Re: Trip Report - Algodones Dentistry
- From: Mike Baxter <mgb***@comcast.net>
- Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:59:18 -0700
After reading this, I'm sooooooo happy that Tracy works for a
Endodontist. I pretty much cover the cost of supplies these days.
Mike Baxter
On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:08:00 -0700, The Real Bev
<bashley101+usenet@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Bottom line: DO IT!.
*THE GOOD*
The natives are friendly. Most speak English, and if they don't there's
somebody nearby who does.
The dentists are willing to work for 4 hours or more at a sitting and
will shoot you sufficiently full of lidocaine that you're numb the
entire time AND MORE. I had possibly 9 (I didn't count and don't have a
detailed bill yet) crowns and three fillings. Total chair time 16 hours
spread over 6 days. $2700. Husband has implants, crowns, a root canal,
a bridge and a partial. BIL had crowns, root canals and partials.
Their work required much less chair time than mine. Implant post
insertion and attached teeth still to go in 6 months.
They use bottled water for drinking/dental purposes, but the sinks use
whatever comes out of the tap. Some website said Algodones used Yuma
city water, but the office didn't confirm that.
They had higher-tech equipment (digital x-rays) than the last local
dentist I went to.
If you need a specialist, (s)he will come to YOU, and possibly while you
wait.
Prescription stuff IS cheaper and the big pharmacy is only a few short
blocks from the border. The pet pharmacy is a little further.
August means no crowds. Free parking (when that gets filled up there's
a huge $5/day lot). Short or no pedestrian line to cross the border
back into the US. Don't even think of driving across the border, the
parking probably won't be any closer to where you want to go and you
risk whatever you risk by driving across the border -- not the least
being a LOOOOOOONG wait even in August.
We found an ordinary motel with AC, 2 double beds, TV (HBO too),
microwave, refrigerator and a small pool for $40/night. RegaLodge on
4th Avenue. The Del Sol supermarket is a few blocks away.
I know nothing about silver jewelry prices (they price by weight,
apparently), but the stuff sold by the street vendors is attractive. I
bought a ring for $20.
Lots of opticians too. Even with my nasty prescription, I got my
glasses in an hour. Cheapest: $20 for single-vision or bifocals plus
$10 for tint and $10 for exam. My right lens was better than the one
I'm wearing. The left one wasn't, so the guy made another left one in
my old prescription. An acceptable outcome. If you don't like the
frames this shop has, go to the next. There are hundreds.
*THE BAD*
Had I accepted the offer of a private tour of the Yuma Sewage Treatment
Plant it would have been the highlight of the trip. There is nothing to
do in Yuma that you can't do in the town you left because there was
nothing to do there. Plan on bringing your entertainment with you
unless you're an alcoholic.
Air conditioning is essential. Check out the high and low temperatures
and plan accordingly.
Food quality was not a high priority ("soft" is prime), but avoid the
Jack-in-the-Box breakfast bowl.
If you go in a group, it's probably wise for everybody to go to a
different dentist. There were only a few other patients while we were
there, but the three of us did a lot of waiting while the two dentists
worked on us. I'd recommend bringing some kind of cushion -- my
tailbone is really painful.
I don't know how you choose a dentist. My SIL used one recommended by
someone she knew. I picked ours because they had the most
professional-looking webpage, handled all the procedures we needed, and
responded promptly and in excellent English to my emailed questions.
My tongue is still sore so I can't really tell how the crowns feel, but
they seem a little rough with some unexpected edges. If they don't
disappear with time and usage I'll have the guy smooth them down when we
go back in 6 months.
*THE UGLY*
Yuma. It's not actually ugly, it's just like every other town of
similar size in the US that's REALLY warm.
- References:
- Trip Report - Algodones Dentistry
- From: The Real Bev
- Trip Report - Algodones Dentistry
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