Sam Dental Tijuana, a great Mexican dentist.

Finding a Mexico dentist saved him!  For years Mark has had bad teeth, and for years he had been thinking about how he might look with new teeth. They were progressively getting worse and worse each year. They we full of cavities that had been filled with those ugly silver fillings. They were also ground down through the years, and were not much more than stubs. All were stained yellow and some were badly misshapen. Mark had the teeth of a homeless person.

Mark finally grew tired of what he saw in the mirror each morning, and so he decided that he was going to take action and do something about it. He asked around and got some referrals to a reputable dentist there in his home town, South of Oklahoma City. However, his dream of getting a new smile seemed out of reach when the local dentist told him what it would cost. To have all of the mercury/silver fillings taken out, 3 root canals, 4 wisdom teeth extractions, 22 standard porcelain crowns, and six all porcelain crowns for the front teeth, the total dental bill was going to run nearly $40,000.

Mark couldn’t afford to spend that kind of money, but he was not deterred. He had heard that dental work was relatively inexpensive in foreign countries, and so he got on the internet and began to do research about dental tourism Mexico. He found that the most common destination for Americans, who go abroad for dental work, is Mexico dentists in Tijuana. The reason for this is because the dental charges are just a fraction of what they are in the US. Mark got a price to do the same work he wanted done for under $7,000. That was a big difference. Also, he found that Tijuana dentists are easily accessible from the US. One can fly into San Diego, CA rather inexpensively, and transportation to the border is easy. One can either take the Metro system and ride the trolley to the border, or have some one from the Mexico dentist clinic pick them up. Also, hotels and restaurants in Tijuana abound, and at very reasonable rates.

So Mark decided to step out and do it. Everything went smooth. He spent hours in the dental chair, and got everything done in 8 days. He found that Tijuana was a nice place, and he felt very safe and secure with the Mexican dentist. Finally the day came when his mouth was put back together and he could smile once again. The results speak for themselves. Mark looks fantastic and his wife now parades him around as her “movie star” husband. The costs of flying to Mexico were insignificant compared to the savings, and to fix up his smile, it was all money well spent.

Many thousands of people each year are finding out about dental Tourism Mexico, and seek medical and dental care abroad at Mexico dentists. They are motivated by the tremendous savings available on high quality treatment. They are tired of paying out their hard earned money, or going in debt so that some Dr. or dentist can live in a big house and drive a fancy car. Mark found that getting dental care outside the US was certainly the answer for his needs, and he tells everyone he meets that they can reap the same benefit. When he gets to the place that he needs dental implants Mexico, he knows where to go, but hopefully he won’t need to. His new mouth is going to last a very long time.

Mark likes the dentists in Mexico at  Sam Dental Tijuana. They have a website where you can get more info: Tijuana dentist Sam Dental. You can also call directly at: 619-272-3479

Why look to Mexico for dental care.

Sam Dental Tijuana

There are many reasons why a person should think about  Mexican dentists, not just as an alternative source, but as the prime source for dental care.  This article will elaborate the first reason, and list list the others.  In subsequent articles, each subsequent reason will be discussed.  Here is reason number one: 

1.  The savings available at a Mexico dentist. Because of the system in America, the costs in America have gotten out of hand.  The education of a dentist in the USA is out of sight, and a dentist will graduate with a huge debt load of student loans that have to be paid back.  Also, the costs of operation are so very high. Rent, salaries, workman’s comp for employees, taxes,  insurance, and especially malpractice insurance, all combine to make a dental practice have a huge overhead.  Thus, a dentist in the USA must charge more, and indeed feel the should make an even larger profit because of all the costs they have incurred in getting educated and setting up a practice.  However,  Mexico dentists get just as good an education, but do not have to pay but a fraction of the cost for that education.  The Mexican government also subsidizes the education of a dentist, and gets its payback by requiring 2 years of unpaid service of each dentist to provide free care to the needy.  Also, the overhead, the rent, the salaries, etc are all minimal in comparison, and, there is no need for malpractice insurance since the dentists can’t be so easily be sued by some money grubber. The result is, a dentist in Mexico has a much lower overhead, and can still make a good profit charging much less.  The average costs for dental work in places like Tijuana, Mexico, where the vast majority of Americans go to for dental care, is about ¼ of the costs in America. For example, a standard porcelain crown with the core build up in at Tijuana dentists costs $225, where as the same thing in the US will average over $1,000. Or, a root canal costs just $225 in Mexico, compared to $1,150 in the States. When a person in the US has major dental problems, it can easily run up to over $10,000 to get treatment, but if you can imagine being able to get the same thing done for just $2,500, you can understand why so many people feel that it is worth the trip, especialy you have to do big ticket items, like dental implants Mexico is a lot more economical in Tijuana.
2. The quality of Mexico dental care with dentists in Mexico is superior.
3. There is ease of access to Mexico, especially Tijuana.
4. A safe environment is provided at your Tijuana dentist.
5. Dental tourism Mexico. Lodging is inexpensive, the food is great, there are fun things to do, and it makes a great place to just have a little vacation while you are having treatments, this is why dental tourism Mexico has become so popular.

The place the author most highly recommends is Sam Dental in Tijuana.  Check their website at www.GoodSamDental.org  They are both extremely capable as well as very honest. Their integrity is above reproach, and they have the lowest prices you’ll find. They are best Mexico dentist clinic I have found.

Why consider Mexico for dental care, #2

In the previous article it was mentioned that there are many reasons why a person should consider Mexico dentists, not just as an alternative source, but as the prime source for dental care. The first reason was elaborated, but the others were just listed.  Here we will further expound on the reasons you should consider going to a Mexican dentist for dental work. 

1. The savings.  This was the reason that was previously discussed, but it is simply that the costs of dental work in the USA are prohibitive, and a Mexico dentist is very reasonable. One can expect to save at least 75% on most procedures.  When you have been neglecting your teeth for years because you couldn’t afford to fix them, the next thing you know, it can add up to a small fortune in order to save your teeth. Many people have been shocked when their local dentist tells them that the total cost to restore their mouth is over $10,000.  Mexico sounds pretty appealing when you find out that the same procedure there can be done for under $2,500. Sam Dental in Tijuana is an excellent choice.
2. Dental care in Mexico is superior quality. Most people have the misconception that everything in Mexico, or any other foreign country is backward and low tech.  The truth is, especially in Mexico, the Tijuana dentists have just as good an education in dentistry as an American dentist.  The equipment is often state of the art, or at least modern and of good quality. But one factor that most people fail to realize is that practice makes perfect, and because of the extremely high volume of work done, the Mexican dentists along the border, especially in Tijuana, are very good at what they do. Most patients come from out of state, and you don’t go all the way from Huston, or Chicago to Tijuana to just have a few fillings. Most jobs are major dental work, like multiple bridges and crowns. A Tijuana dentist will often prepare more teeth for crowns than a USA in a week dentist will do in a month.  The more you do something, the better you get, and the Mexican dentists have gotten really good.
3. There is ease of access to Mexico, especially Tijuana. Because Tijuana is located just on the other side of the border from San Diego, California, it is very easy to get there. This makes it ideal for dental tourism Mexico. This is true not just because it is so close to the 37 million people of CA, but also to everywhere else in the USA.  For some reason, t it is cheap to get a flight to San Diego Airport.  For example, from Orlando, Florida it only costs $240 round trip.  But what ever one pays for airfare, it is worth it because of the incredible savings on dental work in Mexico. From the airport, public transportation to the border is very easy and inexpensive. One can simply take the city shuttle bus to downtown and then hop the light rail train, the “San Diego Trolley”, which will take you to the Mexican border, all for only $5. Also, many dental clinics are willing to make arrangements to shuttle you straight from the airport all the way to the clinic in Tijuana.
4. A safe environment can be provided. Tijuana has gotten a lot of bad press because of the conflicts between drug cartels.  Although this has been a problem, the truth is that the violence is way down, and the new President of Mexico has really cracked down on the drug trafficking.  Also, when there were problems, the press failed to point out that there has been a lot of drug related violence in all the major cities in the USA, as well as lots of gang violence, and that Tijuana hasn’t been all that much worse. People who get into trouble in Tijuana are the same ones who get into trouble in L.A. or any other major US city, they are the ones who are going out night clubbing, and buying drugs, looking for hookers, and hanging out with the bad elements. The regular person who comes for dental treatments is not anywhere near the trouble zones of the city. Most people who go to the dental clinics remark about how laid back everything is.  Also, most hotels have night watchmen patrolling outside at night, and security is good. There is no reason to feel unsafe in Tijuana when there for dental tourism Mexico.
5. Lodging is inexpensive, the food is great, there are fun things to do, and it makes a great place to just have a little vacation while you are having treatments. Have you ever noticed that in the USA when you see the advertised price of a motel, that you always end up paying a lot more? This is because of all the taxes and surcharges they and on.  For example, they may tell you that the room is $69 a night, but when you pay for it, with taxes etc., you are charged more like $84. In Mexico, the government does take all those fees or taxes on a room. When they tell you a room costs $45, that is all it costs.  There are several 4 star hotels in down town Tijuana that cost under $60 a night.  There are some nice moderate hotels for around $40.  Also, the food is very good.  There is everything from seafood places, to traditional Mexican food, to Italian, to America.  They even have all the junk food places like McDonalds or Wendy’s.  In Tijuana, the beach is not too far, and many people like to get a nice, yet inexpensive, room near the beach.  There are a lot of shops and it is very relaxing.  There are several shuttle buses  that will take you down to Rosarita beach or Ensenada to go and hang out while you are waiting for your lab work to get done.  All in all, Tijuana is a nice place for dental tourism Mexico.  .

 The place the author most highly recommends is Sam Dental in Tijuana.  Check their website at www.GoodSamDental.org  They are both extremely capable as well as very honest. Their integrity is above reproach, and they have the lowest prices you’ll find. Sam Dental in Tijuana is a very good Mexico dentist clinic. If you ever need dental implants Mexico, go to Sam Dental Tijuana

Different materials for dental crowns.

At your dentist office in Mexico, you will find 4 different types of dental crowns: metal, porcelain fused to metal, porcelain fused to ceramic or zirconium, and all porcelain (metal free). 

Of the metal, there are various alloys, but the best is a high quality gold as it is the most malleable and makes a great seal. However, as gold is now expensive, and it is certainly very visible, for cosmetic purposes, it is best to go with one of the porcelain crowns on visible teeth. A gold crown at a Mexico dentist office will run around $500. 

A standard porcelain crown is made of porcelain fused to metal. PTF crowns are the least expensive.  The part of the crown that is cemented up against the teeth is dental quality metal. Porcelain covers the crown, and all you can see from the outside is the white porcelain. This type of crown works best for interior teeth that aren’t visible because near the very edge of the crown, where the porcelain gets thinner, there can often get a little discoloration.  The cost of a PTF crown at your Tijuana dentist in Mexico costs around $225. 

All porcelain, metal free crowns, are the most translucent and thus prettiest crowns. They have no metal, so there is never a dark line at the edge. For cosmetic purposes, they are the best. An all porcelain crown will cost around $370 at your Mexico dentist clinic

The best material for a dental crown is porcelain fused to a zirconium ceramic base.  The zirconium is a white ceramic material that is harder than steel. There is no better material for making dental bridges. As the zirconium is white, there is never a dark line at the edge. It is not as translucent as an all porcelain, but it certainly is stronger and it makes a very nice looking crown. A zirconium crown will cost around $425 at a Mexico dentist clinic in Tijuana.

Dental Tourism during the US recession.

Why not consider Dental Tourism in Mexico during the US recession?

Whether or not Obama health care goes into effect, costs of going to the dentist will still fall upon the individuals to take care of themselves.  There is no government provision for dental care, and even if you have dental insurance, there is maximum a yearly benefit of less than $1500, besides the deductible.  If you need a root canal, including a post & core build up, and a crown, the total cost will run from $1,600 to $2,000. That means your out of pocket could be well more than what the whole procedure costs at a Mexico dentist office.  When you calculate what your annual premiums run, you will have paid over $1000 on that tooth, and your maximum yearly benefit is maxed out! If you have more than one problem, all of it will be out of pocket, and you’ll be paying premium dental costs. So, why bother having dental insurance?  A root canal, post & crown, costs around $500 at my dentist in Tijuana, Sam Dental. In fact the patients report savings of 70% to 80% over what their US dentist wanted to charge. With the recession making things so difficult, we need a new strategy. Going to a dentist in Tijuana, Mexico makes a lot of sense.  My dentist in Mexico is Sam Dental Tijuana. They are good at what they do, have very reasonable prices, and stand behind their work.

The truth about needing a US Passport to cross the border.

dental tourism in Mexico

For some time we have been helping Americans who are interested in dental tourism Mexico, who want to save money and go to a Mexico dentist in Tijuana.  Many times we are asked the question about whether a US Passport is really needed.  To answer that question, one must understand that  the official policy,  and the actual practice, or unofficial policy, are often completely different.  Officially, as of June 1, 2009, the US Customs Officials are supposed to require that all Americans, entering the US at a land crossing, present a US passport book, or passport card.  However, the actual practice has not substantially changed from what it was prior to June 1, and if you simply have your State issued I.D., such as a drivers license and your birth certificate, you will be allowed to re-enter with no problems.  When the government officials try to implement a new policy such as this,  they cannot immediately put it into practice and halt US citizens from coming home.  Your drivers license is still a legitimate and confirmable identification, and your birth certificate proves your citizenship, and the truth is, there is no legitimate reason for them to not allow you into the country.  Can you imagine the scandal and newspaper headlines if a US citizen, who went for dental tourism Mexico,  was denied re-entry, and something happened to them? That would be political suicide, and the politicians and Customs officials know it.  Working with the  Mexico Dentists at Sam Dental in Tijuana,  I can testify that every single week there are patients who cross the border with no passport, and they have never had any problems going home. There has to be literally hundreds of people every single day who cross the border with the same documents as before June 1, and that translates to several thousand every week. One US Customs official that I have known personally for several years confided to me that “there is no way that a US citizen will not be allowed into the country, and the worst case scenario, is that they will have to wait a little and be checked out a little more thoroughly to confirm their identity”. A few days ago, when I crossed and presented my passport, the US Customs official actually thanked me for having it.  I said, “I thought everyone is supposed to have one”, just so I could see how he responded.  He said, “That doesn’t mean that they do, and it makes my job easier when you have it”.  I took that to imply that a large percentage of people don’t have a passport, and that causes him the extra work of a few minutes of having to input their drivers license info into the data base to confirm their identity. When you multiple those few minutes by several hundred times a day, I can see his point.  But the truth still remains, if you need to go to see  Tijuana dentists, or have medical needs, don’t let the lack of a passport slow you down. If there is time to get one, great.  But if not, don’t even give it a second thought. By the way, if you are in need of a Mexico dentist, I want to recommend the Mexican dentist clinic of Sam Dental, as your Tijuana Dentist in Mexico.

Now is the best time to go to Mexico for dental!

Mexico dentistry rocks!

If you have need of dental work, this is a great time to go to a Mexico Dentist, and to plan for dental tourism Mexico.

We are all looking for ways to cut back. When it comes to dental care, we often put things off, but in reality, eventually things need to be taken care of. A lot of people have lost their dental insurance, or never had any. If you need dental work done, and have gone to get a check up anywhere in the USA, you probably were shocked at the prices they quoted.  That is the main reason people go to a dentist in Mexico for dental care, they are hunting for a bargain. 

I know that money is tight, and everyone is going through tough times right now.  But there are some really good deals to be had, that you won’t want to miss. The Mexican Dentists are doing anything they can to attract business.

Right now is an exceptional time to go to a dentist in Tijuana, Mexico for dental care. Since the economy has slowed here, there are fewer people actually going to a dentist in Mexico, just as there are fewer going here. There is even more competition between dentists in Mexico for the fewer amount of patients crossing the border.  Most Mexico Dentists will have their prices posted on their website; however, as with everything in Mexico, there is always room for negotiation.  You can always ask for their best price or a discount.  If it is for minor things, they may not budge too much, but if it is for major work, they will most likely come up with a better price. So, for that tooth you need to have crowned, and the US dentist told you would cost $1000, you can probably get it done, with everything, for under $250 with Tijuana dentists.  The Mexican dentists are hurting too, and they would rather make less profit, and at least keep busy make something.

Just keep in mind one thing, and that is, don’t jump at the lowest price and go to any Tijuana dentists.  Keep in mind that some dentists in Tijuana might not be as honest as they should, and tell you that you need things that you don’t. Both integrity and skill level are important. It is always a good idea to ask for references, and then check them out.  One clue to consider is, you can often tell by the quality of their website, what kind of pride they take in their work. 

 The Tijuana dentist clinic I have found, and that has met all my expectations is Sam Dental in Tijuana. These Mexico dentists are very professional and do a very good job.  Also, I have found that not only did they have good prices, but that they were willing to work with me and give a discount on the work they did.

Mexico Dental Tourism to Tijuana is on the rise.

Arnon after 5 unit bridge

Arnon before Sam Dental

Armon’s smile after placing a 5 unit bridge

Dental costs are on the rise, and with the recession, people can’t afford to fix their teeth, and some are open to alternatives, looking for ways to save money.  There is nothing sadder than having to extract your teeth, just because you couldn’t afford to save them. With just a little help, many folks will go to a Tijuana Dentist for dental care.  They need a little encouragement, and logistical help for transportation and lodging. Some are somewhat trepidatious at first because Mexico is an unknown to them.  Some are fearful because of things they have seen on the evening news cast. Once they realize that Tijuana is safe, they want to go to take advantage of the low prices on dental and medical procedures.  Concerning safety factors, the truth is, you are just as safe in Tijuana as you are in the downtown sector of any major US city.  Like in the US, you have to use common sense, and you’ll be fine. But laying the safety issue aside, the truth of the matter is, going into Mexico can be a wonder experience in many ways. 

 When you go to a Mexican dentist, you get to enjoy the colorful, (and flavorful), Mexican culture and cuisine.  There are so many places to go, and interesting things to see.  There is a wonderful beach that stretches for hundreds of miles, many museums, and lots of places to shop. I don’t know anyone who thinks it is dull in Tijuana.  Then of course, there are many, many wonderful restaurants.  I enjoy everything from the sidewalk taco stands, to the very elegant upscale restaurants.  If you want to try the rustic fare of the common Joe, classical Mexican food, you will find it indeed flavorful and wholesome, and there are “hole in the wall” places everywhere.  But there are many fine dining establishments as well. Tijuana is renowned for seafood, and in downtown there are many such places. So while you are at a Mexico dentist, you might as well enjoy Mexico!

 For dental Tourism Mexico, Tijuana is great. Hotels are in abundance, and by my experience, they tend to be cleaner and more sanitary than many USA hotels.  Plus the prices are much less for the same quality as you find in the States, with the additional bonus that they don’t tack a bunch of taxes or fees on to the total bill. There are nice places downtown, as well as close to the beach.  Playas is close to downtown, yet is on the beach.  Also, Rosarita is a little further South, has great beaches, and very nice hotels.

 What motivates people to go to see Tijuana dentists is not only the great vacation atmosphere, but that medical and dental procedures are very inexpensive. Since, many people have limited or no insurance, this has created a booming industry dental procedures, as well as elective surgeries.  Many medical and dental procedures can be done for just a fraction of the price. In my area of expertise, Mexico dental procedures, there are people who come from all over the US. Most of them come for major work, and it is wonderful to see the transformations in their appearance.  They get dental work done that they had been dreaming about for years, such as dental implants Mexico, but could never afford at home.

The Mexico dentists that I most recommend is Sam Dental  Tijuana Dentists, in TJ, Mexico, located just South of San Diego, CA. They are extremely honest, very capable, have very low prices, and they guarantee their work.

For more information go to: Tijuana dentist in Mexico.  They will also help facilitate your trip by helping with transportation needs, and hotel reservations. See the following link:  Tijuana dental tourism Mexico travel.

Where to stay in Tijuana while at a Mexico dentist.

Dental Tourism in Mexico, Hotel Ticuan

When you go to a Mexico dentist, to get dental work in Tijuana, you will probably be coming from a long distance. I recommend just staying in a hotel in Tijuana when going to your Mexican dentist.

Many people are following the fad of dental tourism, and therefore dental tourism Mexico has become very popular. Most patients come from hundreds, even thousands of miles away.   This comes as no surprise, what with the escalating costs of dentistry in the USA, that people seek Mexico dentists , who charge less than 1/3 the price.  So the patients at Sam Dental Tijuana Dentist, usually look for a hotel on the Mexico side of the border.  This is due to the fact that it takes too long to go through US Customs, and so people want to avoid that hassle and staying in Tijuana during their dental treatments.  There are several hotels that are nice, and in other blogs, I will enumerate them.  But here I just want to talk about one.  La Villa de Zaragoza Hotel is a decent place.  They only charge $43 a night, and give patients from Sam Dental Tijuana dentists a 10% discount. It is an older hotel, and not fancy, but it has new furnishings and carpet, and a good onsite restaurant.  Also, next door is a real nice restaurant called “Ricardo’s”.  The hotel is just a little over 2 blocks from Sam Dental, so one can easily walk over for appointments.  Also, the hotel is just one block off of Revolution Street, which is where all the tourist shops are.  If one would like to take off for a day or two to go to Rosarita Beach, a bus stop is two blocks away, which will only charge you $7.  On the website of Sam Dental Tijuana, there is a page dedicated to hotels and Mexico dentists. Look at Sam Dental Tijuana for dental tourism Mexico.  Also, for the website of the Villa de Zaragoza Hotel, look at: http://www.hotellavilla.biz/  Going to a dentist in Mexico can be fun, or at least the time in between dental appointments in Tijuana, if you have a nice place to stay. So when you look for a Mexico dentist, I recommend Sam Dental Tijuana Mexico dentist, my favorite Tijuana dentist in Mexico. Sam Dental has some of the best dentists in Mexico I know. (There is even one dentist, Dr. Miguel, a specialist in dental implants Mexico.

From the San Diego Airport to the border, step by step.

Sam Diego Trolley to Mexico dentist

Many people decide to go to Mexico for medical or dental treatments at Tijuana dentists, and therefore need to get from the San Diego airport to the border. This step by step guide is designed to help facilitate these patients so that they can take advantage of the low cost public transportation system. 

1. At the Airport. So you are on your way to a Mexico dentist in Tijuana? Follow the steps given below, and you’ll get there in one hour! When you get off your plane, just follow everyone down to the baggage claim area.  In the San Diego airport there are 3 terminals, and at each terminal, just outside the baggage claim area is a sidewalk where the taxis, shuttles, and buses are picking up people. You need to go outside, and look for where the city bus stop is.  There will be a sign that says MTS, (that is short for Metro Transit System). If you have trouble seeing it, just ask at the information desk in the lobby. There is only one MTS bus that comes by, it is the 992. You will recognize the bus as it is white trimmed in red, and has the number 992 in the windshield. Just wait at the stop, and you’ll find that a bus comes by every 15 minutes.  
2. Get on the 992 Bus. Get a $5 bill ready, and when the bus comes by, put the money in the machine by the driver, and he’ll give you an all day pass, good for the whole MTS system.  With that ticket you are all paid up clear to the border. Tell the driver that you want to get off at the “American Plaza” so you can ride the Trolley. The American Plaza is the train station for the light rail system called the San Diego Trolley.  The bus will get there in just 15 minutes, and will drop you off across the street in front of the train platform. 
3. American Plaza train station.  When you get off the bus, just cross the street to the American Plaza. You will see two platforms, one on each side of the tracks.  Make sure you keep to the side that is on your right as you are walking toward it. The train you will be taking will be headed the same way as you are walking as you are crossing the street.
4. Take the “Blue Line”. There are two train lines.  The “Blue Line” and the “Orange Line”.  Do not be confused, but the trains are all the same orange color! The names “Orange Line” or “Blue Line” refer to the different routes they take. The two lines go to very different places. The Blue Line runs between Old Town and San Ysidro/Tijuana.  So, get on the train that says “Blue Line”, “San Ysidro/Tijuana” on the sign on the wind shield. You will take this train all the way to the end of the line, which the Mexican Border.  The ride will take about 45 minutes.  Now you can relax a bit, you are well on your way to see your Mexican dentist.
5. Cross the border. When you step off the trolley, facing the direction that the train had been going, towards the South, you will see a large building a little further on, to your right.  That is the US Customs building. There is a bridge for pedestrians that goes up over the top of part of the roof of Customs, and you will take that bridge to cross over to the other side of the freeway that goes into Mexico. The entryway to the bridge is an opening that you will see people going into. It is located to the left side of the glass doors where people are exiting from Customs. Go on up over the bridge, and when you come down on the other side, turn toward your right, and go on toward Mexico and toward your Tijuana dentists. 
6. You will push through a turnstile and enter Mexico.  There is a long corridor with canvass awnings on one side and a long building.  Ahead you will see the uniformed Customs officials. Go on past the Mexican Customs officials.  They won’t stop you or ask you for anything. Their job is to make Mexican national declare purchases made in the USA so they can collect the tax. After you pass the officials, continue forward through another turnstile.  Out front you will see hundreds of yellow taxis, all eager to take you to your destination at the Mexico dentists.  The charge to take you downtown is only $5 or $6 US dollars.  

*Many people who are going to a dental clinic in Tijuana will have made arrangements to be picked up by someone from the clinic.  The common landmark that they all use is a McDonald’s hamburger stand.  You can see the big yellow “M” sticking up above the wall to your right, just after you pass the customs officials and before you go out through the turnstile.  

If you have plans to go to a certain dental clinic, be careful that the yellow taxi takes you to the right place. Some of them get paid to take you to the wrong Mexico dentist clinic.  A clinic that would pay to steal a patient, will have no scruples about taking advantage of that same patient.  It is best to have made arrangements with the clinic ahead of time to have them pick you up.    

The Tijuana dentist that I recommend is Sam Dental in Tijuana, Mexico, located just South of San Diego, CA.  They are extremely honest, very capable, have very low prices, and they guarantee their work. 

Dental Price list at Sam Dental Tijuana: Tijuana dentist prices

About Sam Dental Tijuana: Before and after pictures of Mexico dentist patients. 

Help to facilitate your trip, transportation needs, and hotel reservations for dental tourism Mexico: Dental tourism in Tijuana  

Frequently Asked Questions about going to a dentist in Mexico: Dentist in Mexico answers to questions. 

About the author: Jim C. has lived in South America for many years, and traveled extensively in Mexico.  He speaks Spanish fluently, and is and expert in cross-cultural communications.  In other words, he knows his way around, and is a good one to give advice about things like information on dental tourism Mexico, or information about  dental implants Mexico.

Thinking of going to Mexico for dental work? Just do it!

Are you thinking of going to a Mexico dentist to take advantage of the low, low prices on dental work? Are you unsure of what to do? Here is a step by step guide to help you. 

(Go to: Tijuana Dentist Sam Dental for information on  good Mexico dentists).

First you need to get online and look for a dentist’s website. Google the words: “Tijuana dentist in Mexico“, or “Mexico dentist work“, or my favorite: “Sam Dental Tijuana”. You will find a number of dental websites of Mexico dentists in Tijuana, Mexico. Tijuana is the best place to go to because it is located just across the border from San Diego, CA, which is the largest US city on the Mexican border, and there is much easier access from the USA and a major airport. Flights into San Diego are much cheaper and more frequent then to El Paso, Texas.

After finding some Mexican dentist websites, next compare the pricing. If they don’t list their prices right up front, beware, you may get a big surprise when you go! So skip over those websites. After you settle on a few Tijuana dentists, then call them. If they can’t communicate adequately with you in English, skip them too. When you talk to the dental clinic they should be able to give you a rough estimate over the phone. If you have gone to your local dentist, you will know what you need done, and you will also find that in Mexico, the prices will be from 65% to 80% less than in the USA. If the person you talk to can’t give you an estimate, skip that clinic. Ask them if they guarantee their work, how long it takes to get the work done, and ask to give details as to how the procedures are done. The person who answers the phone is most probably not the dentist, but if the Mexico dentists have not properly trained them to answer your questions properly, then that should raise a red flag, so go on to the next one.

Make sure they offer good service. Price is not the only consideration. It is not worth it to get poor service, or no guarantee on the work, just to save a few bucks. It is important is to see how much the clinic is willing to help you plan your trip, help you with hotel accommodations and figure out transportation. These things aren’t something you can expect the dentist to pay for, but a good dental clinic will be conscientious to accommodate the patients with good service, and you will need their help if you are coming from afar.

Before you finalize your plans, ask the Mexican dentist for some referrals and for some before and after pictures. A good dentist will have plenty of patients who are excited about the good work the received, and they should be able to give you the contact information of a few of their recent patients. You can tell if the person they give you is really a patient by the way they respond to your questions, and you will be able to get a good feel for how well they were taken care off. If they aren’t ready to give you referrals, and some before and after pictures, then don’t go there.

The next stage is to plan your trip.

1. Time frame: The Mexican dental clinic will have helped you set a date and calculate needed time to do the work. Most work will take from 2 days, up to 8 days to complete, depending to what all you need to have done. It is good to plan one extra day, just in case of any complications. Think of your dental trip as a “dental vacation”. In the USA they drag out the dental work for weeks and even months, but in Mexico, they are used to people dedicating the time to getting the work done quickly, but it will still take the whole amount of time the dentists estimates to do a good job.

2. Travel. Tijuana is a great place for dental tourism Mexico. The main thing is getting to San Diego. Flights to San Diego are inexpensive. For example, round trip ticket from Orlando, Florida to San Diego will run about $240. Most dental clinics in Tijuana can help you to get to the border, and will even send someone to pick you up for a small fee. However, it is easy to get to the border from the Airport via public transportation. Ask at the airport information desk, and they will tell you where to catch the city shuttle bus, MTS 992, that will take you from the airport to downtown. Give the driver of the bus $5 and buy a day pass. Tell him you want to get off at the San Diego Trolley light rail station, (American Plaza). He’ll drop you off in front of the train station, and you will get on the Blue Line to San Ysidro/Tijuana. The train will take you clear to the border at the US Customs. There you will walk into Mexico, and take a taxi for $5, or call your clinic, and they will pick you up. Once in Tijuana, the clinic can help you get around, or you can take a taxi anywhere for just a few bucks.

3. Lodging. Your clinic can tell you where to go and help you make reservations. There are a lot of nice places in Tijuana that are secure, clean, and have reasonable rates. Costs run from $40 to $60, and there are no additional taxes added on. During your time off, when the lab work is being done, before the placing of your crowns or bridges, you will have a few days to check out the sights. Tijuana has a lot great restaurants and interesting shops for the tourists on Revolution Street. Also, there are very nice beaches in Playas, or Rosarita. There are shuttle buses in downtown that will take you there for $7. You can relax on the beach or go eat sea food. Remember, Tijuana, for dental Tourism Mexico, is a very nice place to go.

The dentist that I recommend is Sam Dental in Tijuana, Mexico, located just South of San Diego, CA. For more information go to: Tijuan dentist Sam Dental. They are extremely honest, very capable, have very low prices, and they guarantee their work. They will also help facilitate your trip by helping with transportation needs, and hotel reservations. Also in case you are interested the have a specialist, Dr. Miguel, who does dental implants Mexico.

About the author: Mexicotraveler has lived in South America for many years, and traveled extensively in Mexico. He speaks Spanish fluently, and is and expert in cross-cultural communications. In other words, he knows his way around! Again, google “Sam Dental Tijuana” for more information about the clinic. or go to the website of Tijuana dentist, Mexico dentist Sam Dental.

Wow! I couldn’t believe that dental work in Mexico was so inexpensive!

When I found out about a Mexico dentist, it was the answer I needed. I was having a tooth ache in one tooth, had two teeth that had a big piece broken off, and several cavities. Like a lot of people, I knew I had  a lot of dental problems, but had hesitated to get my teeth fixed because I was afraid of what it might cost.  Finally, with the throbbing pain in my right jaw, I had to do something, So, I went to a local dentist, with a very nicely decorated office. He was very nice, and very professional, and certainly seemed to know his business.  However, after the evaluation, and he told me what it would cost to fix me up, I just about gagged! I was going to need 2 root canals with crowns, a third crown by itself, and 11 cavities filled. The total? $7,350.  That was more money than I had paid for my car! 

I have worked for years in telecommunications as a cable guy.  In other words, I bust my buns as a blue collar worker.  I make pretty good money, but I appreciate the value of it. My dental insurance was a joke.  There was a maximum yearly benefit of only $1,500, and that wasn’t enough to pay to fix even one tooth. I thought, there has to be a better way.  Out of curiosity, I decided to check out what a Mexico dentist might charge.  I didn’t even know if I could find any websites for one, but I did find several.  Some didn’t bother to list any prices, so I skipped over those.  Some of them didn’t have a US phone number, and I was afraid of what a long distance call to Mexico might cost. Some had some young girl of a receptionist who spoke broken English.  But I finally found a Tijuana dentist with someone who answered me in perfect English, and who was able to answer all of my questions. 

The guy from the Mexican dentist  listened to what I had to say, and then told me some good news. To do all the work that my dentist in Denver wanted to charge me nearly $7,500 for,  Mexico dentists would only charge me $1800.  I was elated! To be sure of the quality of the work of the Tijuana dentists, I asked for some referrals, which they were glad to give.  I called them all and everyone had only good things to say about their experience.  Evidently, these dentists do so much work, they have gotten really good at it.  It seems there are thousands and thousands of Americans each year who go to Mexico.  The place I found is in Tijuana, and that seems to be some kind of dental capitol because of the easy access from San Diego and Los Angeles, CA. 

When I planned my trip, the guy from the dentist office in Tijuana helped me figure out where to stay, and how to get to the border from the Airport.  He seemed to really know about setting up dental tourism Mexico.  Hotels were only $40 per night, with tax, and getting around with a taxi only cost 4 or 5 bucks. My expenses were not amounting to too much, and since the dental work itself was so cheap, I decided to do something extra, that I would have never had the money to do back in Denver.  My front teeth have always been so ugly, I decided to have crowns placed on the 4 front teeth on the top and on the bottom.  The truth is, I could have gotten by without it, but I was feeling pretty good about the price.  I don’t mind spending money if I get good value.  The 8 extra crowns cost me only $1800.  In the Denver, I would have paid $900 each. So, I paid a total of $3600, ½ of what my dentist in Denver was originally going to charge me, but instead of only 3 crowns, I got 11.  I am still excited about this! Just think about it, I got almost $15,000 worth of dental work done in Mexico for only $3600. If it ever comes to where I have to replace teeth, I will go to Tijuana for dental implants Mexico, and really save a ton.

Many people have asked me about the dangers of going for dental tourism Mexico. I admit, I was a little nervous about going to Tijuana because you here a lot of things on the news, but the idea of saving so much money gave me the motivation. However, once I got there, it was a piece of cake.  I loved it there! I found this to be quite calm, and didn’t feel at all intimidated.  As a cable dude, I have had to work in East Denver in the “bad part of town”, doing disconnects and repossessing people’s cable boxes when they didn’t pay their bill.   There have been a few times I had to call the police in order to do my job because people were threatening me.  I have been inside crack houses, and filthy apartment complexes, and seen prostitutes openly soliciting people, and drug dealers and punks carrying guns.  Believe me when I say Tijuana, at least in the business area where the dental clinics are, is harmless by comparison. And I know that Denver is nothing compared to parts of L.A. or Chicago, or NYC.  I honestly have not seen any of the so called violence in Tijuana.  I am sure stuff happens, but stuff happens everywhere else too. I think if you go out looking for trouble you will find it, but if you behave yourself and go where respectable people go you’ll be fine. 

To sum this up, I wanted to get this out there to help others to know that there is a real and viable alternative available for dental work. It may not make sense for minor things, but if all you need is one root canal and crown, you will save $1500, and that is a whole lot more than my entire trip cost me. No wonder dental tourism Mexico has become such a growing craze! 

The Mexico dentists that I recommend is Sam Dental in Tijuana, Mexico, located just South of San Diego, CA. For more information go to: Tijuana dentist Sam Dental.  They are extremely honest, very capable, have very low prices, and they guarantee their work. The will also help facilitate your trip by helping with transportation needs, and hotel reservations.

About the author: Jim C. has lived in South America for many years, and traveled extensively in Mexico. He speaks Spanish fluently, and is and expert in cross-cultural communications. In other words, he knows his way around and a good one to give advice on dentists in Mexico!