By Karen Mc Connaughey
It was time for my dental check-up again. Bill and I had tried different dentists last year based on my unofficial survey of friends at Lakeside. I had tried one in Ajijic Village and Bill had gone to Dr. Haro and Dr. Paty in Riberas del Pilar. I liked everything about Dr. Haro's office...the bright, cheery colors, the friendliness of the staff, the high-tech equipment and the excellent reading material. So I made up my mind that when it was time for teeth cleaning again, that's where I would go. I wanted to try it out for myself.
We made our appointments and since the whole staff understands English very well, there is no communication barrier whatsoever.
When we got there, everyone greeted us with smiles. We had been there quite often, because Bill had had extensive dental work done in the last year.
I met a new dentist, Dr. Ana...hm-m-m-m...Ana, our program director; Ana, our dog, and now Dr. Ana! I'm sensing a pattern here that just might work out for me!
Dr. Ana took me upstairs to a very clean, well-equipped room. First we chatted awhile...she asked if I knew Spanish and I said 'un poco.' I then said, "Estudio espanol, pero no estoy muy buena." (I study Spanish, but I am not very good.) She then started speaking to me in very clear, slow Spanish, and I answered her. We actually carried on a whole conversation...in Spanish!...I really enjoyed it!
Then we got down to business...Dr. Ana did everything herself...she did not have a dental technician as we are accustomed to in the States. First, she performed an ultrasound on my teeth. She used a small camera to transfer images of my teeth to a laptop on the desk. Very high-tech!
I could see from the pictures on the screen, that I had not been doing a very good job cleaning my teeth the past year. Dr. Ana immediately let me know what she was going to be doing and even how it was going to sound. "It shouldn't hurt, but if it does, please let me know." I replied, "Don't worry...you'll be the first to know!"
The equipment she used was high-speed ultrasonic cleaning combined with a water jet and a suction tube. She said while she was cleaning, she would also be doing a thorough examination of my teeth and gums. It was a very thorough and painless procedure. It was also much more complete and intensive than what I had had the previous year. One thing I noticed immediately was that she was extremely careful about wiping my face if the water sprayed. She also did not ask questions, for which I was very grateful. She only made statements...mostly telling me what she was going to do next. There was also very nice, soothing music playing in the room too. I found it very comforting and relaxing.
After she was through, she said she was concerned about my crowns and wondered how long I had had them. When I told her 20-25 years, she said she would like to take some x-rays. She took four pictures, then showed me why she had asked me the question. A couple of my crowns looked like muffin tops (to me, that is!)...they folded over my teeth and created spaces where food could collect, which could eventually damage the bone around the teeth. However, she said if I had had my crowns that long, that everything was fine, and my bones did not look like they had been affected. Thank goodness! Good news about my teeth for a change.
At that time, I also asked about teeth whitening. I drink coffee and red wine, and I knew that my teeth were not as white as when I was younger. I finally understand all the commercials that said you could almost tell the age of a person by their teeth.
There are two different teeth-whitening techniques used at Dr. Haro's clinic. One is done at the office. It takes about an hour and a half, and uses a machine they have available there. It costs about $400 USD. With the other, a mold is made of your teeth, and you are given a gel to use every night for about two weeks. That would cost around $300 USD. I already knew which one I would do...I do not go to sleep easily. I never have, so anything that interferes with that process is not something I would readily do on a regular basis. Before I had a chance to say anything, she said she would prefer to do my teeth in the office. And, then she said, "Think about it and let us know. You don't have to make a decision now."
Because the shape my teeth were in, I was in the chair for an hour and a half. She apologized...she said she knew I must be exhausted. I said, "no apology is necessary; obviously I haven't been doing a good enough job on my teeth, and I promise to floss!" She just smiled...
When I went downstairs, Bill was sitting waiting for me. He had been in to see Dr. Paty for a check-up and a cleaning also. But his news wasn't as good as mine. We only had his upper teeth fixed last year, and now his bottom were badly in need of repair. It was going to require some pulling of teeth and a plate at a cost of around $950.00. It was a blow, but something we both knew was coming...long overdue as a matter-of-fact.
For both of our procedures (including my x-rays), the cost was only $900 Pesos... approximately the rate of my co-pay ($40) when I had dental insurance in the States over three years ago. Who knows what it is now?
I was very appreciative of Dr. Ana's care and concern. I honestly felt as if my teeth were her teeth, and she wanted to keep them as healthy as possible for both of us!
I have definitely found my new dental office, and I promise I'm going to floss and make an appointment every six months.
So how do you go about choosing a dentist? We all have heard that dentists here are less expensive than they are in the States, and even though some are a little pricier than others, when it comes down to it, the only thing that's really important is whether he or she is the right dentist for you. If you have a core group of friends, whose advice you respect, that's your best way of finding out who the right one is or, more importantly for me, who the wrong one is. It's much better to do your research first before resorting to trial and painful error!
Once you've made your decision, I would recommend making an appointment for a consultation for your first visit, or if it's time for a teeth cleaning, that's a perfect way to assess your comfort level with a dentist. Make your appointment by phone...that way you can find out if they speak enough English for you, or you speak enough Spanish for them.
When you get to the office, you're the only one who can decide what is most important to you when visiting a dentist...what elements must be present for your comfort level? Some things to think about:
- Are the reception and waiting areas attractive and welcoming?
- Is the office staff friendly, polite and helpful?
- Do you feel comfortable with their level of hygiene? Did the staff use proper gloves and masks?
- Did they spend enough time with you and answer all your questions? Were all your questions answered in a way that was understandable to you?
- If necessary, did you feel comfortable taking notes?
- Were they upfront about fees, time schedules and payment plans before any additional treatment was scheduled?
- Do you know how they deal with nervous patients?
- Do they make you feel important...a valuable client?
- Are they accommodating to your schedule? If necessary, can they schedule appointments in the evenings?
- Do they have a contact number for emergencies?
Don't wait until an emergency forces you to find a dentist immediately. It makes sense to become acquainted with a family dentist before a crisis occurs.
Take your time. If you can, schedule your six-months' visits and develop a relationship so that when you have an emergency, they may make more of an effort to fit you in since they know you. Dr. Paty always seems to have time for Bill when he calls. Of course, she knows he never calls unless it's a real problem. One time, after he went there because his mouth was sore, she looked in his mouth, and said, "Oh my friend, why didn't you call sooner? This has been very painful for you, yes?" I almost got the feeling she felt his pain herself!
But whatever you do, just do it. Remember, when your teeth are gone, they're gone. Because, although dentures obviously do work, they're not ideal. As a matter of fact, I read recently that people requiring dentures are classified as handicapped according to the World Health Association. That was a shock for me. Just from personal experience, I know when older people with dentures have difficulty chewing, they stop eating the things that are good for them (like fruit and vegetables), which then result in many more health problems. There are enough things to worry about as we grow older...I always felt dental health was at least one thing I might have a little bit of control over; and now that I feel we've found our perfect dentist, I feel I have regained that control.
Good luck. I know you'll be as surprised and delighted as both Bill and I are with the quality of dental care here at Lakeside.