This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy.

Can You Save Money On Dental Work In Mexico?

Published on August 5th, 2022 by Jennifer Jennings

A woman receiving dental care
RVers getting dental work in Mexico can rest assured that it’s completely safe

Dental Work In Mexico: Could It Save You Money?

Dental work isn’t cheap. Even with good insurance, you can find yourself paying exorbitant sums to get work done. Those high costs can be difficult to cover for many RVers—especially retired RVers on a fixed income. Because of these high costs, many RVers (and Americans at large) travel south to Mexico seeking affordable, quality dental care. 

But can RVers getting dental in Mexico actually save money? And where and how can RVers get dental work done in Mexico? Let’s take a closer look. 

What is medical tourism?

Medical tourism refers to traveling to another country in order to get some kind of medical treatment. The most common treatments are surgeries (especially cosmetic surgeries) and dental treatments. But you can do medical tourism for basically any medical treatment. For most RVers (and most Americans in general), the goal of medical tourism is to save money. 

Sign up for the newsletter today!

Please enter a valid email address.

An error occurred. Please try again later.

× logo

Thank you for subscribing to the Camper Report newsletter, keep your eye on your inbox for updates.

RVers can get dental treatment in Mexico and other countries that’s as good as they would find at home—but at a much lower price. Depending on the country and the treatment, medical tourism can save you 50% or more compared to what you would pay for equivalent treatment in the US. In fact, in some cases, it can be cheaper to book a flight, pay for a hotel, and get the treatment done in another country than it would be to get that treatment done at home. 

Dental work in Mexico: Is it safe?

A common question asked about RVers getting dental work in Mexico (and visiting Mexico in general): is it safe?

Horror stories about Mexico are common to hear, but in fact, they don’t paint a very accurate picture of what you’ll experience when you visit. But rest assured that, if you visit Mexico, you’re (probably) not going to get kidnapped and murdered by narcos

Instead, especially if you’re in a touristy area of Mexico, your biggest concern should really be petty crimes like mugging and pickpocketing. Remember that Mexico is one of the most visited countries in the world, with over 40 million visitors annually. And the vast majority of those 40 some million visit the country without incident. 

As far as RVers getting dental work done in Mexico, you’ll find that dental work in Mexico is just as safe as in the US. In fact, many Mexican dentists receive training in the US and Canada. Those who market to medical tourists are typically among the most reputable, safest, and highest-quality dentists in the country. Such dentists have a strong incentive to build high-quality facilities and provide high-quality treatment in order to attract foreign clientele. 

To help you be extra sure you’re getting quality dental care, look for a dentist affiliated with the ADA (American Dental Association). RVers who get dental work in Mexico from ADA-certified dentists can rest assured they are receiving care from a knowledgeable and qualified dentist. 

Can dental work in Mexico save you money?

RVers getting dental work in Mexico can absolutely save money—and quite a bit of it! Depending on what work you get done, you can save as much as 80% versus what you’d pay for the same procedure in the US. 

For example, an extraction will typically cost somewhere between $150 and $500 in the US (even more in some complex cases). But in Mexico, you’ll pay between $30 and $100—significantly less than in the US. 

Another great example is getting crowns and veneers put in, which are some of the most popular dental procedures for medical tourists in Mexico. In the US, you’re looking at somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 per tooth, depending on the exact procedure and material. In Mexico, you can pay as little as $200 per tooth, with more expensive crowns topping out at around $600. 

These are just some common examples, and prices vary based on the procedure and the exact dentist you get it done with. But generally speaking, RVers getting dental work done in Mexico will save at least 50% versus what they’d pay at home. 

A variety of dentist’s offices occupying a building in Los Algodones, Mexico
One of the most popular places for RVers dental in Mexico is the town of Los Algodones, also known as “Molar City.”

Popular places for RVers to get dental work in Mexico

There are a lot of popular places for RVers to get dental work in Mexico, especially near the US-Mexico border and other tourism-heavy areas. 

Many of the most popular cities for RVer’s dental work in Mexico are found in Baja California. This is one of Mexico’s northernmost states, located just across the border from California. 

Perhaps the most famous town for dental work in Baja California, and in Mexico at large, is in Los Algodones. Located south of Andrade, CA, and west of Yuma, AZ, Los Algodones is a hugely popular destination for dental work, with approximately 600 dentists working there. This has led to it being nicknamed “Molar City.” 

Besides Los Algodones, Tijuana (across the border from San Diego, CA) is also a popular destination in Baja California. Just south in the state of Baja California Sur are other great options for RVers seeking dental work in Mexico, such as Los Cabos. 

Other popular destinations for dental in Mexico are the capital Mexico City, the city of Guadalajara, and Cancún. However, being located in central and southern Mexico, these cities aren’t as easy to reach for RVers compared to more northern states. 

Conclusion

Having your dental work done in Mexico is a great way to get affordable dental care and save money. Mexico is a hugely popular destination for medical tourism. Getting dental work there can save you as much as 80% of what you’d pay in the US. And rest assured: getting dental work done in Mexico is absolutely safe. 

So, the next time you need dental work, consider taking a trip south of the border. You might have such a good experience that you never go to an American dentist ever again!

For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campground Reviews and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. Campground Reviews is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes specific to your RV and travel preferences.

Been to a campground lately? Don’t forget to leave a review! Reviews help other RVers like yourself, and they help the campground. Leave a campground review today!

Related articles:


About the Author:




8 thoughts on “Can You Save Money On Dental Work In Mexico?”

  1. Beat the USA dentist ripp off system go anywhere but USA , unless you like to get rob , zirconia crowns $480 usd find those prices in USA , thats why they don’t have a price list in USA , do your homework they are many places where to go , , mexico , turkey , Colombia , anywheres but USA , spend 6k or spend 20k , your choice , good luck , im proud to said I beat the ripp off system , cheers

    Reply
  2. My husband and I have had dental work done in Cancun at Cancun Dental. They were incredible and a fraction of the cost. We flew in and stayed in a resort and with all the costs still less expensive. The dental office picked us up at the airport dropped us off at our hotel and transported us back and forth to the dentist.

    I was nervous the first time. If you have questions reach out I’m happy to share our experience.

    Reply
  3. I have work done in Mazatlan fairly routinely and while they don’t bill my dental insurance they give me all the info so I can do it when I get home. Saves me lots of money . Just make sure your insurance covers dental work done in Mexico.

    Reply
  4. been to Algodones my question is where to stay now the RV camp ground Sleepy hollow is closed .
    Safe place to shop also

    Reply
  5. We have had dental work done basically all over Mexico. Most times it was excellent, equal or better than the USA and usually about 20 to 30 % of what we would pay north of the border. My 1st dentista was a USC graduate. Often the dental equipment was older. I would rather spit than have my tonsils sucked out.

    Reply
  6. Naturally I can only speak about my own experiences. I go to Mexico every time I need any expensive dental work! I use BRIO Dental. The owner, I believe, is an American, makes all the arrangements. They suggest local hotels, near the border and transport you over the border to the dentist and bring you back. This makes the whole trip VERY convenient. It seems like the American bringing you back and forth over the border has some sort of arrangement with the border patrol. As far as the dental work, I think it is very good. First, keep this in mind! Nobody is going to make a trip to Mexico for relatively inexpensive dental work. It’s the high end work that makes the trip worthwhile. Secondly, the Mexican dentists are not doing much low end dental work either. That means the Mexican dentists are doing high end, expensive dental work EVERYDAY. Which means they have plenty of practice and have dealt with many different dental situations. EXACTLY what you want from a dentist doing expensive, high end dental work! LOTS of experience! Your local USA dentist is doing high end work sometimes! If you go to an American dentist doing high end dental work everyday, you’re going to pay even more! My stepson came from Connecticut for his work. He saved thousands of dollars! As mentioned earlier, I have been there, my wife and a friend of ours. Everyone was VERY happy with the results. My wife was a dental assistant and she was impressed with the Mexican dentists, their office, their ways! I wouldn’t hesitate to go back if the need arises. Brio-dental.com, check them out. Their website shows the people, prices and pictures! They’re the BEST!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Welcome! Please follow these guidelines:

  • Be kind and respectful.
  • Keep comments relevant to the article.
  • Avoid insults, threats, profanity, and offensive remarks.
  • Refrain from discussing gun rights, politics, or religion.
  • Do not post misleading information, personal details, or spam.

We may hide or remove comments at our discretion.