Dentists in Merida
Editor's Note: The original Dentists in Merida article on Yucatan Living was written after we had lived here for about two years. Recently we decided that it really needed to be updated. Things have changed in Merida in the first ten years of the 21st Century, but few things have changed as much as the dental and medical services. Private medical facilities in Merida have been updated rapidly and dental facilities have kept pace. With that in mind, we have rewritten the article to give a nod to our historical experience, and to update it with more recent experiences... because no matter how good things get, we always seem to end up spending time at the dentist!
Not A Walk in the Park
Visiting the dentist has never been a favorite activity of ours, and to this day, the only thing that makes it a little bit easier here in Merida is that it is definitely más barato (cheaper). After many experiences in the dental chair, we have decided that our ideal dentist is detail-oriented, sanitary to a fault and has a great smile. A dentist with good magazines in the lobby or a television to watch for distraction is also a nice plus. Lots of diplomas on the wall can be soothing, and a good chairside manner is important. We are happy to say that we know a number of dentists who have those qualities here in Merida. In fact, the longer we are here, the more good dentists we meet (and hear about) and the happier everyone seems to be with their dental work. Merida has a good dental university (UADY) and every year, they churn out more and better dentists, many of whom choose to stay and set up practices in the area.
Female Dentists
In fact, here is an interesting side note on the subject of UADY. One of our dentists told us that in mid 2011 the MAJORITY of students in the UADY Dental School were female. So while there is a growing contingent of female dentists in Merida now, we expect that contingent to explode in the next few years.
Our First Visit, Lo! These Many Years Ago
About six months after we first moved here, we made our first visit to a Yucateco dentist, who had been recommended by an expat friend. The dentist, who spoke very little English, invited us and our daughter into the examining room, where the dentist chair sat to one side of a large room. The room also held his instruments, his desk, a few chairs, a sofa and a television set to that day's soccer game. During that initial visit, each of us received a checkup while the other two sat and bemusedly watched the game on TV. The family living room atmosphere severely disturbed our sixteen-year-old daughter, who vowed never to return (you know how teenagers are... she did eventually). We thought his work and prices were pretty good, so we continued to go to this dentist for a few years, and often the television was turned off. We didn't need much work during that time, and any work he performed on us was professional and held up well over the years, though eventually we too found the environment a bit unconventional. Whether it was the living room atmosphere or his charming but hard-to-understand sister who served as his receptionist, we eventually elected to switch to a local dentist who spoke English.
A Dentist Who Speaks English
Office of Dr. Jesus Sanchez
One of the first new dentists we worked with was Dr. Jesus Sánchez Ruz. Dr. Sánchez is a young pleasant man with a lot of diplomas on his wall, most of which are from UADY (Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan). He spoke good English six years ago and it has only improved since then. His small offices are clean and similar (though smaller and more humble) than what we would expect in the States. He even has English-language magazines in the waiting room, and a television! And yes, he has a great smile which he uses a lot. He also has a dentist wife, who is an orthodontist and sometimes serves as his assistant when she is not serving her own patients.
You Won't Be Laughing
As a rule, we are not afraid of the dentist, though we have been known to prefer a little nitrous oxide for the nastier or longer procedures. Nitrous oxide is not permitted in Mexico, however, so here we do without. We have been told that if you do have a fear of dentists or are going to undergo a painful procedure, besides novacaine, dentists can prescribe something to relax you, such as Valium or Xanax, or they can give you drops of a fast-acting sedative. So far, we haven't need any of that, but it is good to know it is there.
Modern Equipment
In the offices of Dr. Jesus and almost every other dentist we have seen, all the equipment is new and modern. A former neighbor across the street from our old house on Calle 49 was DOMS, a dental supply distribution company that has been growing leaps and bounds over the past few years.
Office of Dr. Diana Navarro
The same dentist chairs, trays, drills and other gadgets that are on display in the DOMS office and that can be found all around the USA and Canada, can be found in all the local dentists' offices that we have visited in the past few years.
Did you know that Merida is the dental capital of southern Mexico and neighboring countries like Belize, Guatemala and Honduras? Clients even come to Merida from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Dentists we interviewed told us their patients come from all over the hemisphere and sometimes from around the world, because in Merida, you can find a great dentist, the quality is excellent and the price is right.
Do Ask Around
Some dentists we interviewed cautioned us about dentists who advertise heavily to the gringo community, but are not very good at their craft. A norteamericano who comes down for a dental visit with a wallet full of dollars may end up a pescado (a catch), and the unscrupulous dentist will not suffer from bad word-of-mouth (pun intended). So if you are going to a new dentist in Merida, we encourage you to discuss your choice with people who have used that dentist before (or ask the expats you know who THEY see, or read our comments, or visit our advertisers, all of whom we know personally).
Prices of Dental Work in Yucatan
Office of Dr. Javier Camara
Prices for dental work are famously lower than prices in the States and Canada. We polled the dentists on our list, and prices for a checkup ranged from free to $500 pesos . Prices for a filling are between $350 to $700 pesos and $250 to $600 pesos for a cleaning. We know from talking with fellow expats that the prices of more expensive procedures like implants are somewhat lower than in the States, but the real savings is in crowns, bridges, other aesthetic procedures and orthodonture.
Dental Offices and Appointments
Unlike in the States, even today many dentists here do not have offices in upscale medical buildings. When we first moved here, we were a little uncomfortable about that, but now, just as we have gotten used to the idea, there are also new dentists working in what we would consider traditional medical-building environments. One dentist explained that his less-than-fancy office made it possible for him to keep his prices lower so that everyone can afford his services (he estimated that his clients are 50% Yucatecos and 50% extranjeros). He also told us that he is able to always keep one room and one dentist "unscheduled" so that people can get emergency treatment with very little notice.
Speaking of appointments, we have found that any dentist we called was able to give us an appointment within a week to ten days, and often we can even see the dentist the next day. Some of the more popular English-speaking dentists are getting a little busier, but it is still easy to make an appointment. Coming from California, where dentist appointments need to be made months in advance, this is a welcome situation.
Personal Attention From Your Dentist
Perhaps the most important feature of dentistry that we have noticed here is the level of care and attention paid by dentists, and this has not changed in the ten years we have been going to dentists in the Yucatan. A friend of ours had a series of implants over the course of a year. His dentist went to the various specialists appointments with him. He was on call any time for problems and he paid an unexpected (though welcome) amount of attention to our friend's well-being and the outcome of the procedures. Another dentist told us that his Number One rule is to treat every client as if they were a member of his family. Knowing what we now know about how Mexicans feel about their family members, we can see that this is a very good strategy, for both dentist and patient.
Our experiences with Dr. Jesus can give you another example. When we are done with a treatment, Dr. Jesus takes us into his tiny office with its wall of diplomas and sits down behind his desk. He asks how we are and if we have any questions. He discusses our future treatment and makes an appointment if necessary. He gives us a bill and takes our payment. (Dentists are usually paid in cash, but a local check is usually okay and most now take credit cards as well). What he does not do is rush us out the door so he can see his next patient.
Another dentist we frequent is Dr. Diana Navarro. On a recent trip to the beach, she actually found, saved and later gave to us a rock that matched some rocks we had been wearing on a necklace one day in her office. It's a little thing, sure, but indicative of the personal interest that we have found dentists (and many doctors) take in their patients here. We had a dental implant with Dr. Navarro and a maxillofacial surgeon at Star Medica, Dr. Rodrigo Flores Flores. Both Dr. Navarro and Dr. Flores are in their early thirties, and not only have private practices but also teach at the local university (UADY). The entire implant process with them was practically painless, and they called and emailed afterwards, as well as took phone calls on their personal cellular phones, when we had a problem or a question.
A vintage photo in Dr. Jesus' office
Dressed In White
The first time we had an appointment with Dr. Jesus, we learned two memorable things. First of all, when we tried to make an appointment on the 13th of the month, the good doctor told us that Mexicans are also superstitious about the 13th... but when it is a Tuesday, not a Friday. They have a saying, "martes trece, no te cases, ni te embarques" which means "Tuesday the 13th, don't get married and don't start a voyage". (Much more poetic in Spanish!) And we'd like to add, if you are superstitious, you might consider not making a dental appointment that day either (no haces una cita).
The second thing we learned while looking at old photos on his wall. "Where were these taken?" we asked. He pointed out a young man with his foot on the running board of an old Model T (maybe you can see him in the photo above). "That's my grandfather when he was a boy. They took a picture because that was the first time they had seen a car in that pueblo." And what do you know? The men and boys from that pueblito were all dressed in traditional white pants and shirts, and looked just like a convention of... dentists!
So perhaps the Yucatan and dentistry were destined to go hand-in-hand. Have you ever noticed that putting on a guayabera kind of makes you look like a dentist? Verrrry interesting...
Comments
sophie 16 years ago
I stayed at lovely, safe, yet cheap Dolores Alba hotel, wich is close to the central park and everything... walked everywhere, including to see Dr Jesus. It's only $ 460 MX Pesos a night to start for a double, so about 40$ CAN for the room! You can Google their website and book online, and find reviews of the place (and many other Mérida hotels) at traveladvisor.com.
We flew to Cancun for less than 450$ return fom Vancouver, and the excellent air-cond bus took us from the main bus depot there to Mérida in about 3-4 hours I think, for less than 25$ a pop.
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Dr. Emilo Cervera 16 years ago
I am glad to hear of my Colleagues from Merida that are doing awesome work. I also studied in the dental school in Merida. I came back to the U.S. to specialize in Prosthodontics at Loma Linda. Hoping to return to Merida to continue practicing, but for now I set up shop in Tijuana, Baja California. If you are looking for a Yucateco dentist close to the San Diego border for treatment, feel free to contact me at 858-201-6460 or email drcervera@gmail.com
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Bill 16 years ago
Dr. Jesus,
I was led to Dr Jesus Manuel Sanchez Ruiz by the editor of the Mexico Insider a pub of International Living.
Wrote an email to Dr Jesus and got a prompt reply with estimates for 2 implants at 1900 USD each. I had an abscess on a a tooth and had to have it removed here in the USA before I went to Merida. I made arrangements for the trip and appointments with Dr Jesus after arriving in Merida. Was scheduled for the first visit to have a thorough examination, and X-rays of the site. Then scheduled for the big visit to have the implants placed. Everything went well in the office and he went all out to make sure that I was comfortable. The dental surgeon Dr. Rodrigo Flores Flores was there for the exam and he did the surgery for the implants. It was a pain free experience.
I was prescribed Clyndamycina (Antibiotic). I healed well and returned to the USA. This was in September and I returned in Nov to get the implants. Upon examination by Dr Jesus, Dr Rodrigo was called to come check me the same day. The implant that was placed in the space where the abscessed was extracted from did not heal. Dr Rodrigo removed the implant without pain for me and scheduled an appointment for a new site to be prepared and implanted. This being a single implant went even easier than the first procedure and seems to be healing better too. There was no charge for this second surgery. Dr Jesus told me that they were fully guaranteed for the quoted price and to placed successfully. I will return next year for the crowns to be placed on the implants. I am confident that it will be a short quick procedure.
I do enjoy visiting Merida as well as having dental work done by Dr Jesus. The personal attention I received there, is something I have not found in this country.
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Sophie (and Massimo) 16 years ago
... as if my previous email wasn't long enough :-P, I forgot to add something important: the precision and meticulous attention to details both Dr Jesus and his wife displayed after each intervention. They spent a lot of time making sure the surface of each new tooth was shaped and fitted just right, careful about maintaining a comfortable bite... it feels great to finally be able to chew on the crown's side!
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Sophie (and Massimo) 16 years ago
We can't begin to thank you enough for finding wonderful Dr Sanchez for us!! He is indeed a very professional, patient, über-caring and thoroughly charming man. We just got back (to Vancouver) from a two-weeks visit to the Yucatan, and so far so good - we are very pleased with all the care we both received, not to mention the price for it all!
I badly needed to fix a painful molar I broke in Italy, a bridge recemented, a cleaning/whitening, and maybe changing some composite fillings: since I don't currently have a dental plan, I was quoted extortionate amounts in Canada... An extensive search of several alternatives (amongst booming dental tourism destinations such as India, Thailand, Costa Rica, Hungaria, Croatia...) led me to Mexico, and to this site!
I emailed Jesus (don't you love the sound of that? :-P) shortly before our trip, and he promply replied with quotes and a convenient appointment time: he is very patient and willing to fully and clearly answer any questions. Did I mention he speaks excellent English? His little-yet-impeccable business consists in his office, two rooms (his and his lovely wife's) filled with modern equipment, and the waiting room, which is air-cond'ed, comfortable, and Massimo certainly enjoyed the color TV and remote to watch movies while he patiently waited for me during my visits! They are actually so busy, they will be opening another office soon.
I found on my first visit that my broken tooth was bad enough to actually require a root canal, so a specialist (Dr Rafael Hoyos) was called in to (painlessly!!!) tend to it the very same evening: the office is conveniently open from 9:30 am to 1:00pm, then from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm all week, 10:00am to 1:00pm on Saturdays. It is in a quiet street easily accessed by foot from the centro (we were staying at Dolores Alba hotel). Obtaining a same-day visit from such a gentle, skilled dental surgeon in Canada would be simply unthinkable, not to mention paying only 170$ US total for the root canal he performed in two visits!!! And I mean it when I say painfree, I actually came close to falling asleep during his visits. To a patient such as myself, who happens to metabolize the "freezing" so fast I was literally traumatized by the painful dental experiences of my childhood, this was truly a blessing! I had to take antibiotics for a week to clear the root infection, but the clindamycin prescription cost less than 30$, and there are well-stocked pharmacies at every corner in central Mérida.
My bridge was actually cracked and so poorly recemented in my last visit to a flashy Vancouver dentist, that I had a large cavity under it... so I needed a new one. We settled for porcelain-fused to metal, since getting gold/porcelain would have required a little more notice. (Also turned out that this "bridge" I paid 2500$ for in 1999, was actually not even made of porcelain as billed, but some composite onlay... Imagine my displeasure, and you bet I'm looking into this and going after that crook. So much about Canadian dentists, he?)
After careful probing with his optic camera, Dr Jesus could clearly and conveniently show me on the overhead TV what was wrong and needed to be fixed (you can also watch movies or whatever you like on that TV during your visit, but I preferred the music he played... Andrea Bocelli was on the menu! :-P) His two lady assistants are truly gentle, discreet and eversmiling: I admired the fact that they were not afraid to give their opinion during the treatments, and that Dr Sanchez would actually ask for their input for such things as finding the right shade or angle!
Despite all my questions, the several hours-long visits required (squeezed into my 2-weeks trip) and his many other patients, Dr Jesus remained ever gracious, humourous and patient. My comfort was clearly important to him, did I feel any pain, was I too cold?... As mentioned in your article, the unusual level of care and warm attention we received felt very genuine, and is like nothing we experienced before, both in Canada and Italy. He gave us his cell number and insisted more than once that we could call him anytime, and about anything during our trip to Merida.
So I ended up getting a root canal, a porcelain fused crown and bridge, four composite fillings changed, a good cleaning and a bleaching (Opalescence). I was getting so excited about the possibilities, I also got two composite veneers on upper front teeth to even out my smile: there was no time left for other types of veneers, but the ones he made look great and natural. He even gently shaped and polished the canines I always found too vampirish-looking... Needless to say, I am very pleased with my healthy smile! I am still experiencing some sensitivity, but I'll keep you posted. Massimo initially just wanted a good cleaning, thinking his teeth were just fine since he had a nice white smile with no brown spots and experienced no pain...but he was shoked by the bad news that he had several superficial cavities, and so also ended up getting composite fillings - 12 of them! Dr Jesus' wife, Claudia, a tiny, serene and beautiful lady, took care of his mouth while I was in the other room. It was his first experience with Novocaine and needles, so he was very pleased to report feeling no pain at all...
The total cost for all this great work, for both? 29 600 pesos, or about 2800$ Canadian, billed to my Visa!!!! We would have paid several times that amount for half the work here, and even more in Italy. And even more incredible was that we were not charged for things such as impressions and models, several x-rays, the consultations, and Claudia even gave Massimo a night guard for free!
Needless to say, I am very, very grateful for our new favorite dentists - and for your blog! We love to travel, so the experience was even better since we could also explore the Yucatan and enjoy wonderful, safe and colorful Mérida between our visits... we can also soon afford another trip to Europe during the holidays with all the money we saved! We'll definitely be back to see Dr Jesus, and will happily refer friends and family to him: I'll shatter the misconceptions and clichés some people got after they heard I was going to Mexico to see a dentist... No, don't imagine some shady sombrero'ed dude with dirty nails pulling teeth raw with rusty pliers, amongst chicken running in a dirty back alley... Dr Jesus is anything but! :-)
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Marilyn 16 years ago
Went to Dr. Jesus Sanchez Ruz last year for an extraction, posting of three front teeth and a bridge. Quote in Innisfil, Ontario, Canada was just under $4,000 CDN, and wonderful painless work done by Jesus cost $1,450 U.S. (three appointments with only a couple of weeks notice). I am so pleased. We are in the process of negotiating to have a casa built near Chelem and will look forward to using Dr. Sanchez for all our future dental work. As an aside, the publishers of International Living are also clients of his.
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Paul 16 years ago
The costs for implants are much higher there than other parts of Mexico. I have a quote from a highly recommended dentist in Ensenada that specializes in implants. 10 implants including crowns, extractions, scaling, etc. She uses top quality materials, I have been researching this for several months. Her quote is $11,500 total, another highly reccomended dentist in Mexico near San Diego quoted $14,000. I have found a huge range in costs for the same procedures using highly skilled and recommended dentists. $10,000 in India to $30,000 in the US. One dentist specalizing in implants in Florida, Boca Raton quoted $12,500. pwfine@aol.com
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Working Gringos 16 years ago
Me-Shell,
Again, both Dr. Camara and Dr. Jesus will replace old amalgam fillings. We just recently went to Dr. Jesus and he charges $500 pesos ($50 US) to do a filling.
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Working Gringos 16 years ago
Bill,
Both the dentists that advertise on this page are great dentists. They both speak English and they have good prices.
You can call their offices and get quotes for the implants....or email them. If you don't get a reply, let us know and we'll help.
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Me-Shell Mijangos 17 years ago
Aloha from Maui!
My new husband (who is Mayan) will be traveling from Maui to Merida in September. I am looking for a biological and holistic dentist who will extract the mercury from my fillings and replace with a non-toxic substance. I am a bit nervous going to a 'new' dentist but feeling a bit relieved that I found this site. Can anyone recommend a dentist that has experience with this?
Many Mahalos!
Me-Shell Mijangos
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Antonio Anguiano 17 years ago
I have nothing but words of praise for the professionalism and personalized attention I get every time I went to see Dr Jesus Sanchez Ruz, either for a simple cleaning or for a root canal or a crown. We call him the "painless dentist"; I recommend him for anyone fearing a dentist. He will change your perception of a dentists.
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