Dental Tourism to Mexico

That dental survey post is rather out of date but here is up to date news on dentistry in Tijuana. 

It seem to be  better to go to a dentist who is NOT right at the border from my observations and those of friends.  But that of course is a matter of opinion.  If you would go to a cut rate dental clinic in the USA to save $. These border based dentists are very similar. I have heard this  about dentists located  at the border in other border towns.                                                                                                                           

Best dentist in TIjuana    Raul Mendila DDS
002-52-664 634 0933   In the Zone  Rio Area (think of it as TIjuana's Beverly Hills) near the intersection of Plaza Fiesta and Paseo dos Heroes.......across from the Cultural Center.

9415-B  (upstairs)

I did not go to a dentist in Mexico for the first three years I lived in Playas.
When I finally had to go for emergency bridge work, I was very apprehensive.   Not to worry.  His actual office is on a par with my dentist" in Newport Beach, California. The waiting room is not as posh but pleasant though  smaller.  But his prices are sooooooo much lower.
Full set of xrays, deep cleaning (it had been three years) $50.  He was able to save my bridge. Replacement would have been just $800.  Bridge had cost $4600 in Newport Beach, just five years earlier.  I had telephoned my dentist in Newport Beach  when my bridge problem came up and he
(without seeing me) said it was obvious that  I would need a new one.
This was the final motivating factor that  sent me on my first initial visit to  Dr. Mendila.   His attitude was "let's see if we can save it!"  And he did.   I did not have to get a new one.  His bill for his work on my bridge was $50 after I had a root canal.                 

His colleague did a root canal for me in 35 minutes which was pain free.  She followed her progress on a  "monitor" which showed her exactly where she was in my mouth and what she was doing.  PAIN FREE and $180 in 2010. It was my 11th root canal and the best ever done for me.   

I have a very low threshold for pain especially with dentistry.  I have had NO pain at any visit.  (In California I needed pain medication even  for cleanings!!!!!!!!!!!!! which are torture with out that). Dr. Mendila did the cleaning himself.


Dr. Mendila
is located about a $10 (USD) taxi ride from the border crossing with a Taxi Libre (Yellow Cab will rip you off)  011-52-1-664 228 1111 to arrange for  a Taxi Libre with an English speaking driver to meet you at the border crossing. Dr Mendila  speaks excellent English, his office staff not so much but no worries it won't be a problem. HE is very accommodating to US patrons in scheduling and possible delays etc.

I would recommend him highly. In fact I can't  recommend him enough !   The hour long  trolley rid  from San Diego is just 2 dollars  ( It is  a short bus or taxi  ride from the airport to a trolley stop)..  The trolley stops at the train station.

Speaking as someone who has been  highly dental- phobic my entire my life and as someone who is  allergic to many dental medications........and definitely allergic to PAIN (LOL)  Dr. Mendila is my dentist for life!.