Why are dentists so expensive?

[southy]

So recently had some dental work done one tooth - $4,000. I feel like I didn't have a choice. Another dentist will probably charge the same. Mexico? Thought about it. Anyone else experiencing dental financial drain?

[Queen K]

I know people who went to Mexico and it was way cheaper.

I suspect the financial drain is from all the expenses training, lease space, trained professional staff, insurance and supplies and equipment.

[Even Steven]

So recently had some dental work done one tooth - $4,000. I feel like I didn't have a choice. Another dentist will probably charge the same. Mexico? Thought about it. Anyone else experiencing dental financial drain?

Huge expense to attain proper certification, huge expense to run the practice, huge expense to be insured against malpractice...

[Lore]

So recently had some dental work done one tooth - $4,000. I feel like I didn't have a choice. Another dentist will probably charge the same. Mexico? Thought about it. Anyone else experiencing dental financial drain?

WOW! OK, I have to ask (although you don't have to tell me) what did you get done on one tooth that cost $4,000?
I'm think a crown?

[Bsuds]

Our Dog broke a tooth and it cost $1000 to get it pulled.

A friend had major dental work done and went to Thailand. It was cheaper to get it done there including the trip costs.

If I was you I would get another quote.

[oneh2obabe]

WOW! OK, I have to ask (although you don't have to tell me) what did you get done on one tooth that cost $4,000?
I'm think a crown?

I'm thinking dental implant - if I remember correctly, crowns can cost between $800-2,000 depending on which type of material you decide on.

[dirtybiker]

I broke my last dental procedure down to a 'by the hour' rate.

It worked out darn near exact to what I would have billed out
for my services for the same amount of time.

When looked at it that way, My mind justified the expense as
more reasonable than first blush.

[normaM]

Probably because when you have a toothache you willing to pay any amt
I find them very expensive, would never go abroad for dental work, known ppl who had misery when they returned home
Hope your tooth is better now OP

[OKkayak]

I prefer to just do my own:

[Babba_not_Gump]

WOW! OK, I have to ask (although you don't have to tell me) what did you get done on one tooth that cost $4,000?
I'm think a crown?

I'm thinking dental implant - if I remember correctly, crowns can cost between $800-2,000 depending on which type of material you decide on.

My wife had implants done last year. $9,200 for two and then a bridge which cost $4,200. I seriously considered having it done in Mexico as we were heading that direction about three months later, but the problem came on way too fast.

We know of a number of people that have dental work done in Mexico, quality work and incredibly low priced. But if we were to do it in Mexico, I would want to be there for at least a couple of months following the procedure.

Here's the most popular Mexican destination for snowbirds, Los Algodones. Just outside of Yuma.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Algodones
https://www.algodones.mx/

If you check it out on Google Maps you will see a huge parking lot on the US side. People park there and walk across. Dental, medical, prescriptions, optical, you name it, they got it.

Yeah, our dentists are a huge rip-off.

[mexi cali]

Here's the most popular Mexican destination for snowbirds, Los Algodones. Just outside of Yuma.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Algodones
https://www.algodones.mx/

If you check it out on Google Maps you will see a huge parking lot on the US side. People park there and walk across. Dental, medical, prescriptions, optical, you name it, they got it.

Yeah, our dentists are a huge rip-off.

Consider the reason it is so much less expensive to get work done in Mexico. The cost of living is a fraction of what it is here. That is why it is so much less. Many Mexican dentists acquired their degree in the US or Canada and then they go back home to practice. They have all of of the skill with a fraction of the expense so yes, it is far less and you get a vacation in the mix as well.

$350,000.00 tot get your degree here. Our local most recent guy to the mix paid 2M to outfit his clinic. That is a lot of fillings. There is no comparison between the two.

Dentists have to basically become doctors before they become dentists. They take all of the same courses for almost the first two years in order to be able to do what they do in your gross, disgusting mouth.

I have family down there. Yes, you can walk across the border but you should never do it unaccompanied. Most professional service providers there will set you up with an escort to get you there and back. Very dangerous border town.

[Catri]

I think part of the reason for the high cost of dentistry is the fact that most people seem to have some form of dental insurance coverage now. If everyone had to pay the full shot on their own, the rates, which are set by dentists' professional organization, would be lower because many more people would simply not be able to pay for proper, modern dentistry at the current rates. In short, their business would suffer if they didn't provide service at lower rates.