Over the last several years, more and more Americans have discovered the value of traveling to Mexico for dental treatment. Traveling to other countries, or dental tourism, has increased over the last decade due to rising dental costs in the United States. Even Americans with dental insurance often pay high prices for treatments and procedures. Those without dental insurance often cannot afford dental procedures and delay treatment until it becomes an emergency, creating larger issues such as infected teeth and gums and more aggressive procedures.
Why Mexico for Dental Treatment?
Many Americans travel to Mexico specifically because it is the easiest to travel to and they can save up to 70 percent of what they would pay in the U.S. Dentists in Mexico are well educated just like U.S. dentists. Some have also attended school in the U.S. and are members of Mexican, American, and international dental associations. Dentists in Mexico offer the same types of services that are offered in the U.S. as well. Many dentists even accept American dental insurance, increasing the savings!
Why are Dental Services in Mexico Less Expensive?
There are a few reasons for this, actually. A significant difference between American dentists and Mexican dentists’ costs is that the cost of living in Mexico is much, much lower than in the U.S. This equates to lower wages for dental office staff and overall overhead. Although dentists in Mexico use the same types of materials for dental procedures, they are often able to purchase them for less. They also usually have in-house labs, saving time and money. Even if they do not, there are so many labs in the cities that are known for dental tourism, that it at least saves significant time. Finally, dentists in Mexico are able to charge their patients much less because their education is subsidized by the government, meaning they don’t have the high student loans to pay off, and they don’t have to pay for expensive malpractice insurance.
Tijuana
Long known for its reputation as a party destination, more and more Americans are discovering the significant dental tourism industry in Tijuana. Located just across the border from San Diego, Tijuana is easily accessible for Americans seeking quality, low-cost dentistry. Tijuana is in the Mexican state of Baja, known for its temperate climate and busy commercial industry, full of shopping, eateries, and attractions.
Los Algodones
Nicknamed “Molar City,” Los Algodones’ main income is dental tourism. It is a popular destination for Americans seeking less expensive dental work because of its location just across the California border. Americans can easily fly into San Diego or Phoenix and drive across the border if they don’t already live near the border. There are more than 900 dentists in Los Algodones.
Cancun
Another popular destination, especially for those that want to enjoy a vacation setting before or after their dentist visit – depending on the work they are having done, of course. Dental tourists visiting Cancun can also take advantage of sandy beaches set against incredible blue waters, resort hotels, and amazing food. Cancun’s popularity as a vacation destination makes it easy to fly for Americans with many nonstop flights.
Each of these locations in Mexico has something different to offer dental tourists from the United States. What they all have in common, however, is quality, lost-cost dentistry using state-of-the-art, modern equipment and materials. Not to mention that recovering from an extensive dental procedure is much easier when surrounded by beautiful weather, sandy beaches, shopping, and more. It just helps take the edge off, doesn’t it?
