La Ventana (or other location) Dental tourism

Syotw · Since 28 Apr 2018 9 Posts Kook

Hi All,
I'm in need of quite a bit of dental work. I need several fillings and maybe a root canal. My dental insurance isn't covering any more work this year so I need to pay it all out of pocket. I'm thinking at this point it's going to be cheaper to do some dental tourism.
Have any of you found any dentists at any kiting locations like la ventana that you trust or would recommend?
I'm open to any location but preferably one that isn't too expensive to fly to, and it doesn't have to be a kiting destination.
Thanks!

Nak · Tue Mar 05, 19 12:03 am

https://askthedentist.com/is-it-safe-to-get-dental-work-done-outside-of-the-us/

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/opinion/workers-exploited-by-dental-tourism-in-mx/

wylieflyote · Tue Mar 05, 19 8:21 am

We've been coming to Mexico (Mainland, & La Paz) for over 30 years. On most visits we get our annual teeth cleaning. My wife has had several crowns.
All I can say is do a lot of research. Find (on Facebook Talk Baja, or FF La Ventana) the reviews from other gringos. Get the best dentist you can hunt down. Simply walking to the nearest "dentista" sign won't be good. Wife has had a few crowns fall out and not last long.
Myself.... I'll get a cleaning but for the cosmetic stuff like crowns, I stick with Tacoma.
I broke a tooth on a pebble in my frijoles last year and has an "amalgum" crown made. As soon as my Tacoma dentist saw it he replaced it with a high-quality titanium crown.

But yeah.... The cost is maybe %10 what you'll get in Oregon. Last week my wife had a molar extraction here near Manzanillo MX.... $36USD

Slappysan · Since 13 Jun 2012 309 Posts Obsessed

I don't think I would get dentistry done in LV. You could do LB instead and try and find something there and if you can't the drive in to SJD or Cabo is doable.

Personally I'd consider Thailand if you have the extra time.

On that note I'm in the middle of having an implant done and I priced it out in Thailand and the cost savings didn't justify the added uncertainty. Implants are more involved though.

butch simones · Since 30 Sep 2016 59 Posts N.H.

Kiting in South Padre island this time of year is great . Progresso , Mexico has great inexpensive dentist . My wife and I and our friends have been going for several years now and are very happy . Brownsville or Harlingen Texas are very cheap flights .

Amphibian · Since 06 Mar 2019 1 Posts New Member

I saw a sign for dental tourism waking around Cabarete today.
Odd coincidence.
See:
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=dental+tourism+cabarete

Local expats tell me that dental care here is very good.

Also see
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=kitesurfing+cabarete

Ho-Toe · Wed Mar 06, 19 5:49 pm **Costa Rica**

A pillar of my local community went to Costa Rica for dental implants. He got the studs/mounts/posts/whatever-you-call-'em last year, and is returning this year for the crowns. He had a satisfactory experience and it cost but a fraction of the domestic price...

pollywog · Since 07 Aug 2009 291 Posts Obsessed

Hum... I’ve never considered this but the price of one crown is certainly the price of a LV vacation (actually more).

wylieflyote · Thu Mar 07, 19 7:06 am

There is a Facebook group called "Talk Baja" where the subject of dentists in La Paz is discussed at length. I believe there is high-quality dentistry available. Obviously, you'd need to drive 40 minutes for your appointment as there's nothing in LV

moondog · Thu Mar 07, 19 9:15 am

I get my annual cleaning in LaPaz every year. Got a crown this year with mediocre results. My wife has had 6 crowns with good success. My crown was $316 compared to my $1200 crown in White Salmon. The dentist usually sees a little crack in molars and always recommends a crown which is a waste of time unless you are having pain or sensitivity. I'm still having sensitivity after my new crown but it could be the tooth next to it. Due diligence is very important down here. I will to do follow up now in WS.

moondog · Thu Mar 07, 19 9:20 am

By the way Kip , I love San Carlos Sonora and the RV park you recommended . We sold our house in LV and are going to spend the rest of the season kiting on the west beach. It blows 4-5 days week here and 6 kites instead of 300 in LV. ONLY 6 hours to Tucson!

wylieflyote · Fri Mar 08, 19 12:24 pm

Yes, These are some of the nicest people I've ever met kiteboarding anywhere. 3 years ago I stopped in as a complete and total stranger with my Liquid Force Foil Fish. I was having maybe a few of those 40' straight-line success rides.... and every time I'd get one, these complete strangers were screaming "ANDALE!!! CRISTOBAL!! BRAVO!!!!"
Heading back in a few weeks.
Kip

moondog · Fri Mar 08, 19 1:45 pm

That photo was taken from the exact condo we are staying in. Had my first foil session today, the water was 5degrees cooler than LV.

Freeride Kiter · Fri Mar 08, 19 8:29 pm **Dentist in La Paz**

Good dentists in La Paz - easy, good and affordable.

MD - now you know why I kite in Loreto on my way up and down Baja. Same winds as LV and as you are getting straight across Cortez. No kites that I've seen the last 4 years.

I'm headed your way in a few weeks with the moto and foil.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 607 Posts Addicted

Any waves or just flat & foil?

wylieflyote · Sat Mar 09, 19 10:51 am

Nak · Sat Mar 09, 19 6:34 pm

I don't know; it looks awfully crowded. And having a choice between flat water and waves isn't necessarily good. You might just lock up. "I'll hit the waves! No, I'll ride the butter; no the waves; no the butter. etc." You could starve to death just trying to decide.