Unlike most every other Canadian, I think the solution to the dilemma is the free market. The much-maligned American way.
Sure the USA model is expensive now — but with time free enterprise should sort that out.
This article came as bad news to me:
America’s health-care crisis | Desperate measures | Economist.com
Many travel to Mexico to get dental work done. They walk around reeking faintly of clove.
I had fillings done a number of years ago, very happy with the cost as is almost every tourist getting work done here.
This time my needs were more complex: root canals, post, crowns.
There are now so many dentists in Mazatlán catering to gringo teeth that I had trouble deciding which to visit. The Inn at Mazatlán concierge recommended English speaking Dr. Gilberto Cardenas Saucedo.
He did 2 root canals over 3 appointments. Saucedo’s work seems good to me. But ultimately I was disappointed.
As is so often the case in Mexico, there was confusion over the cost. I thought I was getting a post & crown as well. Later he informed me I was getting the root canals only. I paid about US$210 each for the root canal. A post & crown would cost about another US$300. This cost is not much less than I would pay in Canada. And you have absolutely no recourse in Mexico if the job goes wrong.
My mistake was not getting a stronger referral before choosing a dentist. My mistake was not getting a quote in writing before starting the job.
I still believe in Mexican Dental Vacationing. But next time I will do more homework first.
UPDATE: This price for a root canal turned out to be quite competitive. But other dentists are much more up front with total costs for their work than Dr. Gilberto Cardenas Saucedo.
Next travelogue on this trip >> Mazatlán old town.
The Inn at Mazatlán is one of the best resorts in town, no doubt. It’s been my home in Mexico since Katrina first took me there over 20-years-ago.
It is not a perfect resort. None are, of course.
One warning to would-be condo investors in Mexico.
Consider the “carrying costs“.
I paid C$5000 for 1 week a year for 23 years. My “condo Fee” started at US$75 / week / year. Very reasonable.
But when my annual bill reached US$400 for that week, I walked away from my unit, unable to sell a time-share with such a high condo fee.
My brother bought a unit at the Inn at Mazatlán about the time I walked away. His condo fee started low and is now well over US$400. He is starting to have doubts.
Fact is, you can rent a week at a 4-star resort in Mazatlán for US$400.
Be sceptical of pretty people and pretty condo pitches in Mazatlán. Things can only get worse for those who own at the Inn. Americans may be required to get a passport to travel to Mexico by 2007. Many will stop travelling to Mexico. Money will get tighter here.
This will further stifle business in Maz, still disaffected from the decrease in travel from the USA after 9/11.
If you have plenty of money, I recommend the Inn at Mazatlán — but it is cheaper to rent as you go.
The Inn at Mazatlán official website
Rick McCharles 