Re: OT Mexican Dentistry
- From: Steven Bornfeld <dentaltwinmung@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:11:41 -0400
Gregg L wrote:
Before embarking on that trip, some things to consider.
Disclosure-I'm a US dentist. But folks going to other countries for care don't make a dent in my practice income or in many others in the US. It's a financial non-issue to the profession, until the problems, when they occur, return for repair. Then it's gravy time.
That Clay's wife is happy as can be should be far down on your reasons to seek dental or medical care in Mexico. I'll assume she's like the rest of us (incl dentists) and doesn't have the first clue how to walk away from an appointment and actually assess the technical quality/outcome of her dental care. Like most of us, she is likely pleased because, "(S)he didn't hurt me, and I don't hurt now, and they were friendly and took my Visa." Without a visual exam and radiographs (x-rays) even a dentist would be unable to know if most dental care he/she had rec'd was technically competent, much less excellent.
NOTE--Mexico has many fine dentists all over the country, and many fine physicians, also. It's possible to receive superior care there, as it is in the US. But the trick is distinguishing who's who, and who will take the time to determine what it is YOU want for your dental health.
Many, if not most, of the US citizens crossing the border for dental care don't just settle for the lower fees there, they look for what may be the lowest!! You are not going to find good care in Mexico at Mexican bargain rates.
The biggest producing plastic surgery office in Tijuana is run by an attorney doing the surgery. An accountant is doing the surgery in the 2nd biggest producing plastic office there. Not uncommon for non-dentists to have set up shop as dentists in Mexico and to be providing care. Many US MD's and dentists who have lost licenses in the US are in Mexico providing care. Note-in the US there are non-dentists providing "dental care" also, but they tend to be ethnic and prey on their brethren in lower income neighborhoods, so most US patients don't need to be concerned about running into them.
Do your homework!! Just as you should in the US. In the case of seeking care in Mex., it would be very helpful to have had an examination and diagnosis and treatment plan developed here by someone you trust, even though the treatment may not be affordable. At least you know what the dental pathology is that you have, and what that dentist would recommend to address it. Otherwise, you go to another country, a dentist you don't know, and have to accept the treatment plan developed there, blindly. It's not uncommon at all for US patients to return from Mexico with horrible restorative dental treatment, much of it unnecessary, and other unnecessary treatment done also. A friend of mine in Ohio saw a patient this week, for whom she had recommended doing a crown on a tooth for a couple of years. Patient had the crown done in Mexico recently. The crown fits the tooth like a 10 gallon Stetson on a 4 yr old, and there was an unnecessary root canal done. As for the latter, the patient reported that the dentist in Mexico, having started the crown, told her, "It's all black and infected and needs a root canal." Wow, so do it, doc. Well, black and infected are a nice tandem of scare words. This patient, due to the cost of the unneeded root canal, paid MORE for "fixing" the tooth than if she had just done the crown with her US dentist.
We've got docs here who should have their hands cut off, but at least we have state dental boards and a legal system that all work to some extent to weed out the jerks. Far from perfect, but if you have a bad outcome in a medical or dental office in Mexico, tough. There aren't any malpractice suits to file. You're just screwed.
Dentists I know in San Diego, California are facing major dental treatment re-do's of Mexico-provided care. One of those friends does expert testimony work and relates that many of these people seek redress against their Mexican dentist, but there is zero chance of getting compensation.
I don't have any good answers as to how to find one of the good guys and gals down there providing competent or better care. If I had an ex-pat friend living there, whose life-judgments I respected, that could be a source. An embassy might be able to provide some names. Beyond that, I don't know. I wouldn't know if a license or diploma on a wall was real or not. And for sure, and with all respect to Clay and his wife, someone saying, "I'm pleased with who I see." is only a jumping-off point for the decision-making. It may be a PITA, but our oral health is linked to our systemic health, and the decisions you make about one impact the other. Dentists, real and fake, in Mexico, China, the Philippines, and in Eastern Europe are cashing in on the get-it-cheaper here craze. Just select carefully.
You can find good care there, but I felt Clay's recommendation was too broad for me not to comment about the existing downside. Do it if it's a financial necessity, but don't go in blindly.
And take your iPod with Bernstein, Rogers, Monder, and Mazza loaded!!!!
JMO
Gregg
Then there's that lady dentist in Bangkok...
Steve
.
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