By Karen McConnaughey
I was really pleased to read Judit Rajhathey’s article in this month's issue of in Focus ("What?!? Sick Because Of My Teeth??") talking about taking care of your
teeth. I will admit I’ve gotten a little lax…I can’t believe I’m putting that
in print! I think of brushing your teeth as getting rid of bad breath, and
since I’m a big coffee drinker, it seems as if I always have coffee breath and
I don’t think of my teeth affecting my health other than that. Big mistake.
Judit’s article will help you place the importance back on your teeth and how
they affect the rest of your body and your health.
So now you’ve read the article and you’ve been reminded how
important your teeth are. But… you’ve just moved to Lakeside
and you’re wondering about a dentist. You can’t seem to get over your fear of
finding a dentist in a foreign country. Have we got a treat for you!
Bill and I tried out two different dentists in the Lake Chapala
area, but it took us two years to do it, and that was because Bill was in such pain, he
finally got desperate. After polling our friends, and trying two different
dentists, we both ended up going to Dr. Haro’s office and have never tried
another office since. We were happy; we never heard one bad thing about his
dental practice and we liked the look of his office and his staff. We felt
comfortable there and they spoke English.
Before I took my recent trip to St.
Louis, I decided to have my teeth checked because I
was having a slight pain. For $500 pesos (roughly $40 USD) I had my teeth
cleaned, an ultrasound and an x-ray. We found that one of my old cavities was
degrading. However, it wasn’t urgent and I was able to schedule my trip with no
fears. I made an appointment after I returned to Mexico. And all of my work,
including the cleaning, was done by the doctor herself, Dra. Ana. She’s a
treasure!
My stepmother came to visit us for about six weeks in 2007 and had
extensive work done at Dr. Haro’s office. The same procedures in the United States were
quoted at $10,000 USD; here they cost her $2,800 USD. Her dentist was Dra.
Pilar, and Margie invited her and her whole family to visit her in Ste.
Genevieve, MO some day! She didn’t even ask how big the family was!
Here’s what another one of Dra. Ana’s enthusiastic patients, Marti
Heismann, says about her:
The dentist I go to is
Dra. Ana at Dr Haro's office. She is not only gorgeous and personable with a
beautiful smile, but a very competent dentist who explains all procedures
thoroughly. The office provides you with hi-tech visual computer
imaging…cleans, repairs, adjusts whatever is needed ,,,using the
latest bonding composites; post-procedures repeats,
visual "afters" onto the
screen...you can really be up close and personal with your dental work
as she educates you. All this performed
in a modern, meticulously clean environment that feels like an operating
suite. . A thorough cleaning/exam is $500 pesos (around $42.USD). My cleanings
in U.S were up to $150 USD, and they were done by the dental assistant, not the
dentist!! I've had other composite fillings replaced for $500
pesos each, the second "save." I'm sure they would have done a
very expensive crown in U.S. I LOVE
going to the dentist here!!
Now THAT’S an
endorsement! She LOVES going to the dentist.
My friend Jill Flyer
recommends:
"I can't
really quote prices, because of the ongoing inflation, which seems to change
everything down here from week to week. But the last crown I had was $1600
pesos a few months ago and the last root canal, at most a year ago, maybe less,
was about the same. By the way, Dra. Martha has a specialty in root canal. She
definitely has up-to-date equipment. Her office is called Dental del Lago and
her name is Dra. Martha Medina Corona.
Address is Constitucion #27-A, Ajijic. Phone is 766-4503.
Another friend, Bill, shared his experience with us:
The dentist I went to, to have my teeth whitened, was Dr.Maria Luisa Luis Villa on Colon below the square. She spoke good English, and I was very pleased with the price as well as
the quality of work. As I recall, the Zoom whitening was around 100.00US. (she had a special for one month in August). I also had some other work done at the same time with the total around 225.00US.
Talk to your friends and get some recommendations about who to go to and
who NOT to go to. If you’re on Facebook, just put out the word you’re looking
for a dentist and you’ll have more information than you’ll know what to do
with, and you’ll also start to see a pattern about who your friends like.
Remember what Judit says in her article "Did
you know that gum disease is linked to heart disease and stroke? Research
also suggests that there may be a link between periodontal (gum) disease and
other health conditions such as chronic inflammation, diabetes, respiratory
disease, pregnancy problems, premature low birth weight babies and even
osteoporosis."
We want you healthy in order to enjoy the best years of your life in Lake Chapala!
Dentists:
Since we cannot test out
every dentist (nor would I want to!!), I have to rely on recommendations from friends.
Here are the top ones that have been mentioned.
HH Dental Clinic
Dr. Hector Haro, DDS
Tel: (376) 765-3193 or 765-6410
Dras Ana and Pilar
Oral Rehabilitation, General Dentistry
San Luís #83, Riberas del Pilar
Dr. Alberto Don Olivera (Dr. Don)
Tel: 765
4805, 765 4838
Maskaras
Clinic
Hidalgo # 79-G,Riberas del Pilar
Ajijic Dental Clinic
Dra. Rocio
Vidrio
Tel: 766-3682
Carretera Oriente 58, 2nd floor, Ajijic
Dental del Lago
Dra. Martha Medina Corona
Constitucion #27-A, Ajijic
Tel: 766-4503.
Dra. Maria Luisa Luis Villa
Colon sur 4a, Ajijic
Tel: 376.766-2428
Other dentists in the area
include:
Dr. Eloy Barragán Fernandez
López Cotilla #272-B - Chapala
Telephone: 765 5584
Cell: 045 333 157 0136
Dr. J. Manuel Ayala
Candelas 765-4655
Morelos 163, Chapala
{N. side} Morelos between 5 de Mayo and Zaragoza
Ajijic
Dental
Tel: 766-3682
Carretera oriente N.58, Int.1 (2nd floor)
Across the way from Telmex, beside Laguna Net
Ajijic, Plaza San Juan
Dental
Express
Cell: (045) 331 121 6518
Carretera Poniente #368 Ajijic, Jalisco. CP. 45920
www.dentalexpressajijic.com
Dra.
Delores Russell
Tel. (376) 766-0075, Emergencies cell: (045) 333-1087-727
Plaza Bugambilias,
Local 14, 2nd Floor
Ajijc, Jal., Mex.
I think
Bill and I lucked out, but I hope you don't wait until an emergency forces you
to find a dentist immediately. Take your time and become acquainted with a
family dentist before a crisis occurs.
If you
can, schedule your six-month visits and develop a relationship so when you have
an emergency, they'll make more of an effort to fit you in since they know you.
If that's not your cup of tea, visit a different dentist every six months to get your teeth cleaned until
you find the perfect one for you. If you have a good experience with your
initial visit, it's a good sign that this office is a good match for your
needs.
The bottom
line? Just do it. Remember, when your teeth are gone, they're gone. Although
dentures work, they're not ideal.
And, if
you haven’t already, read Judit’s article…it could be a life-saver!
Karen McConnaughey:
Operations Manager for FocusOnMexico.
Focus On Mexico offers 8-Day
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