Why Is Los Algodones A Mecca For Dental Tourism
Last Spring I travelled to Los Algodones, Mexico for extensive dental work. If you’re lucky, you get to live your entire life without this. I wasn’t, and the cost of getting the work I needed done would be 3 times what it would cost in Los Algodones. I’m not alone because Americans and Canadians flock to this tiny desert town to get their teeth fixed.
Los Algodones is otherwise known as “Molar City” because there are more than 250 dentists here with back to back offices in storefronts everywhere throughout town. And dentists are the only ones who have found success here. Any storefronts that aren’t dentist offices are optometrists, pharmacies or botox clinics. One very high sign at a clinic near the local market proclaims “Stem Cell” ( I can only wonder what that’s about)
Watch Out For The Sidewalks!
With all the money flowing into this town, you’d think the streets would be paved in gold fillings. However, walking down the wacky sidewalks here could cripple you. I’m talking about sudden drop offs that are immediately followed by steep ascents. That said, there are good sections of sidewalks.
Los Algodones Has Hundreds Of Street Vendors
These sections are divided into impromptu street vendor stalls. The boundaries of each stall are marked on 3 sides by colourful mexican blankets, But these boundaries don’t keep vendors in their stalls, as you navigate through the maze of striped and patterned blankets. They sit waiting to pounce, trading their trinkets for US dollars with dental tourists. As I make my way a vendor yells emphatically “I give you best deal, please take look”! When I answer “No gracias” it seems to encourage him, and he follows me until another vendor takes over trying to win my pesos.
Dental Work in Mexico Can Save You A lot Of Money
Faced with horrendous dental bills at home, I decided to try a much touted Los Algodones dentist to get the urgent work I needed done. The trip, including dental work, accommodations and transportation would be about half my dental bill at home, so it seemed well worth the trip.
As a matter of fact, the dental group I chose had its own hotel attached to the clinic. Also, when I landed at Phoenix, their driver was there to pick me up. It was all included in the price of the services.
Is It Worth It?
But is it worth traveling from Canada to Los Algodones for dental work? After a week of excruciating dental work by a very kind and professional team of dental specialists, I was ready to go home. After recovering for a few months, I got my very understanding Canadian periodontist to check their work. He said he was very impressed with the work. I feel a lot more confident and maybe that’s why I’m smiling more.
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