Dental care is essential for a lifetime of good oral health, but it’s an unfortunate fact that not everyone can afford the dental treatment they need. As a result, increasing numbers of people are putting themselves at risk by visiting Mexico for dental treatment.
Americans are heading to Mexico in droves, taking advantage of dental care that’s up to two-thirds cheaper than the US average. In particular, seniors are more likely to consider this option because Medicare doesn’t cover dental work, and older people tend to be more in need of significant dental treatments such as crowns, bridges, and dental implants.
The dental care that can be obtained here is cheap, but is it safe?
Be Aware of the Risks Before Heading South
People who have dental work done in Mexico don’t all have bad experiences, but it’s important to know that it’s a possibility. There are definite risks associated with having dental treatment across the border.
For instance, a number of regulatory bodies exist in the US to protect consumers, including the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as well as state Boards of Dental Examiners. Regulatory bodies do exist in Mexico, but the standard of care isn’t necessarily the same as it is in the US. So, even if a dentist in Mexico is licensed and credentialed, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll provide the same standard of care as you would receive here.
Another potential issue is that if you receive dental care in Mexico and the treatment fails or causes other problems, your insurance is unlikely to cover any extra treatment you need. The US legal system is similarly unable to help, and since it’s not mandatory for dentists in Mexico to have malpractice insurance, so you may have no recourse at all for recovering your treatment costs.
And finally, there’s the issue of after-care and follow-up treatment, if it’s required. If you’re not able to travel back to Mexico after your initial treatment, you may not have access to aftercare treatment at all—so overall, it’s best to be cautious about seeking dental care across the border.
Contact Us for Quality Dental Care
For dental treatments you can rely on, and a dentist you can trust to provide you with a high standard of dental care, call Feldhake & Associates today for a consultation.