FYI Dental and Glasses in Los Algodonas, Mexico

I know several of you are interested in hearing about our opinion of our dental and vision experiences in Los Algodones, Mexico.

They are a bit mixed. I just had my teeth cleaned. I feel the dentist did not do as deep a job as my American oral hygenist. He seemed a bit tentative, but after years of having the same lady doing my teeth, and my encouraging her to really "dig in", I am not surprised. The cleaning was a painless experience, and the cost of $30 was 1/3 of what I pay in Califonia. I would not hesitate to do it again the next time we come this way.

Craig had a periodontic procedure. His last lower-right molar, which anchors a 3-tooth bridge, started hurting in February. Our dental clinic in Los Gatos drained an infection from there, and wrote recommended treatment procedures which he brought to the same periodontist who did his front teeth in November. He says it's hard to judge the results for a week or two. His treatment cost $210. It would probably cost $1000 in the US.

We both got new glasses. Craig got single vision transition glasses for driving, and is quite happy with them. The cost was $169. I got progressive Varilux lenses in one pair, and transition polarized sun glasses for my second pair. My cost was $378 for both. I am pleased with the regular glasses, but a bit doubtful about the sunglasses. Because they are more curved, the close vision is not as good as I would like it to be. I have to say that the gal at Best Optical told me they would not be as good as a flater style, but I went ahead and ordered them anyway.

 I brought my own prescription that I got in California from a good opthalmologist before we left. The sunglasses are for hiking more than reading, and I choose a more wrap around style for wind protection. I have dry eys, so they should be do the job.

They were all made in one day.  We got there about 11:00 am, and picked them up by 3:00 pm. Because non-glare takes several weeks we passed on it.

So there you have it. I think going to Los Algodones is cost effective and safe. I highly recommend the place. And if you go with the right attitude and a lot of patience, it's fun to visit!

Just smile and say no to all the vendors unless you really want a plaster donkey or turtle.  I did give some change to a couple of accordian players, and bought some fresh strawberries while we waited in line to get thru customs.  I ate them "out of hand" and I guess I'll know in 24 hours if I will get Montezuma's revenge because I didn't wash them myself.