Costa Rica News – Global recession and expensive medical and dental care in well developed countries gave birth to medical and dental tourism in Latin America where Costa Rica has become one of the leading nations to provide quality medical and dental services at affordable rates.
However, though dentists in Costa Rica are famous for providing quality dental care, just picking a dentist randomly and going to Costa Rica while leaving everything to chance is a very big mistake because just like in any other country there are dental care providers in Costa Rica who are quite exceptional at what they do and there are some who are not that good. So how do you pick the right dental clinic or find a reliable dentist in this beautiful exotic country?
The first thing to do is get a personal recommendation from any member of your family or from your friends who were satisfied with the dental treatment they have had in Costa Rica. But it does not end there. After getting a dentist’s name make sure to do a thorough research on that dentist to know his or her credentials; check his or her accreditation, see how long he or she has been in the business and what is his or her specialty. Take note that not because someone is called a dentist does not automatically make that person good at all kinds of dental treatments. You may also want to visit the dentist’s web site to get a feel for what he or she can offer.
Consider reading books like “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Medical Tourism,” by Patrick W. Marsek and Frances Sharpe and “Patients beyond Borders,” by Josef Woodman. These books offer good tips on how to find a good dentist and provide wise advice on how to plan and finance your trip.
If you do not know of anyone who has been to Costa Rica for dental service, hit the internet. It is true that you cannot find a complete and impartial directory or rating system for dental practitioners in Costa Rica but a good place to start are travel forum sites whose members were dental patients who have been to Costa Rica. Beware though that some travel forums may be populated by Costa Rican dentists or their staff so be wise in sorting through the chaff to find excellent advice. You may also appraise the dentist’s reliability by knowing how much attention he or she is getting from the media.
The next thing you should do is establish a relationship with the dentist by phone and e-mail. Introduce yourself then explain your situation and what you need done. Do not forget to ask about the costs involved, post-op care and anything that bothers or concerns you. If the dentist or clinic gets back to you right away and is helpful, use it. If not, contact someone else. The same thing applies when you get to Costa Rica: if upon arriving at your chosen dentist’s clinic and you do not feel comfortable or you feel like you are being neglected, trust your instincts and do not hesitate to cancel the appointment and contact another dentist.
Remember, finding a good dentist is not an easy task whether you are in your home country or abroad. You need to put in a fair amount of time and legwork if you want to get the best dental service you can get be it dental implants, porcelain veneers, or a full mouth restoration.
Lastly, enjoy your stay in Costa Rica and make sure to have a great time!
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There is a lot of information to digest when it comes to preparing for your dental vacation to Costa Rica. Entry requirements to Costa Rica, how to find a dentist or dental clinic, what to expect for your specific procedure and so much more.
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