We are living in times of uncertainty in the political and the financial realm. At the Costa Rica Dental Team, we know that the cost of living in the United States and Canada is not at its best, and when it gets harder to make ends meet, proper dental care suddenly becomes less of a priority. But we are here to tell you it doesn’t have to be.
Did you know you can travel to other countries to benefit from their medical expertise and more affordable costs? Over the last 15 years this idea has consolidated in a phenomenon called medical tourism. In Costa Rica, we were pioneers and were the first dental office to treat patients visiting for only one week. Today, we maintain our mission to offer patients an affordable alternative without compromising on quality.
In our experience, we have found that affordability not only refers to paying less money when compared to something equivalent, but also refers to the cost-benefit relation. Thus, if you end up paying the same, but get higher quality materials, better attention and service, or if your problem is solved more effectively, then the treatment is still affordable. At our clinic, you can save money and get a much better value from your dental treatment. Here are few points on how we manage to do it.
1. We have an onsite lab.
One of the reasons why treatments in the U.S. take so long to complete is because they often outsource their lab work to dental labs outside of the U.S. So, your crowns, bridges, partials and dentures fly to and from different countries before they can even be tried in your mouth. At the Costa Rica Dental Team, we have a world-class dental lab right on our second floor. So, we avoid all shipping costs and delays related to lab work.
2. We charge per completed procedure, not per item.
What we call a “completed procedure” will include all the adjoining items needed to perform the procedure. So, for example, if you need a dental crown, we will charge a flat fee that will include the costs of prepping the tooth, the impression materials, the anesthetics applied, the lab fees, and the costs of cementation. We have found that many dental providers break the procedures into multiple items that soon become a confusing, long list of hidden fees that can easily be used to make them add up.
3. We make ourselves accountable. We offer a 10-year warranty for our work.
This means that we cannot pursue short-lived solutions or practice short-term dentistry. We believe in detailed treatment plans that once they are completed can be expected to last in time. This approach is fairer to our patients because they can view their treatment as an investment rather than a recurrent expense.
4. Our staff loves what they do.
This translates into a more service-oriented approach. We strive to make the entire experience a positive one from the moment you get to the SJO airport to when you are ready to go back. Our staff is friendly, communicative, professional, and helpful. We will always make sure you have the time and attention you deserve.
It is no secret that the overall cost of living in Costa Rica is much less than that of the United States and Canada. On average, you can save between 50 to 70% in equivalent treatments by getting your treatment here. Most patients are also able to afford a vacation in Costa Rica with hotel and food expenses and still spend less than pursuing dental treatment with their local provider. We always recommend doing your research and finding out what works for you. We will be happy to offer a free video consult so we can discuss your treatment options and help you assess how much can you save by getting the dental work you need at the Costa Rica Dental Team.
