Border-Crossing versus Vacation Medical/Dental Tourism

When we vetted our first dental office in 2016, we chose our first location based on several factors. Easy access from the U.S. border, highly trained and experienced dentists, sterilization procedures, quality of dental material that passed our 4-step vetting process, and experience with American patients.

In the following years, there was a higher demand for affordable, high-quality dental care than anticipated. In addition, patients from a wider geographical area were increasing, and it quickly became apparent that one location was insufficient. Still, we wanted to maintain a close hands-on relationship with our dental office staff to ensure we could keep a pulse on the quality of care.

With affordable, high-quality a high priority, we decided to select easy access to dental offices in border towns near the southern states. In medical tourism, this is known as border-crossing dental tourism. Some people prefer border-crossing dental tourism, whereas others prefer to travel further into Mexico, seeking a more tropical destination so they can combine their dental treatment with a vacation.

The Pros and Cons of Border Crossing Medical/Dental Tourism

If you live anywhere along the United States’ southern border, you’ll find Juarez, Los Algodones, and Tiujanna are well-known dental tourism hotspots. These locations don’t have the same tropical vacation appeal, but border towns are a great option if you are limited on time and don’t want to take an international flight.

Border-crossing dental tourism is popular because you can cross the Mexico border from major cities and don’t have to stay overnight in Mexico. Another advantage is you can cross the border with an enhanced driver’s license and a copy of your birth certificate—passports are not required.

Vetted dental offices in our referral programs are located in Juárez, Los Algodones, and Tijuana, Mexico. Local transportation is free including to and from your hotel. A driver from the dental office picks you up, drives you to the dental office, and brings you back when you finish.

Traveling to another country may not make sense if you don’t need major dental work. The exception may be if you live close to the border in the U.S. Everybody’s dental needs are different, so we will help you estimate your dental work costs so you can factor in the cost and time taken to travel to the dentist in Mexico when calculating whether the savings are worth it.

As part of our referral services, Beyond Borders Dental provides recommended hotels for patients and helps you with logistics in the local areas, so everything goes smoothly. Moreover, there are patient care coordinators at each dental office who help you with appointments, answer medical questions, keep you informed of any unexpected border changes, and are your contact when you arrive and return to the U.S.

The Pros and Cons of a Medical/Dental Tourism Vacation

Taking a vacation in a tropical destination while having dental work appeals to many folks, especially when traveling with family or friends. However, unlike border-crossing medical/dental tourism, it does take a little more planning when flying to an international destination.

Usually, when you stay longer, you can get more dental work done and fewer follow-up visits. However, some dental procedures require you to wait a few days while lab work is completed, so this could be your chance to take advantage of the beach, explore the local area, or do some shopping. So longer stays may have benefits, and getting more dental work done in one visit is one.

After extensive research and site visits, we decided the following destinations would be Cozumel, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The dental office in Cancun stood out from its competitors, offering unique services like botox treatment for TMJ and neck lipectomy, an aesthetic surgical procedure to reduce a saggy neck. In addition, the dental office has a team of experienced, specialized doctors with years of experience and a stellar reputation.

Many major airlines in the U.S. and Canada offer direct flights to Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico. In addition, all our dental offices are conveniently located with restaurants, beaches, and shopping within walking distance.

Getting dental work in Mexico can offer you a balance of quality, care, and affordability. In addition, the country is a top choice for dental tourism due to its lower price and proximity to the U.S., making it less expensive travel for travel and shorter travel times. Dental care in our vetted offices is comparable in price and quality, regardless of whether you choose border-crossing or vacation dental tourism. It’s up to you which option works best for you. Our team is here to help you plan and make the best decision.

Traveling to another country may not make sense if you don’t need major dental work. The exception may be if you live close to the Mexico border. Everybody’s dental needs are different, so we will help you estimate your dental work costs to make an informed decision about traveling to the dentist in Mexico when calculating whether the savings are worth it.

If you’d like to take advantage of our free dental referral services or have questions, click this link to receive impartial advice from our expert advisors or an obligation-free quote today.