Question:
We just returned from our trip across the US. It was discussed just
before we left in June that California was the only state left with check
points on the highway.
Well, 'taint so anymore. AZ has reopened the check point East bound on
I-8 East of Yuma. Don't know for what they are checking. 3 different
trips through there brought 3 different questions form 3 different
inspectors. Where are you going? Where have you been? How many
passengers in your vehicle? (Pickup with clear windows)
We were in the area so I could get dental work done in Mexico. Got it
done for less that 1/4 what dentist charge here in Atlanta.
More on the trip later, but if you have an RV with a rubber roof, check it
real well. We saw several across the south, in the heat, with large
portions of the membrane bubbled up. Some as much as 1/3 the way back
from the front, and rising over a foot in the air.
Answer:
Sure hope you didn't use the dentist my neighbor did. He
got a full set of crowns at a real good price. But, about
six months later all of his teeth turned green. I don't
mean greenish tinged. I mean green, like pistachio ice
cream! Weird looking. He had to get them done again on
this side of the border. Sort of lost any financial
benefit. The irony of it is that he is not some naive
gringo. He's a fluently Spanish speaking direct descendant
of a Mexican national.
To get to his office, when you walk across the border in Algodones, turn
left (East) and follow the street that is parallel to the border 2 blocks.
His office is the last building on the right before the canal.
I have been using this same dentist for over 6 years, and have had bridge
work, and implants. He sends you to specialist for gum work and root
canals. He'll do any grade tooth covering you want, but I get the
porcelain, because it feels more natural.
That said, there are over 50 dentist in this little town during the winter
season, and others are just as good, and maybe better. There are a few
that are not good, so get recommendations from someone that has used the
same one for more than the current season. Dr. Barraza keeps his office
open all year, and works by appointment. Unlike most appointments in
Mexico, he is usually on time, or ahead of time for appointments. His
assistant has been with him as long as I have been using him, and she is
good too.
Last year when Cheryl was quoted over $7k for bridge work we went down
to Nogales to shop for a dentist. One place we didn't like the look of the
office or the feel we got from talking to the dentist so we moved on. As
Mexican dentists are personally more accessable than American dentists it's
easy to get in and talk to them. They don't have as big a staff as stateside
dentists and don't hide behind the staff. The second place we went we liked
the look of the office, nothing fancy but clean and nice, and liked the
dentist after talking with him, so Cheryl had the work done there for less
than a third of the stateside price. She has been very satisfied with the
work.
