Costa Rica dental services are surprisingly good
In the past I have written articles and comments regarding the cost of health care in the US and whether we should support the Obama PPACA legislation. I’ve also discussed the potential of getting some services done outside the US for significant cost savings.
I’ve further pointed out that if Medicare allowed payment for such services, the country would save a tremendous amount on its health care costs.
“Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”
Most have heard the statement above, or maybe it was: Put up or shut up. Well, I decided the time had come for me to take the step and put my money and my mouth together. I live currently near Jaco Beach in Costa Rica and have been here for a few weeks, coming with a chipped a molar and an old filling that was cracked. I do have regular checkups, some periodontal work and I have dental insurance.
I expect that for the filling and the tooth repair with a crown the cost would be around $1600 in the US. With deductable and my co-pay, it would cost me close to $900 even with my insurance.
Selecting a Dentist in Costa Rica
On a previous trip to Costa Rica, I spoke with a US colleague, who was having all his fillings replaced by a local dentist. I called him when I arrived to see how things went. He was very pleased and would not hesitate to recommend the doctor. Unfortunately, the local dentist was not in Jaco.
So, I was forced to find an alternative. If possible, it would help show that the system has a range of good providers, just like the US. So I began to ask around, as to who is good and who should be avoided. I was surprised at the amount of choice I had in Jaco, a town of probably 15,000 people. One of the options was a practice that included three females “Dentistas”, all trained at local universities.
My First Visit
The Doctor I met with on my first visit to the Premier Dental Care Center was Dra. Selena Cubero, a dental surgeon, who is on the national board of dentists. It should be pointed out to US readers, in Costa Rica the dental doctors and the medical doctors are all together in the practice of medicine, not separate like in the United States. In this instance her practice is associated with CIMA Hospital, one of three private hospitals certified in Costa Rica by JCAHO, the same organization that certifies US hospitals.
My first visit was exploratory: meet the doctors, learn the services, how they operated and who is their clientele, English language skills, etc. I believe it is very important in health care that mistakes or misunderstandings don’t occur as a result of language skills.
Dr. Cubero took a fair amount of time giving me answers to all my questions, gave me a short tour of the facilities and then examined my teeth. We then talked about what she thought that needed to be done. I didn’t give her any details of the specifics, as I wanted to see how her review would line up with my dentist of many years, a second opinion of sorts. She hit all the key points including a question of getting periodontal work. I was impressed. A half hour later I left without charge, but with another appointment.
On a previous trip to Costa Rica, I spoke with a US colleague, who was having all his fillings replaced by a local dentist. I called him when I arrived to see how things went. He was very pleased and would not hesitate to recommend the doctor. Unfortunately, the local dentist was not in Jaco.
So, I was forced to find an alternative. If possible, it would help show that the system has a range of good providers, just like the US. So I began to ask around, as to who is good and who should be avoided. I was surprised at the amount of choice I had in Jaco, a town of probably 15,000 people. One of the options was a practice that included three females “Dentistas”, all trained at local universities.
My First Visit
The Doctor I met with on my first visit to the Premier Dental Care Center was Dra. Selena Cubero, a dental surgeon, who is on the national board of dentists. It should be pointed out to US readers, in Costa Rica the dental doctors and the medical doctors are all together in the practice of medicine, not separate like in the United States. In this instance her practice is associated with CIMA Hospital, one of three private hospitals certified in Costa Rica by JCAHO, the same organization that certifies US hospitals.
My first visit was exploratory: meet the doctors, learn the services, how they operated and who is their clientele, English language skills, etc. I believe it is very important in health care that mistakes or misunderstandings don’t occur as a result of language skills.
Dr. Cubero took a fair amount of time giving me answers to all my questions, gave me a short tour of the facilities and then examined my teeth. We then talked about what she thought that needed to be done. I didn’t give her any details of the specifics, as I wanted to see how her review would line up with my dentist of many years, a second opinion of sorts. She hit all the key points including a question of getting periodontal work. I was impressed. A half hour later I left without charge, but with another appointment.
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