Tatiana Rivera Kubert resides in Tijuana, Baja California. For the past 22 years, she has dedicated her career to working as an odontologist specializing in Restorative Dentistry. She describes her profession as her passion. “I really care about my patients, about making them feel happy and comfortable, about giving them back their self-confidence, making them smile again: making them feel that we are going to solve their problem together,” she says. Riviera currently works at the Smile Forever clinic in Tijuana, Baja California.
Javier Muñiz Pérez is also a dentist, located in nearby Los Algodones, Mexicali, a region known for having one of the highest concentration of dentists per square meter. “You can find up to 300 dental clinics within 2 blocks,” Muñiz told Mexico News Daily.
With 16 years of experience in dentistry, Muñiz’s journey began with a degree from California State University. Presently, he serves as the director of Sani Dental Group in Los Algodones.
Both Rivera and Muñiz spoke with Mexico News Daily to delve deeper into why Mexico is an ideal destination for dentistry and how it offers high quality, service, technology, and more.
Why Mexico is an ideal destination for dentistry
As reported by the Mexican newspaper El Economista in 2023, Mexico secured the second position in global dental tourism due to its competitive pricing and quality services. The cost of treatment in Mexico is between 50% and 70% lower than that in the United States, Canada or Europe. In 2019 alone, Americans spent over US $5 billion on dental procedures abroad, a number that continues to rise.
The proximity of Mexico to the United States and Canada is not the only reason for this upsurge. The quality and technology utilized by Mexican dentists is globally recognized, and service in the country is often perceived as more friendly and personal.
“The quality is on par, if not better [than in the United States] with prices sometimes three times lower than in the U.S. The warmth of the care provided is notably different compared to the U.S.,” explains Rivera.
She continues: “In the USA, you are greeted by multiple staff members who attend to various tasks at different times, with the dentist only spending about 5 minutes with you. There is limited direct communication with the dentist, whereas, in Mexico, we have much more interaction. I believe the care is more human and comprehensive right from the start; it is a more individualized approach.”
Muñiz agrees. “In Mexico, we offer a comprehensive range of dental services with consistent technical excellence. We have access to all necessary supplies, and our dentists are highly skilled due to the exceptional academic standards,” he adds.
When it comes to technology and education, Mexico’s dentists “receive excellent training and Mexico’s universities uphold high academic standards. We have access to cutting-edge materials and modern technology that can rival any in the world,” Rivera says. “Our educational quality, materials, and resources are on par with international standards; many materials are sourced from Europe and Japan. The dental sector remains current with numerous conferences, courses, and certification programs available in Mexico.”
Recommendations for choosing your dentist or clinic
It is always important to ensure you select a location that prioritizes quality. It is also crucial to verify references. “Online reviews are highly valuable as they offer objective insights that can guide your decision making process,” Rivera emphasizes.
Muñiz underscores the significance of confirming that the clinic possesses the necessary documentation. “Ensure that they have their accreditations, including the general dentistry and specialist certificates. Each clinic should prominently display its operation notice and have a designated health officer. Additionally, professionals need to stay current with ongoing education and certifications, which are typically renewed every four years and can be requested by patients.”
Regarding professionalism and honesty, both professionals emphasize the importance of conveying seriousness and confidence. “It is crucial that the proposed treatment plan is not just what you want to hear but what you genuinely need. A good dentist will always prioritize what is best for your health. You should feel confident that the recommended solution is truly the best for you, not necessarily the most expensive or extensive option. They should communicate effectively, explaining the procedures, reasons behind them, the root cause of your dental issues, and presenting treatment plan options,” Rivera explains.
Both agree that Mexico provides a level of personalized attention that is highly valued by foreign patients. “Here, we dedicate ample time to each patient, ensuring a detailed explanation of their needs and associated costs,” Riviera proudly states.
Have you had a positive experience with dental treatment in Mexico? Let us know in the comments!
Ana Paula de la Torre is a Mexican journalist and collaborator for various outlets including Milenio, Animal Político, Vice, Newsweek en Español, Televisa and Mexico News Daily.
Agree, dental care where we live in Mexico is vastly superior to that which we received in the U.S. We view it as just another one of the many benefits of living here.
Also agree. I had an emergency root canal done in 2022 (was flying the next day so I really needed to get it done) and the dental clinic in Mexico City was among the most modern and nice I have been in, the equipment was all new and complete, and, overall, I was the most informed dental patient than I have ever been, perhaps in my life.
Mexico can be a bit bureaucratic, but there’s only a few things one really needs bureaucracy-wise anyway, like getting driver’s license, cell phone etc. Small issue for a much higher and freer quality of life.
Darrell, what’s the name/address of the dental clinic you used in Mexico City? I need to find one by next year and start regular checkups.
An excellent dentist is Doctor Leo Lara in Guadalajara. I’ve been a patient of his for about ten years. He is very professional and knowlegable, always carefully explaining what treatment needs to be done and, if possible, offers an optional treatment.
All of my appointments with him have resulted very satisfactory results
We have wonderful dentists in Mexico. My husband and I are retired and our Medicare doesn’t do dentistry. Thankfully, we live in San Diego county and have a great dentist in Tijuana. We have also had dental visits in Playa del Carmen. Ajijic and Merida and all were really personable and professional. When we travel to Mexico we will look for a dentist for a cleaning. We really appreciate being able to do this and couldn’t be happier for the great care we get.
I have had excellent dental care for 14 years in Mexico. For many years I lived in San Diego. Whenever I went for a cleaning there, the dentist (whom I only saw for two minutes at the end of the treatment) always told me I needed another appointment for some other treatment that he deemed absolutely necessary. That has never happened to me here in Mexico. I have a lot more confidence in dentists in Mexico. The cleaning is also done by the actual dentist and not by a hygienist. The service in Mexico is also far more personal and friendly.
A great and timely article, thank you. We are moving to Mazatlan and would like to have recommendations for a Dentist there. My sister in law and her husband have been very pleased with their dental work in Cabo where they had a place for years.
Thank you in advance,
Brian
Totally agree. I love my dentist of six years in Progreso, Yucatan.