Any experience with Mexican dentists in Mexico?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m facing three root canals and a friend is touting a dentist he went to in Tijuana.

I’ve been to Tijuana. Once. And the only word that comes to mind is “squalor”…which doesn’t inspire confidence about going there for medical treatment, especially when two friends have been battling serious, potentially permanent infections as a result of shoddy (American, but still shoddy) root canals. Is it so unfair to consider the general environment the dentist works from among the criteria for deciding if he’s quality?

But my friend is pretty smart and he felt good about the guy, whose practice is evidently about 50% Americans. I know that there’s an element of simple elitism in my hesitation, but even so, Mexico, particularly Tijuana, is pretty 3rd worldy.

So have you had any experience to share, positive or negative?

2

I went to a Mexican dentist once. When I woke up, I was in a bathtub full of ice and all my teeth were gone.

3

My uncle went to Mexico and had a bunch of dental work done; he was very pleased with it, as far as I know.

4

I’ve never had dental work there, but I’ve know lots of people who have, and they are pleased with both the quality and price of their dental work. On the other hand, I am now living less than 5 miles from the border (used to be even closer) and will not set foot in border Mexico (willingly–kidnapping doesn’t count!) for anything whatsoever. As you said, it is pretty 3rd worldly, and now it is 3rd worldly in the midst of civil war.

5

Lots of local anaesthetic available, I hear. If you can’t find a dentist, maybe ask a cab driver.

6

My mother, who lives in San Diego, always goes to a dentist in Tijuana, who does good work and is very reasonable.

And no, she doesn’t quiver with fear when she goes there. In fact, she often visits friends while she’s in the area.

7

I thought all the murder and mayhem was happening further East. Is it in TJ as well?

8

My wife, who is half Mexican, has an uncle that is a dentist in Tijuana and I’ve heard he does very good work. He lives on this side of the border but chooses to work down there as I gather the cost of running the business is a lot cheaper and he does have quite a few American clients. I gather it is a good option for people who are otherwise in the area, but are uninsured/underinsured and need the dental work done. If you want his name, PM me and I can provide it.

Regarding the violence and kidnapping, I think that is primarily between the drug dealers themselves these days and doesn’t involve the locals or tourists as much. While there is always the danger you will be in the wrong place at the wrong time, get shot in a driveby of some drug guy standing near you, etc., that can happen on the U.S. side of the border too.