Dentist in Costa Rica

Did not mean to use "diatribe" as there is no bitterness involved in this thread...meant to say, continuous, going no-where, conversation that has developed. Ciao :)

Cheryl L wrote:

I do not wish for this forum to become a “my dad can whip your dad with his arm tied behind his back” as that is not the purpose that people use this board for. Quite frankly, it begins to sound more like a rant and hard-sell job than a credible tool for people to use and I have no desire to partake in a continuous diatribe as I see that has developed.
I also want to say that chatter1 makes some excellent points…please refer back to post number 152 in which he states to read EVERYTHING…chatter 1, I am SO sorry about your experience with Prisma. I really have seen nothing but bad about them since the advent of these forums.
Here are is the link to another message board for people who need to see viewpoints of dentists not included on this forum.
http://www.medtripinfo.com/forum/18
Thank you.

Sorry, if it sounded that way. There is a www.medicaltourismassociation.com that has tons of information about medical travel abroad as well as educational articles and doctor listings on their Healthbase. They publish a magazine that offers a variety of information as well. I agree with Cheryl, that while these blogs are helpful, we all have our favorite dentist or doctor that we have used and when our experience has been hugely successful, we want to share it. I truly believe that there are many great dentists in CR and other countries and these blogs can help you sort the good from the bad. Then it's still up to you to make the final decision.

It's a SHE Cheryl!:-) I also know what you mean about these dysfunctional city locations.:-) And thanks for your empathy. I've learned a lot from my experience with Prisma Dental, so at least, that's one good thing that came out of it.

I do agree that this thread should be for informational purposes. It should aim to present a full picture by writing about both advantages & disadvantages (the good & the bad). Let's not forget that there are lots of discriminating users out there who can easily differentiate between what's genuine and what's BS.

The only thing I have a hard time reconciling is one person's inconsistencies in their write-ups about their experiences with a particular CR dentist. First, is related to the references. It seems this person wrote that they spoke with some references in their area and also saw some of them. In a later write up, it seems that this person only spoke with the references, but was confident about the testimonies that it was no longer necessary to see them in person. Second, is related to money aspects. If this person stated so many procedures in one post (even named it) and I happened to "google" the dentist's website and calculated all the costs of said procedures, it would have totaled more. It now seems like this person saved way too much. Perhaps, a substantial dental savings could have prompted the compulsion to unconsciously (even consciously) write really "good" reviews of a particular CR dentist?

I think it's time for transparency in this forum. I know what I'm here for, and it's to write about my experience & share them. And I hope someone can learn from it.

BTW, going back to the earlier posts, it seems like there has been one "not-so-good" review about Dr. Anglada, but I didn't count that in my summary (post #152) because it was distastefully done. You have a post negating a dental provider's good standing by recommending another one. How low can some people go?! That was done in bad form. So, post #152 remains an objective summary, but if you want to find out on your own, read this thread in its entirety--from beginning to end. And come up with your own conclusions!

Best of luck everyone!

Sorry for the gender confusion chatter1!!!!! The icon under your name has a masculine quality to it!

I do need some clarification on your statement "You have a post negating a dental provider's good standing by recommending another one."

Who does this refer to as I don't recall doing that?

And hear, hear!!! Wholeheartedly agree it's time for transparency in this forum. I would like to see more discussion about the actual cases and procedures that were done. It can make a huge difference because everyone is so different. I also appreciate your interjections of checking dental schools here in the States. Afterall, even the doctors that are being discussed here got their start someplace!!!

Thanks!!

Good points, Chatter and let's see if I can clarify them.#1. I was given two names of patients from Denver who had had dental work done and I called them. After hearing how happy they were, I didn't feel that I needed to meet with them. Subsequently, they called when they were in my neighborhood,(I live downtown Denver) and I did get to see the dental work.#2. My 4 US consultations told me I needed 4 implants and maybe a bone graft. After my exam in CR, Dr. Cavallini asked me why I wanted 4 implants as I only needed 2. I had a bone graft, 2 implants, exams, extractions,crown prep, temp teeth, impressions metal & Porcelian crowns, class V rsin composite, general cleaning and some whitening. I completed the procedure in 2 trips. Yes, I'm very happy. Yes, I love to refer my dentist because I believe he's excellent and the people I have sent to him have also been extremely happy. Why wouldn't I want to spread the word. The waiting room is always full of patients, as they are in the middle of procedures. You have a lot of time to chat with them and I can assure you, they were all extremely pleased. 3. Yes, I definitely wanted to save money and again, was very happy that the price was a lot lower than originally quoted. But, in no way did the lower price influence my faith in their work. They based their estimates on the procedure sheets from US dentists which I had sent them. I can only speak from my experience and the experiences of people I know from my time in CR, the references, and now the people I refer. In every case, the people have been more than satisfied. I will continue to tout the abilities of these dentists, just as I continue to refer any business that is professional, has great customer service and a quality performance, whether it's my hairdresser, my car mechanic, my doctor or my dentist. Don't you do the same when you've had outstanding service

No, I was not referring to you Cheryl. That statement was based on a prior post (post #88) that mentioned some things against Anglada. You can tell it's lacking in substance & wanting to invalidate one in order to validate another. This goes to show you that people are intelligent enough to read between the lines.

And speaking of giving people the proper credit they deserve, yes, I do give my providers (e.g., healthcare practitioners, hairdressers, manicurists, mechanics, etc.) a pat in the back and a referral as deemed fit, but I don't go overboard with it.

Best of luck to everyone!

Hi, I am looking for a good dentist or orthodontist in CR who would put braces for my daughter. Any advice? Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

lidia wrote:

Hi, I am looking for a good dentist or orthodontist in CR who would put braces for my daughter. Any advice? Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Post #199 provides a link to the CR dental board's website. Check the orthodontics section.

Best of luck!

Thank you

lidia wrote:

Hi, I am looking for a good dentist or orthodontist in CR who would put braces for my daughter. Any advice? Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Due to the nature of the frequent adjustments that need to be made when wearing braces, it is not necessarily cost effective to seek orthodontic treatment outside of the country. Most orthodontists do have a payment plan, often interest free. Good luck!

I just want to correct the name of the dentist listed with Colegia of Cirujanos in Costa Rica. It is NOT Mario E. GaritA, but Mario Carrillo GaritO. I was not able to find him through the internet.

Drs. Telma Rubinstein and Josef Cordero of Prisma Dental in San Jose have a blog at:

http://www.prismadental.com/blog

They are happy to answer questions, though deal with personal treatment questions through email, not on the blog.

Promoting dental services in this blog is unacceptable. This blog is intended as a mutually-beneficial tool for credible information for those users seeking dental treatment in CR & those users who have already sought treatment and can give qualified remarks based on their experiences. Let us not forget that this thread was seemingly started to obtain other referrals because the questionable practices of the most talked about controversial dental office in CR was not good enough for them. Read the entire thread again to see what got this whole thing started in the first place.

Best of luck everyone!

I am certainly NOT a fan of Prisma and don't trust them although my experience is limited to what I have read.

In Jeff's defense, he did present it as an option to get feedback from Prisma. Unfortunately, Jeff was one of the first online evangelists for Prisma and is now an official rep. He is no longer an impartial party. That is unfortunate because anything he says is in question.

I believe that there is some truth in what some of the detractors say. I'm also sure that many others have had great experiences or else they'd be out of business.

Chatter1 is correct in that this forum is for people to report their experiences free of shilling. I have a strong feeling it will serve its purpose well!

I used this forum (Thanks to Cheryl L)to help decide on a dentist in CR so to "pay it forward"...

I used Dr Angalda for several implants and also had 3 root canals. I have only completed the surgical phase so the comments are based only on that.

1. Dr Angalda has all the latest equipment. For example Digital Xray etc.
2. He sat down before the work and went over everything including 2 changes from the original quote.
3. The staff are helpful and English is not a problem.
4. Pain management was a concern and was handled well
5. I did have some post op pain and swelling. The 2nd day I was feeling a little sorry for myself and the doctor assured me that it was normal and by the next day I would feel better ( Day 3) He was correct the swelling was down.
6. Pain was not to bad and pain medication was more than enough.
7. The 3 root canals were performed by Dr Irene and she was professional, good English. Root canals are as much fun in CR and in the USA !!
8. Dr Anglada arranged for transportation from the airport to the Hotel. This is very useful and should be used.(saves money )
9. Overall the experience has been a positive and I would recommend this group.

Hope this helps Good luck

Just the facts mam, just the facts.

Researching dentists in CR is getting confusing. In viewing the thread, I have found, as did Chatter 1 and from what I can tell Cheryl L, that some statements made by Phyllis were contradictory.

I am not trying to play a ‘who done it’, but really, come on...first she met with her references,[post #154, MAY 1, 2009,“He also provided me with many names and testimonials and I called some of the references and also saw some in person.” Then, in a post two months later, she merely spoke with them before making a decision [post #194, July 7, 2009,“I was given references in Denver and talked to both people for a long time. I felt I didn't need to meet with them in person as they both raved about their end results and the caring treatment they received while in CR.”].

Which is it? You do not meet with people only to then say you only spoke with them. When Chatter 1 discovered the discrepancy, Phyllis, turned it completely around. Sorry Phyllis, frankly, I believe you are trying to knock us over the head with numbers.

Though my local dentist is wonderful, he is now terribly expensive, I have never promoted him as you do yours. And, I would certainly not wait in a lobby with 15-25 people for only two doctors![post #154,“There are always 15-25 patients in Dr. Cavallini's office”] That in itself just does not make sense, especially when most are in for major work on their mouths requiring hours each. I know the process, I have had implants.

We are all trying to help one another with feedback. One, two maybe three blogs of how you fared tells us more than a multitude of postings. Thanks to all of you who have contributed your experiences both good and bad. I have learned a great from your stories and have a better understanding of who and who not to research. Good luck to those still searching.

Barbara

Recently I went to Costa Rica with my friend who needed extensive dental work as he had had tongue cancer and much of his bones are missing to hold teeth in. He needed steel posts on seven teeth and a new front bridge. He was able to get the posts put in but had to make a second trip back down for the bridge work. He is there as I write this. The Cavalini doctors are superb, caring and know what they are doing.When I am in need of dental work,other then simple cleaning, I will be headed back down myself. As it happens ,when we were down there, I went into heart failure and had to have extensive care and surgery done also. Dr. Sanchez was the cardiologist who took care of me. Wonderful people, great medical care..clean hospital..I cannot say enough good things about the place.

Of course I'm no longer an impartial party. Yes, I've had dental work at Prisma; and I've written favorably about the experience ... because it was a really, really favorable experience. If it had not been so, my visit to Prisma would have been a disaster for them as well as for my teeth, because I would not have pulled any punches.

I always tell patients that there are a number of very good dentists in Costa Rica and in other countries. I know this second-hand, for the most part. My personal experience is with Prisma. I know that they have handled more than 300 full-mouth reconstruction cases annually for a decade, with great success. If you look around the web, you'll find a lot of people who swear by Prisma.

I know of a handful of people who say they have been unhappy with Prisma, and I've talked with a few of those. I have no wish to invalidate their experiences or to attack anyone. But I will say that there are two sides to every story. I'm not here to quarrel. But when innuendo and hearsay about friends of mine come to dominate a public forum, I don't feel I should be silent, either.

My own father has been to Prisma, as well as a number of my friends. The overwhelming majority of their patients are very happy. They've been treating mostly international patients for more than 18 years.

I wish everyone success in getting great dental work, no matter what dentist you choose, no matter what country you go to. And so do the dentists at Prisma Dental.

Correction:...the questionable practices of the most talked about controversial dental office in CR WERE (delete "WAS") not good enough for them.

"Curious Tourist" and "Barbara" of RPV--Well, said! I wish you both success in choosing the right dentist in CR if you still are going. It remains an option for people; although, it may no longer be for me after my traumatic experience at Prisma Dental.

And to the above handler at PD, please stop promoting your dental services in this forum! You have lost credibility a long time ago. You can continue to proselytize the value & benefit of your services in your own blog. I hope others are wise enough to read that blog & this forum simultaneously to determine how to proceed in the future keeping in mind their best dental health.

To everyone, please be cautious in choosing your dental providers in CR. Many are so-called "professionals," but others are "specialists." I've learned that you should go to "specialists" because they have received specialized training and are more adept in treating your particular dental needs (i.e. minor vs. major dental work).

I mentioned that this is a mutually-beneficial forum for info. I hope that there's learning here for those seeking much needed info on CR dentists. What I've learned from this forum is to finally lodge a complaint to the CR dental board regarding my past CR dental provider who botched my dental work. And NO, I'm not basing my complaint on sheer hearsay.

Best of luck everyone!

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