Thought I would start this thread since I just got back from my first dentist visit since I have been in Spain (over 7 years ).
I know, I know, waaaaay to looooong without a checkup (Mufino, the rotten tooth graemlin pleeeeeaaassseee :jeje: ).
So, Ena and I went to gether this afternoon as she had not been to the dentist in a loooooong time either.
She made and appointment with the dental clinic that her mom used to bring her to when she was a kid and it was very professional, efficient and a nice visit.
As you may or may not know, dental care is NOT included in the national health plan here, one has to pay for it out of their pocket.
I was amazed that the consultation and evaluation (including ex-rays) was FREE. They simply gave us a "presupuesto" (estimate) on the work we nee to have done...
Me: general cleaning and redo a filling that fell out a month ago. Ena: a few fillings.
... and I almost passed out (pleasantly) at the cost... 66 Euros each (each person, not each filling) :jeje:
Sweeeeeeeeet!!!
So, we go back on next Wednesday to have the stuff done.
When the dentist saw my name he asked where I was from. He said I was the ONLY American he had as a patient and he gets 0 ex-pats.
I will ask next week if they speak English and post the name and address here either way for all of you.
In the meantime, please feel free to let us know where you go to the dentist every 10 yrs or so :jeje:
the tooth colored fillings are actually porcelan fillings-
Thanks for the info Jer- although I don't expect to wait 7 years to see a dentist! jejeje!
The price IS excellent! I am however getting a check up before I go (my Dentist here is a family friend ) As for the x-rays- now there is a new machine hooked up to a computer- so no more need for the film- brings down the cost if your dentist has this new technology ! (and its more comfortable than biting on those cardboard things anyways! )
Siguiendo mi propio Camino de Santiago
Posts: 387 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 19 October 2002
Holy Cow!! maybe we should plan our dental visits to be done in Madrid!! Just a simple clean and check up is well over $100 and I have not gotten out of the office without needing something else done on top of that!! Wonder how much for orthodontia....hmmmmm.
Posts: 232 | Location: Seattle, WA, USA | Registered: 03 June 2001
Yes, the price is right here in Spain. My entire work ended up costing about $4,500.00, with a crown, white filings, cleaning and some touch up work. I had DELTA DENTAL, which only paid for my whitening kit.
I look at my teeth as an investment. No one wants to see rotten teeth or teeth missing. I don't smoke or drink coffee or tea, which really stains teeth. I love my smile and my teeth and will take care of them until the end.
Remember to floss people and keep that beautiful smile that you have.
Remember the old saying: Ignore your teeth and they will just go away.
Shawn
"Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down" - SONG OF SOLOMON, Toni Morrison
Posts: 1255 | Location: Richmond, VA but in MADRID now | Registered: 10 February 2002
Ok, we arrived at the dentista at 6:30pm for our apt. and were taken right in to the torture chambers.
Got my filling (empaste) in just 15 minutes. Filling was done with a bit of local (needle ) anathetic and was totally painless.
I was then taken to another room for the cleaning which hurt a bit but no more than it used to in the USA at my regular dentist (aaaahhh the momories).
Ena had 2 fillings done and said she had a bit of discomfort but not pain.
The fillings were the tooth colored kind as promised so we are still as good looking as ever
As I said above, the total for both of us was 132 Euros. This included an initial consultation with Xrays and a second visit with 3 fillings total and 1 cleaning.
Ok, I can recommend the clinic since they said that there is a dentist there who just married an American and they are pretty sure she speaks English. And even if she does not it should not matter since pain has no language barriers :jeje:
Yes, I thought it was odd that they did it in that order and said something but the dentist told me it was BOP (Basic Operating Procedure) and the order does not matter when there are very few fillings to do (I only had one done).
Apparently the cleaning also helps to smoothe over the filling, especially if it is a lateral filling (in the side of the tooth) like mine was.
That�s the way it is done with the white fillings. When I got mine done, they put in the white filling first and cleaned and smoothed the filling afterwards. Then they cleaned my teeth. That's pretty much procedure anywhere you go.
I had my teeth done in the US and it was a great experience. I love my smile and always get compliments on my teeth.
Shawn
"Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down" - SONG OF SOLOMON, Toni Morrison
Posts: 1255 | Location: Richmond, VA but in MADRID now | Registered: 10 February 2002
Redwood- I have a porcelan filling (the white ones) and my teeth were cleaned first. Then after the filling they go back and smooth it over or whatever they have to do- its part of them putting the filling in! So I guess its not the same everywhere. My dentist is a good one- and he's a good family friend - I've never had any problems with him and he's never hurt me - I'm a dentist phobic too, so that's important!
Jer- if that's what the man said- well so be it. I'm no dentist! The important thing is he did a good job and you're satisified with it.
Siguiendo mi propio Camino de Santiago
Posts: 387 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 19 October 2002
Dentists here on Lanzarote have, until fairly recently, been fairly barbaric!! Charged the earth, no injection to numb you first etc, and definitely no cleaning of teeth!!! No preventative care either.
That all changed when an English dentist set up shop a few years ago. He is now a very, very good friend of ours (I�m not silly!!!) and friends who come to stay say his charges are less than they pay in the UK!! His clientele are split 50/50 Spanish/English, and he always cleans and polishes the teeth after treatment. That was the case in the UK too.
________________________________________ Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
Bright & shiny teefers!!! 
).
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
jejeje!
rice ratio later :jeje: 
