You have probably already heard and read all about the advantages of dental tourism in Costa Rica, the high quality of services, the considerably cheaper rates, and, of course, the added value of visiting a beautiful country while at the same time taking care of your teeth.

Traveling to Costa Rica to see a dentist makes all the sense in the world, but, in order to ensure you have a good experience it is important that you do your research and learn about the other side of the coin, the things you should look out for when choosing a dentist in Costa Rica.

There are close to 5,000 dentists in the country, but as it is normal, not all of them offer the same quality of service, and it takes more than just knowing if they have a fancy clinic to really make the right choice.

Here are 5 things you should look out for when choosing your dentist in Costa Rica:

1) Fake Credentials: It happens with physicians and it happens with dentists, before you trust your health to just anyone you must check their credentials. Believe it or not, there are such things as fake titles and bought accreditations, so don’t just settle for a little framed paper hanging on the wall from some accreditation body you have never heard of. All dentists in Costa Rica must be registered with the Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas (National College of Dental Surgeons), a quick search through their website: colegiodentistas.org will tell you whether the dentist you are considering is duly registered and authorized to practice.

2) Jack of All Trades: There was a time many years back when dentists took care of everything related to teeth problems, and unfortunately many dentists still follow this practice today. Many patients think a dentist is just a dentist and they can fix anything in your mouth; this is wrong, just as with medicine, there are different specialties: general dentistry, endodontic, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, cosmetic, implantology among others; while all dentists are general dentists each of these specialties requires additional training and studying. Make sure that the dentist you choose has the required training and expertise for the treatment you are looking for, ask him/her directly and check the information in the National College of Dental Surgeons. A responsible dentist will let you know when something falls out of his/her line of work and should recommend someone to offer proper care. Some clinics offer professionals in different specialties and this makes things much easier.

3) Foreigner Rates: One of the main advantages of seeking dental care in Costa Rica is the fact that rates are much more affordable than in the United States and Canada, you can end up saving as much as 70% depending on the treatment you are receiving. Unfortunately, as it often happens in every country, it is not uncommon for foreigners to get charged more just because they are foreigners. It is important that you know that rates for health services are also regulated in this country, there is a chart given by the National College of Dental Surgeons that defines the “recommended” rate for each procedure, this rate is the minimum a dentist can charge, they are allowed to charge more but the majority usually stay close to the recommended chart to be competitive, make sure to ask what the price includes so there is no confusions or surprises, get two or three opinions and quotes if necessary; also, beware of dentists that charge LESS than the recommended rate, this is not just unfair competition but there’s usually a reason they charge less. Ask if the price you are getting includes follow up appointments etc.

4) Cheap Materials: Maybe you’ve had this experience when fixing something in your house or your car, you think you are getting a great deal but you end up having to fix the same problem shortly after because you got stiffed with cheap materials or you may even get charged full price and still be getting low quality materials. The same can happen at the dentist. Always inquire which materials are available and recommended for your need, compare the prices aswell as the brands used and ask about the advantages of one vs. another. Choosing a reputable clinic and doctor will give you peace of mind in this aspect since their reputation is important to them and they will not play games.

5) Warranty: Yes, warranty for dental work actually exists and should be offered by your dentists, especially if you are getting implants from single tooth to multiple teeth replacement such as an All on 4. Always ask for the warranty on the dental work you are getting done. The (Flikier Dental Institute) offers real lifetime warranty and the information on this is clearly displayed in their website; this ensures that your time and money are well invested.

There are many dentists to choose from, but you must always take your time to do your homework and avoid a problem down the road. The Flikier Dental Institute is highly recommended and regarded as one of the best dental clinics in Costa Rica with specialists in many different fields, the best technology and bilingual customer care.