Need affordable dental work done - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

funola · #1 10-04-2011, 11:02 AM

I have no insurance and need a lot of dental work done. Root canal crown. Any ideas? Buy dental insurance? Go to a state with cheaper rates? Go out of the country? Which states? Which country? Mexico? Anyone done anything like that? I'd love to hear your experience.

PaulC · #2 10-04-2011, 11:08 AM

Dental school.

elchivito · #3 10-04-2011, 11:09 AM

You'll get lots of opinions on going to Mexico for dental work. I've done it several times with good result, including a root canal and crown. Some Mexican dentists are U.S. trained. Do your homework in advance. I'm sure there are some forums that can help.

kerry · #4 10-04-2011, 11:42 AM

I remember seeing lots of dentists just over the border in Mexico when we crossed in at Columbus NM. Made me think it could be a good deal.

aklim · #5 10-04-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

I have no insurance and need a lot of dental work done. Root canal crown. Any ideas? Buy dental insurance? Go to a state with cheaper rates? Go out of the country? Which states? Which country? Mexico? Anyone done anything like that? I'd love to hear your experience.

I don't know if you can buy dental insurance. Kinda like me having a huge dent in the car and then buy insurance and tomorrow claim it. If you bought insurance today and went to the dentist for such an item tomorrow, could it be seen as a form of fraud? The diagnosis already has the date stamp on it so it becomes you buying insurance AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS has been known. I would THINK that somebody there would smell a rat. IF I were your dentist, I would be leery to do the work since I don't want to be part of the fraud.

Best way I can think of is to get insurance today and wait it out for a few months and see another dentist but seeing that you have a condition, I wouldn't advise it. If you have a decent job, they have some plans out there that will give you interest free financing for the job. HOWEVER, if they give you 6 months or 12 months interest free financing, you had best pay it off in the time allotted.

sjh · #6 10-04-2011, 04:15 PM

I've never seen a dental school offer more than cleaning, exam type stuff.

I was in a similar situation. I ended up paying cash.

I know those who have been happy with Mexico but I have no personal experience.

lutzTD · #7 10-04-2011, 04:46 PM

be careful of border town docs and dentists. many are there just for people that cross and to make a buck, they will get your money and do shoddy work, you have no recourse. my wifes family lives in Jaurez but go to Chihuahua to go to the doctor or dentist.

Hatterasguy · #8 10-04-2011, 07:57 PM

Pay cash they will cut you a deal.

TheDon · #9 10-04-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Pay cash they will cut you a deal.

exactly. Only a sucker pays sticker price for anything. Medical work is just like any other type of labor. But this time instead of a mechanic doing work on a car its a dentist drilling holes in your teeth!

aklim · #10 10-04-2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Pay cash they will cut you a deal.

Not always. After all, I can go without you for a few months, can you go without me? I know someone who paid $8500 for some plastic surgery work. I posed as her boyfriend and asked if I would get a break if I paid in actual cash as opposed to a credit card and they turned me down.

TheDon · #11 10-04-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Not always. After all, I can go without you for a few months, can you go without me? I know someone who paid $8500 for some plastic surgery work. I posed as her boyfriend and asked if I would get a break if I paid in actual cash as opposed to a credit card and they turned me down.

Did you get a before and after?

kip Foss · #12 10-04-2011, 09:59 PM

I live in S. Tx. and a lot of my friends go to Mexico. They say they save from 1/2 to 2/3rds. in Mexico. Many go to Progreso. Many of the dentists are US trained and have offices on the US side.

aklim · #13 10-04-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

Did you get a before and after?

It was a face lift or partial face lift. Not sure what they call it but it was worth the effort since she was a friend who did the wife a few solids.

aklim · #14 10-04-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjh

I tried negotiating a better price with the dentist, couple thousand dollars. No dice. I'd've gone elsewhere but he was the guy I wanted to do the job.

You need him and he knows that so he won't budge. Try getting a credit plan or some sort of payment plan where you can go 12 months without interest if you paid it all off

aklim · #15 10-04-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kip Foss

I live in S. Tx. and a lot of my friends go to Mexico. They say they save from 1/2 to 2/3rds. in Mexico. Many go to Progreso. Many of the dentists are US trained and have offices on the US side.

Doesn't matter where they are trained if there is little liability.