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Americans heading to Mexico for discount dentistry
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Copyright: 2007 The E.W. Scripps Co. (ABC15.com)
August 17, 2007
Story by Tim Vetscher
More than a million people in Arizona do not have health insurance. That number is even higher when it comes to dental insurance.
Because of that, more and more people are heading south ofthe border in search of discount dentistry.
A new company here in the Valley is trying to cater to this growing trend.
About twice a month, a DayoDental van departs from Phoenix to Los Algodones, Mexico. There, patients are escorted to the offices of Dr. Carlos Rubio.
Dr. Rubio is one of more than 300 dentists in Los Algodones vying for Americans hoping to save big.
On average, dentists in Mexico charge about one fourth of the cost you'd expect to pay here in the United States.
Jacqueline Aragon, a Phoenix resident, was quoted more than 17-thousand dollars by an American dentist as the cost for two dental implants. Dr. Rubio agreed to do the same procedure for a little more than three-thousand dollars.
The reason for the savings? Real estate costs less in Mexico and workers south of the border generally make less than their American counterparts.
Also, Mexican laws make it extremely hard for people to sue, therefore, dentists carry less malpractice insurance.
"It's buyer beware," said Rick Murray, Executive Director of the Arizona Dental Association, who cautions people about going to Mexico for dental work.
"You get what you pay for," he said. "The fact is the technology and regulations U.S. dentists have to adhere to is what keeps patients safe. None of that is available to them in Mexico."
Ron Vinluan of DayoDental disagrees.
"We have to face the fact that not all the quality professionals are in this country," Vinluan said. "There is a whole world out there that has equally qualified dental professionals."
For more information, go to www.dayodental.com |
