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Author
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Topic: The Dentist Has No Clothes
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starstruck
Member Posts: 596
From: Hays
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted July 30, 2010 12:39 PM
 
Well it wouldn't be Wimberley without me whining about something. But listen to what happened to me on my summer vacation.
I went to Mexico and decided to have some dental work done while I was there.
How much did it cost you wonder? Well I had a written estimate from my local dentist. Extraction in Wimberley, $135 each. Extraction in Mexico, $16.50 each. I had four pulled so you do the math.
Now the bridge work to fill in the gap. Price in Texas, $1150. Price in Mexico $277.
The quality is great and the savings more than paid for the trip and my lodging. How on earth can US dentists be so much more expensive?
Plus in Mexico you spend all your time with the dentist not some assistant. Just for giggles I pulled up "dental business models" on google. That gave me a pretty clear picture of how things are run. Dentistry in the US has become a business and not a practice. The last time I went to a US dentist (and it was the last time) people were trying to sell me stuff while I was in the chair. Talk about a captive sales audience.
Anyhow I'm a happy gringo now with a boca full of teeth and wallet full of pesos so my advice is head south for the drill work.
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Miss Chris
Member Posts: 298
From: Wimberley, Texas
Registered: Nov 2006
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posted July 30, 2010 03:34 PM
You are so right on this subject and for sending out the warning...especially if you think you are getting a fair shake because you have dental insurance.
I had dental insurance (till now...I dropped it) and what a rip off it was. The dentist on the insurance plan sends you off to a "specialist" within their little company. The "specialist" can charge you anything they want and the insurance company won't pay it. This is work that is not "specialist" work and the "specialists" are in name only. Just a way to rip people off. I got disgusted with the whole scam and returned to my favorite dentist who gives me a hefty cash discount and is extremely honest.
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cgm
Member Posts: 384
From: Wimberley
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted July 30, 2010 04:42 PM
Did you have the work done in one of the border towns? You're a brave one, if so.
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cgm
Member Posts: 384
From: Wimberley
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted July 30, 2010 04:42 PM
Did you have the work done in one of the border towns? You're a brave one, if so.
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starstruck
Member Posts: 596
From: Hays
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted July 30, 2010 06:31 PM
Actually it was in the interior, the border folks are a little more expensive. But I spoke with a dentist in N. Laredo and he had his degree from he U. of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Don't be dismissive of Mexican dentists just ask around and let good sense be your guide. An extraction on the border was $20 and the bridge work was $320 so not all that much more than down south.
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Zac
Member Posts: 75
From:
Registered: Feb 2008
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posted July 31, 2010 02:07 PM
Dentists in the border towns on the US side would charge US prices in the same lively social environment as those south of the border.And then there's Arizona. I have a friend whose children are 1/8 Hispanic (one really stunning grandmother from a South American country, not Mexico) and they have inherited some of the good looks of those forebears. Unfortunately, this means they'd have been stopped under suspicion of brown-skinnedness in that state. Same topic, don't worry. Just saying, they'd not make it to a dentist north or south of the border without producing documents those of us who may have lighter skin don't have to worry about. Dang. Going to the dentist is hard enough as it is.
 A small side road here. Good to remember there are problems on both sides, I thought.
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cgm
Member Posts: 384
From: Wimberley
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted July 31, 2010 04:20 PM
I know people who have had extensive dental work in Mx at considerable savings. But, what happens if there's a problem ? I doubt any local dentist would be willing to help. Would you have to return to the dentist in Mx?
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kayh
Member Posts: 71
From: Wimberley Texas USA
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted July 31, 2010 11:41 PM
Glad all went well for you getting your dental work done, and I don't disagree with your issues with the expense here in the U.S....However while reading some of the responses some thoughts came to mind.
One...IF you were to develope a problem, say...an infection or worse, there isn't an American dentist who values their license who will touch you....so back to Mexico you will go. So much for the "savings".
If Mexico is so great.....WHY does America have such a problem with people leaving that country in droves, risking their lives to do so, to come to America?
Our own country is turning it's back on Arizona because THEY are actually following the law. It is incorrect that Americans do not want folks from Mexico moving here. IT IS correct that most do NOT want them doing so ILLEGALLY. (There isn't ANY country on this earth where you or I could just pack a back pack and move to their country without doing so legally so WHY is it OK to do so here???) It is agaisnt the LAW of this land to sneak into this country or any other country for that matter, yet that is what is happening in the US everyday and we shoudl all be questioning why our government leaders are allowing it. WHAT are they getting out of it...because we all know they are getting something out of turning their backs and looking the other way. IF you want to come here and live and make a living here, most American's are all for it, however ONLY when it's done legally. THEN a SOCIAL SECURITY CARD is dispensed and TAXES are taken out of their checks just as they are for you and I.
Do you not find it WRONG that you can't go into an ER in this country without paying a co-pay and showing proof of insurance YET...someone "without those ever important papers" can do so....NOT be turned down for medical treatment, by law...and walk out the door and away from the bill? It happens everyday...In fact it happens in San Marcos. I had to take my husband there due to an injury and the desk administrator was SHOCKED that I produced an insurance card and she made sure they got their co-pay BEFORE he was even seen. Yet I over heard her telling a hispanic man who spoke very little English NOT to worry about it when he said he had no money.
Also.......don't forget what's happening on our borders with Mexico. The dangers that are there. You are lucky all went safely for you. I have a friend who had a lap-band procedure done IN MEXICO because her insurance co. wouldn't cover it here in the U.S. She almost died NOT because of the lap-band but because of infection/complications and no surgeon qualified to do this surgery would touch her. Finally the ER HAD TO....because of their oath.
What NEEDS to happen is WE as Americans need to hold our leaders responsible for the mess that has become this country to include the fact that American's can't afford insurance, dental procedures, medical care, or prescriptions so while California claims to be BROKE their government officials are making anywhere from 400,000.00 to 800,000.00 A YEAR...while Americans seek these things in Mexico where it can absolutely mean the end of your life. Either because someone who isnt' qualified does the work OR....because of the dangers on the border or because no American doctor will risk their med. license to treat a complication. Again, I'm happy this worked out for you.....but it's luck that it did.
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starstruck
Member Posts: 596
From: Hays
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted August 01, 2010 07:20 AM
It wasn't luck, it was the skill of my Mexican dentist.
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Daniel
Member Posts: 52
From: Wimberly
Registered: May 2005
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posted August 01, 2010 09:09 AM
Whoa, kayh. You sure turned this into a soapbox for your rant against illegal immigrants. Don't look now, but you've revealed some big bias. What is your ancestry? Were all your forebears born in this country? Unless you are native American, 100% and there probably isn't anyone left like that - your people were in the same "boat" once. A little more civility would be nice to see.Anyhow, wasn't this all about teeth? WTF was all that SHOUTING about? I think my eyes hurt.
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Tbaseflug
Member Posts: 193
From: Wimberley, TX, USA
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted August 01, 2010 11:21 AM
Dentures, Bridges, Extractions (for the most part) - not a problem - but it is VERY difficult to validate and certify that the dentist that you are seeing actually obtained a degree from the University they proclaim. Additionally, laws and guidelines regarding sterilization and certification are not as established and/or enforceable as they are in the states. I cannot think of any dentist that I have seen (and I have literally seen dozens upon dozens) - would refuse service to a patient based upon the work done by another - in the states or outside of it. They are here to help - and if you are in pain, suffering or need correction - any dentiat here in teh states who would refuse such service - based upon the fact that you sought work elsewhere prior - well, in the least, should not be patronized but at the best should be discredited and censored for work here or anywhere. Yes, prices are high here in the states - my latest $10k bill at a local Wimberley dentist will attest to that - but would never let someone from another country cut or incise me - there is ZERO legal or personal recourse - and travel expenditures and follow-up care will often be offset. There are plenty of cost affordable solutions here in the states - sure, still more than mexico, even at the cheapest - but my health is more important than a few dollars I may otherwise save.
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Daniel
Member Posts: 52
From: Wimberly
Registered: May 2005
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posted August 01, 2010 12:39 PM
Agree with you completely tbase about no reputable dentist refusing to help a patient with a dangerous infection, etc.One thing I'm not sure has been considered here - cost is relative. If you don't have the bucks to make a choice, some dental work is better than none at all. And in this case, it looks like the dental work was well done, satisfied the patient and was affordable. I have to say 10K sounds like a lot to me. That should probably be mostly all new teeth, right? I remember when it was, not that long ago, either. Until you walk in the shoes of someone who is strapped for money, you can't really know what that's like. It's nice that you can use a conveniently local, overpriced dentist but even 10K can be all the money in the world and more decent, hardworking people than you might think don't have that sitting in a bank account to pay the dentist. Or at all. This shouldn't be even an issue. Teeth are a part of the body and someday maybe they will be included in overall health care. A step at a time. Here's hoping.
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Tbaseflug
Member Posts: 193
From: Wimberley, TX, USA
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted August 01, 2010 01:09 PM
Trust me - 10k is no walk in the park for me either - but was in a car accident, so had my back against the wall - amazing when three crowns alone cost $3k, but agree - as long as the patient is happy with the results, and their are no resulting complications as a direct result of the work involved, etc. - then take your money where you feel it best spent - but take it from someone who seems the inside out on medical billing and charges - unless there is an outright revolution - they will go nowhere but up here in this country. You have to bear at the forefront, it is a business , like any other - with aa profit to be had and nothing at cost.[This message has been edited by Tbaseflug (edited August 01, 2010).]
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XIIthMan
Member Posts: 309
From: Wimberley, TX
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted August 01, 2010 07:12 PM
Kay, take a deep breath, have a glass of wine, and realize this is VisitWimberley, not Rush Limbaugh show. Tangent often?
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starstruck
Member Posts: 596
From: Hays
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted August 03, 2010 08:29 AM
Without comment.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/02/AR2010080203882.html?hpid=artslot
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