I dont have an answer to the question.  I just know that my dentist here in the states wants to charge me $780 for a crown, yet a dentist in Mexico charged me $160.  The saving was enough to pay for the air fare for my wife and I to visit her family.  So in essence, we got a free trip.

Right now, my wife is looking at getting 2 implants. (she lost 2 teethe when she was much younger).  The price down in Mexico will be about $2300.  Here? $6000+ (I have heard up to $10k). Even with Dental insurance, we still save $1000 by having it done in Mexico.  And I have gotten comments from my Dentist here that the work was very good (I hinted - but did not state - that I had to have it done while out there because the temporary came out).

Now?  I am just going to Mexico.  And I found out today that it is eligible for reimbursement from the MSA - which means Uncle Sam helps pay for it (actually, I just pay less in taxes but that is still a savings to me).

My uncle died from an infected tooth. It's a shame.

ERs will also treat severe things like this for uninsured folks as well. It is not all about cost, sometimes it is also about people not getting kids the care they need.

Maybe, just maybe, greywar, they're trying to dig themselves out of a hole by not having the mountainous debt that numerous ER visits can and do make for so many. Honestly, though, MOST ER's I've been too would just give the kid painkillers and send him home. I know firsthand. That's why my knee's so messed up. Because it has needed treatment for many years, but when I would go into the ER despite being able to barely walk on it, they would bandage it and send me home with a note for two days off work.

I don't believe in socialized medicine, you know that. But I DO believe that somehow we should be able to come up with a better system, one that gives choices to the working poor that don't involve more than 10 years of bad credit afterwards.

my dentist here in the states wants to charge me $780 for a crown, yet a dentist in Mexico charged me $160.

The price down in Mexico will be about $2300. Here? $6000+ (I have heard up to $10k). Even with Dental insurance, we still save $1000 by having it done in Mexico

Why is that I wonder?! I would love to know why there is such a difference in the cost! Just like with prescriptions, you can get it cheaper in Canada and in Mexico but not here.

My uncle died from an infected tooth. It's a shame.

That's awful Sugar! I don't know why it's so difficult when it comes to healthcare. I read also that a 19 year old died in the UK because of an infected tooth. It's not just here in the US, where there is a problem with dental care.

ERs will also treat severe things like this for uninsured folks as well. It is not all about cost, sometimes it is also about people not getting kids the care they need.

They extract tooth at the ER too? I believe in the end when he got treatment, it was because of a hospital. The tooth came out (by a dentist I believe) and he was on the mend.

I don't believe in socialized medicine, you know that. But I DO believe that somehow we should be able to come up with a better system, one that gives choices to the working poor that don't involve more than 10 years of bad credit afterwards.

Absolutely!


I heard the story recently about a couple, by no means poor, but not rich either. The husband got sick, went to the ER, didn't stay long, just a couple of hours. His ER bill was very high. He couldn't pay it off at once, they put a lien on his house!

I forgot which city it was. I wouldn't be surprise if it was here in Florida, they do stuff like that here!

Why is that I wonder?! I would love to know why there is such a difference in the cost! Just like with prescriptions, you can get it cheaper in Canada and in Mexico but not here.

Malpractice Insurance.

It's crazy. Growing up I hardly ever went to the dentist partly because we were uninsured and partly because my mom is terrified of dentists.

Adrian and I feel like regular dentist appointments are a priority for our children. Both of us would have benefited from braces but never got them.

We are fortunate to have very good dental insurance (less than $30 a month for me and the kids, regular check ups at no cost, 20% co-pay on dental work) and a dentist who will allow patients to make payments if they can't pay for something up front.

I think finding a compassionate dentist is probably paramount for poor families.

The difference in cost has to do with the difference in regulations, not just insurance. You can't get cheap care here because it's impossible to run a cheap medical operation. It would be shut down in five minutes.

The difference in cost has to do with the difference in regulations, not just insurance. You can't get cheap care here because it's impossible to run a cheap medical operation. It would be shut down in five minutes.

That too.

A friend of mine needed to go to the dentist but was having trouble with her insurance. Her husband is in the military and he is the sole provider. Her dentist refused treatment because the insurance wouldn't pay for it all. They wanted her to pay the difference in full before her appointment. They had signs saying they have payment plans but they said she doesn't qualify because SHE doesn't work. It doesn't make no sense to me.

Oh yes Doc, Insurance is a part of it, law suit anyone? That's the main reason I guess uh? Too sad though if that's all it is.

Jythier, I don't think anyone really want to have shoddy work done to their mouths. They'll pay for it in the end!





This is the problem right there! Many dentists are like that. IT's not about insurance or looking for cheap care. Why would anyone want cheap care in their mouths? Like Tex said, Its a matter of finding a dentist who is invested in his community and that's the crux of it right there!

Link

For those without dental plans, I've found a link to a website that looks pretty helpful on obtaining a plan to suit your budget and needs. Just type in your zip code to find the plan for your area. I'll check it out for myself and give an update sometime later in the year after I've tried it!