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Published: July 29th 2006
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Our Dentists
Claudia, Nancy and Carina the assitant with Callista No one likes to go to the dentist, least of all me. In my twenties I lacked dental insurance so dental care was non-existent. I was young and invincible. No need for dentists, I’m sure I went but for the life of me can’t remember who I saw in which state. The twenties were fluid years for me. I improved my dental care in my thirties but apparently not enough. I’m now paying for it in my forties. A little advice to those younger than I…FLOSS! It will save you much pain later.
Knowing our move was a short six months away we attempted to see our regular dentist in the fall before our insurance ceased. I made appointments for Bill and Callista first. That left my appointment down to our last couple of weeks of insurance. Callista and Bill had routine maintenance work done while I on the other hand had to have a crown. The dentist came up with a whole list of things to do in my mouth. I declined the treatment and asked that he only fix the one major problem as we were moving. I don’t think he was happy. The tooth gave me problems
since the day he finished working on it.
After a couple of months in Costa Rica it became necessary for us to find a dentist as I was no longer able to enjoy the wonderful fruits and veggies due to sensitive teeth. Ok, they hurt and watermelon quickly became an enemy of mine. I dealt with it for another couple of months until Callista developed a painful cavity. I can deal with the pain but I couldn’t neglect her teeth. It was time to see a dentist.
We asked our friends about dentists in San Ramon and got a couple of referrals. Other North Americans had told us they weren’t satisfied with the cleanings in San Ramon. On a visit to our friends in Pavas, we discovered their neighbors were dentists, sisters, one who specialized in children and the other adults. We made appointments for the following week. Callsita and I were both excited to finally be free of our aching teeth but that was not to be the case, at least not as quickly as we’d hoped. For some reason I assumed we could walk in on our first appointments and be relieved of our dental problems.
Callista's new front tooth
Callista broke her front tooth in half a couple of years ago. A filling was used to repair it until she is older. We knew it would need to be replaced a few times before she's ready for a more permanent replacement when she's around 18. WRONG! Just as in the states, you must go thru a cleaning, x-rays and an evaluation. What a royal pain in the …mouth.
I was furious after the first visit. I worked up the courage to see the dentist in the first place and then was told I’d have to come back the following week to begin treatment. ARGH! Let me remind you, it’s an hour drive each way to our new dentist. I’m the kind of person who is very tense before a dental visit. It is not a pleasant drive, for anyone! After the dentist is done with either Callista or I, the first victim must wait for the second’s appointment to be completed before we can head out on the long hour drive home. The rides home are very quiet but the scenery spectacular.
It’s been about six weeks since our initial visits with the dentists now. We are nearing the end of our treatments and looking forward to not seeing our dentists, Nancy and Claudia (professionally) for six months. I'm more relaxed on the drives and in the chair. I will NEVER miss a six month cleaning again the rest of my life.
US Embassy
Our dentist is close to the Embassy. I’ve learned to relax with my dentist, Nancy. It’s the first time I’ve experienced a female dentist. She understands, well she puts up with my fears and treats me with loving care. I am grateful to her for this. Callista’s dentist, Claudia is equally loving, gentle and kind with her. Unlike me, Callista keeps her eyes wide open, watching everything that is happening to her. I prefer to zone out as much as possible. Just tell me when it’s over! Their assistant Carina is kind and patient as well.
I have never felt rushed or unimportant in the care of these ladies as was often the case in at dentists in the states. On each visit we have been the only ones in the office, no waiting room full of people. This has enabled us to relax before treatment.
In my mind, I have had extensive dental work done in the past several weeks as has Callista. When everything is complete next week I will have had three types of cleaning, x-rays and approximately 18 fillings, some new, others removed and replaced from previous dental work at a cost of $400 without insurance. We paid over $200 for
a crown last November with insurance that was not necessary and I believe is no longer in my mouth. Callista's treatment when all is said and done will run about $300.
Our conclusion is that dental work in the states is a money making operation. It is not about the care of the patient but about insuring the return of the patients for continued work. We always felt unimportant in dental offices in the states. We had to wait in a room full of people for sometimes over an hour past our appointment times. Here, our dentists care is personal, less expensive and relaxed with a drive thru an ever changing countryside included with each visit.
Sorry if I offend any blog readers who are dentists or family members of dentists, this is of course just one personal opinion.
Ok, it's July 29th when I'm finally posting this. We had our final dental appointments a week ago and are THRILLED to be done and free of pain. Bottom line to everyone... FLOSS!!!!!
Pura Vida,
Jen, Bill, Callista and Bear
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Julian
non-member comment
Dental Care
Thank you for this info. My family and I are in preparing to move from the US to CR within the next few months. When I read articles like yours explaining medical and dental costs, it makes me more eager. I agree with your sentiment on dental work here in the US. My family can easily pay thousands of dollars a year to obtain just half of the work that you and the young girl obtained. Thanks for the insight.