Dental Vacation! Isn’t that an Oxymoron?
Read below and you’ll learn about many folks who have had great experiences while saving ‘mucho dinero’ – lots of money; enough money in fact that allows them to enjoy a vacation as they get their dental work done.
Personally, my husband and I have had exceptional experiences with Dra. Liza Magalianes Reimers. My friend who recommended her told me “I really like her and her team; nothing but great experiences. Very gentle and kind.”
I echo my friend’s words especially after going to three different dentists that I simply was not impressed with. Over the couple of years, I’ve not only had two cleanings; my hubby had one. I also have undertaken Invisalign with a wee bit more time to a beautiful new smile. Dr. Liza brings in an orthodontist from Guadalajara. Orthodontist Dr.Christian Jose Hernandez Velarde told me my teeth are perfect for this treatment. I am THRILLED with the result!
I highly recommend Dental Clinic Puerto Vallarta on the 3rd floor of the San Javier Hospital in Nuevo Vallarta. The assistants speak great English as do the dentists and specialists.
One of our awesome guests shared their experience.
Dental Vacation in the Riviera Nayarit… paradise actually!
My hubby and I love the Riviera Nayarit region of Mexico! We have been several times but this last trip had a much different twist. Like I told people, we’re going on a dental vacation. You didn’t know those two words could even be put in the same sentence, did you? Heck, up until a few days ago, a few of my girlfriends had no idea what the heck I was talking about, what so ever, after I sent a text, bidding them a fond farewell. When I returned, they said, “What was that dental vacation all about.” They thought either my husband was a closet dentist or we were going to be working with dentists doing missions work! “NO! NO! NO!”, I said. “We had a bunch of dental work done while on vacation.”
We get some very funny reactions that’s for sure. People’s image of a Mexican dude sitting in some run-down shack on the beach pulling teeth with pliers while enjoying shots of tequila is no worse than them thinking we beer-swigging Canadians skate down our streets, live in Igloos and wrestle grizzlies in our backyards.
I’d been hearing more and more about people going down to Mexico for dental work, especially from Alberta and BC. So, after we had the bomb dropped on us from our Canadian dentist about how much we were going to have to pay, for the dental work that was needed, we seriously had our sites set on a Mexican dental vacation. I began my research and starting reading about all the great work people were receiving down Mexico way. AND the best part, the same work, for only 1/3 of the cost here in Canada. Since we both work for ourselves we have no health benefits, so this was music to our ears.
All roads led us to DentoAmerica in Nuevo Vallarta, a buzzing practice, which in high season can see up to seven dentists working at any one time. Owned and operated by fellow Canadian Kirk and his lovely wife Mireya, who is a dentist herself, the brand new sparkling offices are beautiful and house state of the art equipment. The first email I sent, was quickly responded to, and that set the tone for a great overall experience. After a few emails with Kirk, I was feeling very confident that this was a great fit for us. Plus, I had read all the five-star reviews and saw they were voted the most recommended, five years in a row.
To my best knowledge, considering our last dentist’s advice, we set up the work that needed to be done, time frames and pricing. I booked the flights, the hotel, and we were ready to roll. Soon it would be crowns and root canals by day and sand and surf by night. Yikes!
After two nights of vacation, come Monday morning, we headed to DentoAmerica, which is easy to get to on the main highway by bus or taxi. They are located in the brand new Walmart mall, which was handy for shopping too! After being introduced to the staff, (friendly place) we began our dental part of the vacation. Gord and I both had root canals which were performed by a dentist who loves performing these and that is ALL he does. He is touted as one of the best. The next day, work began on the zirconia crowns, which were plentiful. Six in all. Plus, I had two fillings and one chipped tooth filed. Oh and there were cleanings and digital photographs and x-rays too. Over the two week period, there were some tough long hours in the chair, but also five days off in-between. Kirk had suggested we spread things out and that was very wise, especially since I was the one with the five crowns!!
Depending on the office and materials used, the work we had done would have cost us upwards of at least $15,000.00+ here in Canada. DentoAmerica – $3,200!!!
They take credit cards, bank transfers and if you pay in cash they even give a 10% discount. We took full advantage of that. The savings were phenomenal, and the work was excellent. We were very pleased with the care of the dentists and staff and the warm and personable owners. Overall, we had an excellent experience venturing into this uncharted territory.
If you have had any misgivings about a ‘dental vacation” I hope you don’t anymore. We were able to have a great two weeks in Mexico, save a ton of money, and have an excellent dental experience. Sheesh – did I just write that?
Check them out and have a great dental vacation!! http://www.dentoamerica.com/
Thank you to our guest blogger, Kelita Haverland! Who knew that Dental and Vacation could be used in the same sentence!!
Kelita Haverland is a five-time Juno nominee singer/songwriter, speaker, writer, and comedienne, from Vancouver Canada. www.kelita.com
We loved serving Kelita and Gord at Villa Amor Del Mar as they went through their Dental experience!
Other recommendations:
Dr. Penalva at clinicadentalpm@gmail.com or call 322-221-0165. They are in the Marina Commercial; a little white building by the taco place.
Read another testimonial from another wonderful dentist in Vallarta. Thanks Lynn and David!
Our Mexican Dental Experience
It all started when David went to our High River dentist in early 2012 and was told he was going to need crowns, a filling, and a wisdom tooth extracted. To the tune of 10 to 11,000 CAD. Needless to say, we immediately decided to check out our local Mexican dentist. We have a fractional at Playa Royale which is right down the street from the Paradise Mall. Our Dentist Office is called Dental Integra and they are on the second floor of Paradise Mall, Ph 322-297-7791 I understand they also have a location in Bucerias at the Terralta Mall.
We stopped in and made an appointment for David and on the day went in for an estimate. They did digital x-rays and gave us a written printout of what would be required and the cost. David mentioned to the Dentist that I also needed a crown and could she make a time for them to see me as well. She said no problem come in and sit down right now. I went in and she did more digital x-rays on my teeth and said yes certainly they could to a crown for me as well. I said how much do we owe you for the x-rays, she said don’t worry about it. I was stunned, and very pleased. When was the last time a dentist threw in anything for free? We stayed in Nuevo for 5 weeks and during that time David had a wisdom tooth removed, a filling, a cleaning, and three crowns, I myself also had a crown done. Each procedure had a different specialist take care of him, one specialist came from Guadalajara to remove his wisdom tooth.
At the time they were waiting on their machine to take credit card payments and we mentioned that we could only take out a certain amount of cash each day from the ATM. She said don’t worry about it you can pay when you can. I asked would you take a Canadian check? She said she would and that she would take the amount owed at par as the bill was in USD. The total cost for both David and I was $2798.18 CAD and this was in April of 2012.
We were very happy with the service that we got at Dental Integra and would definitely return. As a matter of fact, I think I will have a cleaning done next time we are there, they always seem to have a 2 for 1 special going on those.
Lynn and David Bailey
Another great testimonial for a recommended dentist. Thanks, Jamie.
Happy days! Dental sunset just saved me 30,000 pesos and 18 months of dental work. This dentist is very creative and highly skilled. Instead of a crown on one tooth and an implant on another, as recommended by both Canadian and Mexican dentists, Dr. Juan Felipe fixed me up in 18 days with a large filling instead of crown and a crown instead of the implant! Thank you, thank you. Hugely impressed and grateful. Dental sunset, Dr Luis Felipe is on Lázaro Cárdenas in Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico, No 502. Beside Lujo lifestyle. 329-298-0173. Fabulous!!!
Thank you, Jamie Jones!
Is Kirk a dentist?
I haven’t gone to them YET but plan to when I return to Mexico in a couple of weeks. According to their website: http://www.dentoamerica.com/team-view/dental-clinic-admin-kirk/
My wife and I just became aware of your dental clinic and woul like an estimate for dentak work.As we will be leaving for home in Canada Friday March 3 we would reqquire appoitments beforehand if at all possible. Our plan would be to
have the work done upon our return next year.