With the skyrocketing costs of healthcare in America, many patients are beginning to look outside of the US for their health and dental care. Because of Latin America’s reputation for healthcare quality and as an enjoyable place to rest and recover post-surgery, many nations in Latin America are becoming popular destinations for medical and dental tourism. Mexico is a common and popular dental care destination. But many Americans are discovering that it can be “hit and miss” when it comes to quality. While there are many excellent dental providers in Mexico, many patients are concerned that it is becoming more difficult to know which ones are really good…and which ones are scam artists.  People seeking the lowest prices are often preyed upon by unscrupulous dental clinics that make promises for quality and often leave the patients with incomplete work which costs even more to fix when they get back home.

While it’s true that this same thing happens in Costa Rica, most patients report being highly satisfied with their dental care experience, and would gladly refer their friends and family to come back and experience the same quality care.  Additionally, Costa Rica does not suffer from the same safety concerns as Mexico. While Costa Rica does have some problems with petty theft, violent crime against tourists is almost unheard of in Costa Rica. As a small peaceful country, Costa Rica has been able to maintain a very positive reputation as a safe, family friendly destination.

Costa Rica is developing a reputation as a regional leader in dental healthcare due to high quality care, use of cutting edge materials and equipment and high levels of patient satisfaction. Recently one American dental tourist described a dental tourism trip which cost one-third the cost of dental surgery in the U.S. This trip included the cost of dental surgery, airfare and hotel along with a memorable vacation experience. Because of its relative proximity to the United States and the fact that hundreds of thousands of North Americans have had good experiences in Costa Rica, the perceived value of care in Costa Rica is much higher than care in Mexico.

Prices for dental care in Costa Rica are sometimes 25% higher than the prices for the same work in Mexico.  But many patients report that the work is not the same.  Visit a Topix.com forum board and read hundreds of patient reports that discuss dental work that left them with a poor fit and poor quality materials that cost them a considerable sum to repair.  Most Costa Rica dental care forums report a generally high quality of care and patient satisfaction.  While pricing is higher in Costa Rica than in Mexico, the clear consensus among most patients is that the price increase is worth it for the safety and security of receiving high quality care.  It’s also important to consider that even though Costa Rica is more expensive than Mexico, Costa Rica still offers savings of 50% to 80% when compared to most dental prices in the USA and Canada.

Costa Rica: Regional Specialists in Dental Care

As Patients Without Borders reports, one of the biggest advantages to Costa Rican dental care is simple: while dental tourism is newer in many countries, Costa Rica has consistently set the standard for positive patient experience for decades, even providing travel planning and recovery resorts, which dramatically reduces the stress of planning an international trip to the dentist.

This all-inclusive dental experience ensures that your entire experience has often already been planned in advance to maximize a patient’s comfort and confidence.  It also helps patients relax and really enjoy their time in Costa Rica. While many patients may be afraid to venture out on their own in many locations in Mexico, Costa Rica offers a safe place to go out and explore by yourself or with friends and family.  When patients transform their trip to the dentist into a vacation, everyone wins.

Getting Dental Care in Costa Rica

When seeking dental care providers in Costa Rica, it’s important to remember that every doctor is different.  Some dentists are skilled in providing dental implants while others are dental surgeons or even general dentists. Patients are advised to do their homework and read reliable patient reviews before making a decision.  Experienced patients make use of sites like Flikier Dental Institute to help them find the right information that offers the ideal fit for their needs.

One of the great things about the internet is that it allows patients to see, read and learn from other patient experiences. Take advantage of sites like these that post patient reviews. By doing a little research, you’ll increase your odds of making the right decision.

In the end, whether or not you choose Costa Rica or Mexico, the important thing is to make an informed decision.  There are high quality providers in Costa Rica and Mexico.  While Mexico hosts a large number of North American dental patients each year, Costa Rica is clearly positioned as the preferred choice for the most discerning dental patients. If you need really low-cost dental care and are not concerned about quality, Mexico may be the answer.  But if you are seeking affordable dental care with an assurance of quality and safety, we think that Costa Rica is the best bet for your money.  But then again…we admit that we are biased!  We love Costa Rica!