ASK THE DENTIST

by Jose Perez

OUR DENTAL PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS COLUMN IS:  DR. Marco Antonio Sam
DR. SAM IS A GRADUATE OF UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTONOMA DE MEXICO (UNAM), and  is a licensed dental surgeon and member of the Mexican Dental Association. In addition, he has Diplomats in Restorations Over Implants, (the use of  implants to anchor prosthetic dentures),  and Fixed Prosthetics Occlusion ( the practice of correcting an abnormal defect in the patients “bite”).

This past week, www.Mexicomatters.info interviewed Dr. Sam  about  how best to choose a dentist in Baja and the cost advantages of having implants done in Baja as opposed to the United States.
Question: Dr. Sam, how can a English speaking patient determine who is a qualified dentist in Baja California?
Answer:  First - ask the dentist by e mail, if not in person,  for his or her credentials.  A University degree as a dental surgeon in Mexico is the equivalent of a DDS in the United

States.  Mexican dental schools are of equal quality to those in the U.S. and hold their graduates to equal standards for qualification.. 
Second – ask to see the dentist’s  membership certification in  the “Associacion de Colegio de Dentistas". The equivalent of a membership in the American Dental Association. This will provide assurance that the dentist is maintaining his continuing education requirements and is schooled in “state of the art” dental procedures. Not all dentists, whether U.S. or Mexican, adhere to the strict standards of membership in their respective  Dental Associations.

In addition to membership in the dental association, you should inquire about “Diplomados”,  a  certification in the dental specialty addressing your needs. 

In the case of Dr. Sam, a specialty in Restorations Over Implants  and correction of abnormal bites.

A third qualifier should be the  ability to communicate in English and  testimonials from  U.S. or English speaking patients .  Do not be embarrassed to ask for references of any professional, regardless of country origin.

Q. Dr. Sam, what are dental implants?
A: A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a specialist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.

Q. Are Ensenada dentists as well equipped to handle dental implants as dentists North of the border?

A. Answer: Absolutely, as long as the dentist meets the criteria of board certification, dental association membership and a certified specialty in implantation.   Licensing requirements in Mexico are equal to those in the United States,  as are   continuing education requirements for dental association membership.   Many Mexican dentists, like some U.S. dentists,  are licensed but not board certified.  Nor do they retain membership in the national dental association.  Therefore, they are probably not current in new modalities of treatment and dental material or  instrument innovations.

Q.  What are the advantages of having implants done in Baja as opposed to the United States.
A. First allow me to differentiate between dental procedures done in the interior  of Mexico as opposed to those here at the border.  
At the border, dentists interact more with international specialists and innovators because of our proximity to the  United States.  Eighty miles from the U.S. border, we have ready access  to international dental conferences and seminars.  Access  to the latest in dental science is a given among  Ensenada dentists.   
In addition,  almost all of the material we use,  as Baja dentists,  are manufactured in the U.S..  Quality of materials: fillers, prosthetics, bonding agents, esthetic enhancement products, etc. is  essential to providing high  quality  dentistry..  The  dental material and instruments used  by dentists in  California Norte are identical to those used in Baja.   

Because of border proximity, material, from the U.S. is less expensive  for Baja dentists than Mexican products made by  companies located in the interior.

The most compelling reason for choosing dental implants  or any  dental procedures in  Baja is cost.  Costs for surgery  and general dentistry is  typically 40 to 60% less than in the United States. With any professional,   the qualifier of competence is typically years of experience.  I am proud to say that our implant team has enough experience same like in the U.S. on average.  My associates and I have  20  years of combined experience in providing dental implants for U.S. patients.  We have a long list of happy patients who can testify to having a positive result at about ½ the price of a dentist North of the border.

Q. Why is dental care so much less expensive in Mexico?

A: First we do not have to pay exorbitant mal practice insurance premiums. 
Second the cost of rent, salaries for dental assistants,  and other dental practice employees, is a fraction of what is paid to “like” employees  in the states.
Dr. Marco Antonio Sam tel. 1783458, You can find Dr. Sam’s office at the corner of 9th & Gastelum, Ensenada Centro, 2nd floor Plaza Copacabana, look for the Nova Dent sign

 Jose Perez is the founder of Mexicomatters, serving the foreign investor since 1984.
You can consult with Jose by calling 619 819 9369 U.S. Phone or 011 52 646 1766759, see our website www.mexicomatters.info
Jose email: leejose@mexicomatters.info