Finding the right dentist is like searching for your true love—you need to find someone who you can trust and be comfortable with, in hopes of a lasting relationship. Like true love, the right dentist can be a bit hard to find, especially if you do not look what you are looking for. Dental tourism can make this search a lot harder, since you are looking for the right dentist on another country.
Thanks to the proximity of Tijuana, Mexico to San Diego, California, finding the right dentist can be a little easier. Word of mouth is one of the best sources for referrals, as is the Internet with its millions and millions of users who love to declare their opinions publicly. However, it is not enough that someone refers you to a particular dentist in Tijuana, Mexico—you will also have to consider other factors to ensure that the dentist is right for you. Here are some of these factors:
The kind of practice
You will have to consider the kind of practice the dentist has—the size and the specialty included. Does the dentist specialize in dental surgery, cosmetic dentistry, or does he or she practice general dentistry? You will have to go with a dentist that specializes in what kind of treatment or procedure that you need.
What is the size of the dental practice? Typically, bigger clinics can accommodate more patients not only because of their bigger spaces, but also because of the bigger staff that they employ. A bigger clinic is best for you during emergencies and other unexpected situations, since they can accommodate you easily and provide you with the services that you need. On the other hand, smaller clinics offer more personalized services, which could be preferable if you are looking for a practice to “grow with.”
You might also want to find out if the practice that you wish to frequent is affiliated with other specialists, who they can refer you to in case you need specialized dental care in the future.
How to pay
Sadly, there are very few dentists that offer free services to regular people like you and me—thus, it is important to find out what the payment options for the clinic are. Does the practice accept the kind of dental insurance that you have? Does the practice allow for staggered payments? These will be very important questions that you should ask when visiting a particular dentist for the first time.
The location
Since you are finding a dentist in another country that you are not very familiar with, it is important to find out where the clinic or office is located. The nearer it is to important landmarks or the border itself, the better, since you can easily navigate your way to it.
The facilities
Many dental clinics, including ones located in Tijuana, Mexico, offer their potential patients the option to view their clinics on their respective websites. These pictures will give you a good idea on what to expect on the location itself. The more modern the facilities are, especially when complemented by state-of-the-art dental equipment, the more likely it is that you will be provided service by qualified and knowledgeable professionals.
