Over the last decade, the number of American and Canadian citizens that travel abroad to get dental works done has increased significantly. Although there are several options for getting these procedures done, Costa Rica has become a favorite destination for many tourists due to the proximity of the country, the affordable prices and wonderful accommodations.
However, traveling abroad to get any type of medical treatment can be a little scary despite the huge dental tourism movement. So, many people wonder: are prices too good to be true for dental work in Costa Rica? Truth is, in some cases they are, so you need to research as much as possible so you can be sure about it.
Beware of extremely low prices
There are many reasons why many people travel to get dental implants in Costa Rica, but you need to be very careful when selecting your dentists. The Costa Rican Dental Surgeons Association has a fixed rate for treatments with aesthetic purposes to ensure high quality and safety for patients.
However, there are many dental practices that offer prices below the ones set by this Association to attract more patients. But, according to a spokesperson, with such low prices it is simply impossible for these dentists to buy quality materials for the procedures, which means they are probably using low-quality equipment or just reusing materials.
In addition, it is important to check the dentist’s licenses to perform some procedures. For instance, if you are looking to get Dental Implants in Costa Rica, the magic work is the Specialist.
According to Costa Rican Law, a Specialist is a dentist who, after the regular six years of Dentistry, Studied at least two more years (full time) of a specific branch of dentistry. This must be certified by the official Costa Rican Board of Dentists, that review the program and the University that offered the specialty (some programs may not be accepted as specialty, if they do not reach a degree of excellence).
The Costa Rican Board of Dentists prohibits (article 29th, Code of Ethics) the dentists to say or announce a specialty, if they have not accomplished those requirements.
Dr. Anglada is a Certified Specialists in Oral Implants in Costa Rica.
Choosing the right dentist
You need to take your time to do some research.
In Costa Rica there are about 4,300 dentists registered with The Costa Rican Dental Surgeons Association (Costa Rica Board of Dentists, or Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas), which ensures you will get a professional and quality job. You can visit their website and verify if the practice of your choosing is a member and a Specialist.
Remember, the most important thing for getting dental implants in Costa Rica with high quality materials and at good prices, is planning. So, start researching and taking notes and plan your dental tourism trip, with all the safety measures checked, you will love visiting the country and taking some time to enjoy the place.