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Dental Tourism

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CarlosElChacal
  7/28/2019 17:06 EST

My first trip to Colombia has been delayed almost a year due to my travel buddy’s serious medical issues. I remain hopeful he’ll recover sufficiently to make the trip one day, but, depending upon answers I receive here, I may opt to soon go alone.

My long-time family dentist died some years ago. After foolishly managing to ignore reality until last week, my new dentist told me that multiple very old crowns all need replacing, as well as do some old-style fillings which have been deteriorating.

In SoCal, this translates into ~$15,000 worth of work, which was verified by another dentist from whom I’d sought a second opinion.

I’d read on the Forum that a number of people have used dental services in Colombia, and some seemed to have been very satisfied with certain dentists, which include--

In Bogota
Dr. Diego Perez, Dr. Marlon Becerrá, Dr Jose Luis Novoa and Dra. Rafaela Pacheco

In Medellin
Dr. Carlos Vega, Dr. Juan Restrepo, Dr. Jorge Franco, Dr. Rendon, and Dr. Juan Carlos Escalante at Clínica Ártica

With the dollar so strong right now, cash savings from Dental Tourism would be great. But, I’m equally wanting high-quality work and materials (Zirconia is the state of the art for crowns in the U.S. now) used in a clean and professional setting. I’m hoping everything done might last for (most of) the duration of my life.

Were those who’ve used any of the above dentists still completely satisfied with all of the work done, or were there any problems which surfaced down the road?

For that matter, has anyone had great experience with another Colombian dentist they’d recommend? For me, the location is unimportant—the quality of the work is what’s crucial.

Any opinions, experience and advice from personal experience would be appreciated.

mattinnorfolk
  7/28/2019 17:11 EST

I am sure you will get great advice on the forum, but you may try the forums on Facebook for Colombia, Medellin, Bogota etc... and you may get more advice. I have learned much from this forum, but also from those. Good Luck!!!

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Andresen
  7/28/2019 18:59 EST

I continue to use Dr. Rendon's services. He is an Endodontist who speaks near perfect English. I got 2 crowns about 4 years ago from him for about 1 million pesos each - about $350. Labor is much less expensive here but you still have to pay for the expensive (relatively speaking) crown itself. I can't recommend him highly enough.

LaPiranha
  7/28/2019 21:04 EST

It was me who recommended Dr Diego Perez. If my memory serves me correctly, my first round of crowns, implants, and root canal treatments was in about 2014, which makes it 5 years now, and still going strong. I also broke a tooth, (unrelated), but that's not long ago, but I still expect the same longevity as the originals.

CarlosElChacal
  7/29/2019 12:22 EST

Andresen and LaPiranha, thank you very much.

The fact that the work done has held up for so long without any notable issues gives me enough confidence to plan for getting my work done in Colombia. It’s easy to be satisfied for a brief period of time, but to be happy 4-5 years later speaks volumes. Two solid recommendations worthy of pursuit are enough for me to start arranging the logistics.

I might stage the work over a couple/few trips so I have enough time to visit a number of different areas. If my friend recovers enough to travel again, I’ll have some practical boots-on-the-ground experience to make his journey easier… which works to make me comfortable going ahead solo.

Thank you again!

Andresen
  7/29/2019 12:42 EST

Since you have 2 referrals you might want to consider setting up a consultation with each to get their recommendation and costs. That might cost you about 200,000 pesos ($60) each but ease your decision.

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CarlosElChacal
  7/29/2019 12:56 EST

Thanks, Matt.

I ended up pretty much using this Forum exclusively whenever I’ve had time to do any research on potential relocation to Colombia, but know that there’s a wealth of information on Facebook and should probably start checking that out, too.

I hope your search for the elusive retirement paradise continues going well!

EpaEpaEpa
  7/29/2019 17:49 EST

I have had crowns, implants and all the rest done over the years by a dentist in Cali. By comparison with others he's pricey but does good work. Unfortunately he doesn't meet the requirement of speaking English. You will certainly get your dental work done for a lot less in Colombia.

CarlosElChacal
  7/30/2019 04:08 EST

Andresen, yes, I’d definitely like to meet with at least a couple DDS practitioners before making a decision.

Your and LP’s good leads being so far apart, I’m hopeful that maybe I’ll get another in either Bogota or Medellin to make getting a second opinion much simpler to accomplish.


EpaXs3, the great competence of your dentist in Cali would certainly trump his cost being higher than the others, but your point is spot on that my current lack of fluency in Spanish—particularly as it would relate to conversing re: los dientes—would make it a poor choice for me to consider dealing with someone who was not relatively fluent in English.

When I first read your post, I recalled that there are English-speaking “guides” for hire all over Colombia.

I'd checked out the web site which somebody had previously posted as a reference, and it seems like such guides can definitely be quite useful for many purposes.

Unfortunately, there would probably still be too much room for technical misunderstandings... besides my needing a translator to stick with me virtually throughout the entire time of my treatment.

I’m afraid that I’ll have to pay the premium for an English-speaking dentist, but, you are definitely correct that I’ll still get any work done for a lot less in Colombia than in the US.

Getting any more than basic dental work done stateside has gotten to be quite expensive over the years--and, virtually cost-prohibitive for many people who might be playing catch-up after deferring ongoing maintenance/repairs for an extended period.

Thank you both!

Juanderosa
  7/30/2019 12:33 EST

I might have a different perspective as I have an aunt who is a dentist in Medellin who gave me a referral to a periodontist in Medellin (and I'm fluent in Spanish).

I was quoted in the US for periodontal work that would have been $6000 (with me covering $4000 since I would be nearing my yearly cap and insurance the other $2000).

I went to Colombia and my aunt set up an appointment to get Xrays done (which were about $50 if I remember correctly) and then took those to a periodontist in Medellin located near the San Diego mall in a modern 15 story plus medical building (filled with doctors and dentist offices). His office was clean, he had very similar equipment and facilities to my current dentist in the US. I took the "quote" that my US periodontist gave me and explained it to him the best I could given my Spanish wasn't great when it came to anatomical terms.

What he did say was that the treatment suggested was very aggressive (and unnecessary considering the rest of my dental health, age and condition of my teeth/gums). When he saw the quote, he was a bit taken back with the price considering he said if he had to do similar work he would charge much less ($200 at most since sedation might be involved).

He charged me $60 for an hour of work. I suspect part of that price has to do with the fact he isn't advertising to people who speak English, doesn't have a fancy website, doesn't have to pay for referrals (possibly), etc.

I would suggest maybe finding out the going rate and going from there to see if you think it's worth it. Since I was referred by a dentist who sends him patients I believe I got the regular price and not the gringo price (even after I showed him my "quote" which in hindsight might have been a mistake). He could have charged me $150 and I would have probably been the none the wiser.

guestuser
  7/30/2019 19:35 EST

@juanderosa those costs seem a little high.

I live outside Medellin and we have a new mall with a very modern dentist office. Most of their work seems domestic.

A few weeks ago I had a crown come off and that was put back as an emergency appointment, COP 100k. I’ve actually used much cheaper dentists for the same issue.

Yesterday I had a deep cleaning that lasted over an hour. COP 150k and we agreed that going forward I needed some restoration work on some crowns at COP 100k each.

This isn’t a cheap place which I’m sure others would point out.

The dentist spoke a little English but frankly if you’ve at least some Spanish or have them diagram what they’re going to do it’s not that difficult.

The only thing I’m cautious about is that dentists are so used to dealing with locals (for them it can be expensive) that they’ll suggest less optimal but cheaper treatments to sell you on the program. No one wants to have to redo dental work...

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guestuser
  7/30/2019 20:09 EST

Most of their work seems cosmetic

EpaEpaEpa
  8/1/2019 19:24 EST

'juagase!

guestuser
  8/1/2019 20:02 EST

The dentist is called Delivery Dentist which doesn’t make much sense. They’re part of the Novasmile group which has other practices in Medellin. I’ve no experience of the other places.

You can find Delivery Dentist on Facebook. One advantage, other than the all new equipment is that as they’re new they don’t seem that busy. Getting appointments was easy. They take foreign credit cards.

The new mall is called Jardines de Llanogrande and is an upscale mall which is meant to have been funded by a group of Colombian soccer players.

Llanogrande is just beyond the Rio Negro airport and can be reached from the city by bus, or by bus to the airport and then a local taxi (a separate line).

Llanogrande is the place many cyclists go at the weekend and in the past was known for families having weekend fincas. Now it’s a big development area with lots of gated finca developments as the new tunnel will make it a potential commuting area.

As the airport tunnel is always of interest the new date is August 15th. From what I saw yesterday that looks possible at the Medellin end but the airport end still looks as if it needs work.

Juanderosa
  8/2/2019 13:29 EST

The only thing that worries me is that easy to get an appointment is sort of like a restaurant that is 75% empty. Could be good but the word hasn't gotten out yet. Or it could be the word has gotten out yet and that's why their are empty.

If it is where I think it is, it's an area that seems to be growing within very short distance of a few country clubs that are in the Rio Negro area (and there is a Carulla and some other higher end shops in the Llanogrande mall with Crepes and Waffles across the street and a few higher end steakhouses with a few blocks either way).

Fredonia
  8/2/2019 13:42 EST

If you live in So Cal, just hop (not literally) across the border to Tijuana. There are some really great dentists there who can save you thousands of dollars. I know this from experience, and plan on returning there and getting completely fixed up before my international travels.

morganstern
  8/3/2019 16:12 EST

https://cesarrodriguezlara.com/

CAtoMDE
  8/4/2019 10:59 EST

@Fredonia - good call to get it done in TJ.

I live outside of Medellin but here in SoCal for the past month, returning home to Medellin next week, but spent the July 4th long weekend in a condo on the sand in Rosarito.

We went into TJ and I met some friends whom I had not seen in years and one buddy of mine from San Diego introduced me to his dentist office in TJ. I need some work done but just did not want to do anything on the 4th of July weekend trip so I will wait until I return home to Medellin.

Great option though if your in SoCal. Big market and good dentists in TJ, not all of course but my buddy swears on the quality and cost of his.

Juanderosa
  8/4/2019 12:21 EST

TJ at one point was the most expensive city in the developing world (due to its proximity to the US particularly to a high income city like San Diego). So per capita Colombia seems better off than Mexico but city by city comparisons might be something else.

I’m not sure if other factors would come into play (tariffs on equipment, supplies, etc.) but if your are getting work done that has a lot of labor (and your headed to Colombia anyway) I’m making an educated guess that Colombia might be cheaper. Granted the worse kind of pain is dental pain so timing might be another issue.

alanmalarkey
  8/25/2019 15:15 EST

Hi there I am thinking of staying a month or so in Rio negro next year. Do you have any idea what one implant would cost?

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