furthermore, the chances of treatment going wrong are quite less when you approach top clinics. They follow global regulations for sterilization and adopt standard protocols for treatment. More importantly, they don’t rely on the local third-party services for diagnostic tests. Efficient diagnosis allows dentists to understand your oral health concerns. The probability of a wrong diagnosis is quite low when the clinics are well-equipped and skilled professionals perform the diagnostic tests. So, the choice of a Mexican dental clinic deals with the safety of treatment. 

Besides location safety is the other crucial concern for dental tourists. Not all cities in Mexico are equally safe. Mexican states like Jalisco and Guanajuato are a few examples of reportedly higher crime. The border cities like Algodones and Tijuana are relatively safe and culturally similar to the US. Further, cities like Playa del Carmen and Cancun are famous tourist spots. There can be some extent of petty crimes like thefts or food spiking, which can happen anywhere in the world, even in the US. While we recommend you watch out for the city’s safety index, you also need to be vigilant of your surroundings. Refraining from venturing around during the night time. You may have a companion to accompany you on the dental trip to Mexico. Following basic safety measures like you do in your home country ensures you have a safer dental journey. Now, let’s learn about the risks associated with finding the best town in Mexico for dental work.

Finding the Right City for Dental Work in Mexico

It is indeed true that dental work in Mexico is a proximal choice for many Americans. However, choosing the best city in Mexico for dental work can be a stressful job. While many Mexican cities offer reasonable prices for dental work, the choice should be entirely personal. Choosing the best place in Mexico for dental work relies on finding a convenient yet affordable option. You will have to add the city’s safety index to the criteria you consider for the city’s choice. For instance, the US-Mexican border cities like Los Algodones or Tijuana are safe and easy-to-reach cities. While these cities offer quality dental care, you can't expect a refreshing vacation out of this choice. However, dental tourism in Algodones is limited to personal healthcare and purchases like low-cost prescription medicines. This city is ideal if you live near the border. Reaching here is super convenient as you can drive through the border for one-day dental work. However, this is different for cities like Cancun, or Playa del Carmen. These Mexican beach resort cities offer you a memorable vacation for your entire family. Besides, some reputed dental clinics here also offer pediatric dental care. So you can plan a family dental trip with a refreshing vacation. However, this might not be an ideal choice if you are looking to drive. Cities like Cancun or Playa del Carmen are easy to reach by flights.  More importantly, we recommend you stay aware of the recent safety issues of the city while you make a choice.           

Finding the Right Mexican Dentist

Mexican dentistry indeed offers roughly the same amount of care as a dentist in the States. However, trusting a random abroad provider can lead to gruesome consequences. If you are wondering, “Does Mexico have good dentists?” the answer is Yes! Mexico has many qualified and experienced dentists associated with trusted dental clinics in Mexico. While their qualification speaks of their expertise, their successful track record showcases their dedication. Some have over 30 years of experience in dentistry and are members of professional dentistry organizations. 

However, some underqualified professionals claim fake expertise. Some dentists showcase too low prices with hidden costs, which may lead to surprise expenses on the final dental bills. While this can happen anywhere in the world, even in the States, performing meticulous research before making a decision is important. One way is to keep an eye on the price range. Being a dental tourist, it's crucial to understand the price range when considering treatment abroad. While the Mexico dental work prices are quite affordable, they are neither too low nor too high. The reason for cheap dental work in Mexico is the country’s low cost of living.^[1] Too low prices for dental work in Mexico are an obvious indicator of compromised quality or non-transparency of the billing system. Reaching out to trustworthy dental professionals can be your solution for this. However, finding a good dentist in Mexico can be a stressful task in a foreign land. While our platform provides you access to completely vet dental professionals, you can also rely on referrals from friends and colleagues. Now, let’s shift focus to other concerns of dental work in Mexico. 

Crossing the US-Mexico Border

Because of its proximity, Mexico is a favorite choice for Americans seeking affordable dental work. Although the entry-exit procedures to Mexico are simple, failing to carry some essential documents can lead to unnecessary action by the Mexican authorities. Dental tourists need to know that carrying a visa is not a mandatory provision. However, for getting dental work done in Mexico, you need the following:^[2]

• A valid passport card or book with blank pages for stamp
• Temporary vehicle import permit if you are driving your US-registered vehicle
• Documents of automobile registration
• Papers related to dental treatment provided by the Mexican dental clinic 

In addition, you need to complete the FMMD procedure at the border entry port or airport. All you need to do for an FMMD procedure is to confirm your specific length of stay in Mexico. Usually, immigration checkpoints are common in many popular tourist areas in Mexico. Ensure that you carry the entry permit during your stay to avoid confiscation by the authorities.^[3]

Making Payments During Your Dental Trip to Mexico

Even when you make all the travel arrangements beforehand, paying bills in Mexico can be a problem. Indeed, many ask us, “How do I pay for dental work in Mexico?” We answer this here for you. While Mexican pesos are the official Mexican currency, many dental clinics accept US dollars, too. It's worth mentioning that many top dental clinics are oriented toward Mexico dental tourism. They make payment features easier and more comfortable for dental tourists. You can also pay your Mexico dental prices using credit or debit cards, and personal or traveler cheques. However, a dental trip doesn’t end with treatment bills. Other expenses can include food at local restaurants and shopping malls. While reputed shopping malls accept US dollars, you should carry some Mexican pesos. We recommend you exchange currency at banks and ATMs for good exchange value. Concerning safety issues, petty thefts are quite common in tourist places in Mexico. You should carry only limited cash and refrain from wearing flashy outfits. 

It's indeed true that you can expect quality treatment at top Mexican dental clinics within budget. However, considering Mexico for dental work offers more than you expect. This choice is convenient with the flexibility of appointments at top-rated dentists. And a blend of treatment with a refreshing vacation too! What are you still looking for? Sign up with Envoy Health! Reach out to the top dentists and experience world-class dental care.  

References

1. Cost Of Living In the United States Compared To Mexico
2. Mexico International Travel Information
3. Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border by Land