My son drove me to Mexico today for a tooth extraction - $40 US

[Bobbieo]

Algodones, BC seems to have become the dental clinic for the SW (even beyond) as Dr. told me there were about 400 dentists in town. The lady before me at the office had come down from Minnesota for four days specifically to see Dr. Cortes.

The town was packed with Christmas shoppers and winter visitors who mostly park at the border and walk across. It only took us an hour to get back to the US by car which was not bad timing at all and the line was slowed down by a dozen or more Mexican military armed with assault rifles stopping cars obviously looking for a person, persons, drugs and weapons. We had been checked out for weapons by US Customs before we crossed the border. We did not fit the profile in Mexico so we were not stopped.

This was a first time scenario, for me, and made me realize how times have changed over the past few years in our little border community. That was a scary scene! Happy there were no incidents. But, I’m certain it is SOP in Juarez and Tijuana.

[LakeSamish706]

1. Yep, It is also the Canadian Snow Birds that go there enmase to get dental work done. n/t

[prairierose]

2. Bobbio, I am glad to know about this... I am headed to Algodones

in a couple of weeks. I will pay attention. Did you drive into Algodones?

[democrank]

3. Hang in there, Bobbieo.

~PEACE~

[virgogal]

4. I paid $390.00 a year ago for 2 extractions and the teeth were

loose anyway. What a ripoff.

[LakeSamish706]

5. From a friend: Apparently there are up to 2000 dentists in Algodones...

during the high season and 4 permanent dentists year around. They do an amazing business there.

Be prepared for lineups big time....

[Noseyaboutpollution]

6. Is kind of scary

Going to Mexico for dental work is pretty hardcore. Isn't there a Simpsons episode about this?

[Lisa0825]

8. Dentists in Mexico are well trained and professional.

Many have even trained in the US. Don't believe everything you hear on the Simpsons. Dental and medical care in Mexico is actually quite good in the cities, especially cities that cater to medical tourism.

[nilram]

12. What! You can't believe everything you hear on the Simpson's?!? What is TV coming to!

[slampoet]

10. Don't be an ugly American, spreading ignorance like it is something to be proud of.

Finding a USA-trained doctor is EASY in any country.


Why do you think there are all those student visas for people to come here?


My mother in law goes to Mexico all the time and her dentist was trained at the University of Michigan and finished in the top ten of his class!!

Maybe you would feel a lot less scared about the world is you didn't base your information Fox television shows.



PS- Have any guess as to where a lot of that Silver used in dental fillings comes from? It comes from Tasco, in Mexico.

[a la izquierda]

7. $30 to see a good GI guy...

in Guadalajara. Amazing

[Bobbieo]

9. I have an e-mail address for Dr, Jorge Cortes if anyone is interested..

He is low profile with only 2 dental chairs BUT he is very, very gentle and has a very good rep. That tooth today was a real bummer, too.

[a la izquierda]

13. I have insurance for now, but thanks...

one of the few perks of being a grad student :) Actually, I was just in the dentist today. Might need two root canals to relieve the pain in my teeth from large sinuses...ugh.

[demosincebirth]

11. thanks for the info. I've got a wisdon tooth that has to be...

extracted...also have to have a root canel. My dentist's fee is close to 2K. What a rip-off

[mrbarber]

14. My fiancee is spending close to $700.00 total when it's all said and done.

Ain't this country grand?