# Dental work while on vacation in Mexico - any experiences? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-while-on-vacation-in-mexico-any-experiences/788746 "2017-06-12T02:02:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![diggerwam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-while-on-vacation-in-mexico-any-experiences/788746/1 "2017-06-12T02:02:09Z")
Here’s the deal. Going to Mexico (Playa Del Carmen) area in September. I have needed a root canal for almost a year. Tooth is broken, but very rarely hurts, but root canal and cap needs to be done. Are there any downsides to having the root canal done while I’m on vacation? I assume it will be much cheaper that the US, then all I need to do when I get back is get the cap. Any way to verify the dentist I’m going to is reputable. I don’t know the language, I can get around, but not fluent at all. Any advice or experiences will be helpful… ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-while-on-vacation-in-mexico-any-experiences/788746/2 "2017-06-12T04:03:45Z")
I live in México. And many people come here for dental work. They can be very professional and with sterile work offices. I went to my dentist for a cleaning. The place was immaculate, with removable plastic on the lamps, etc. Just like in the USA. First question she asked was, “Are you diabetic?” I answered yes, and how did you know? She said she could tell by the smell of my breath. I have been to dozens of dentists in the states, and not one mentioned this. My point being, yes, there are qualified dentists in México. But, I don’t know any in Playa. There is a website called [mexconnect.com](http://mexconnect.com). It has forums and you can ask about dentists in Playa. Good luck and have a great vacation. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-while-on-vacation-in-mexico-any-experiences/788746/3 "2017-06-12T04:19:53Z")
> [@diggerwam](#): > > Are there any downsides to having the root canal done while I’m on vacation? I would imagine it would make the vacation less fun. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-while-on-vacation-in-mexico-any-experiences/788746/4 "2017-06-12T06:22:49Z")
I think the US embassy in Mexico City keeps as list of the Mexican dentists (and other medical professionals) that have met some standard of reputation that would meet the criteria expected by an American patient. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-while-on-vacation-in-mexico-any-experiences/788746/5 "2017-06-12T13:55:02Z")
Medical tourism: [https://www.patientsbeyondborders.com/procedure/dentistry](https://www.patientsbeyondborders.com/procedure/dentistry) ---
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-while-on-vacation-in-mexico-any-experiences/788746/6 "2017-06-12T15:20:30Z")
Living in San Diego, I know several who have had work done in Mexico. Some with good results, some with disaterous. If you are going to give it a shot you’ll be wise to start reaching out for personal recommendations, especially for a root canal.