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June 28, 2007
La Dentista
I had to have a filling. It was multi-surface, which in the United States is like having two entirely different cavities, or at least that is they way they bill for it.
I had not yet established a relationship with a dentist here, so I was long overdue. Unfortunately, I am leaving for Buenos Aires next week, so I needed to get in to see someone rather urgently. I tried to get an appointment with the English-speaking dentist that is popular here, who also has an office in Ajijic, near the large gringo community at Lake Chapala. He only works in Guadalajara two days a week. This week he was booked solid, and next week he is going to Venezuela.
I asked Charles for help, and he suggested his dentist. When we went to see his dentist though, he told us that he didn't have the proper equipment in that office to do the work, so he called up a collegue, scheduled us for an appointment later that day and asked her to give us a discount, as we were friends.
The only drawback for me personally is that she doesn't speak English, and when your mouth is stuck open with dental instruments inside, it's hard to express that you do not understand something that the dentist is telling you. This time, Charles went along with me and translated as necessary, so that worked out. I think that I probably could have managed on my own, but when you are dealing with things like the law and medicine, it's important to understand fully what is going on.
She did a very good job and after about two hours of examination and work, she charged me only MXN $300. That is just a little under thirty bucks. I'm going back for a cleaning this afternoon, and that's going to cost me a whopping MXN $350. She did discount the rate for us because we were sent to her by a friend, but I do not imagine that the regular price is anything near what one would pay in the United States. I'd have paid my previous dentist in Boulder at least USD $600 for the visit.
I can recommend her highly, in case you ever need a dentist in Guadalajara. Her information is:
Dr. Adriana Preciado Fregoso
Nuevo Mundo 2500
Fracc. Colón
Guadalajara, Jalisco
(33) 3812-1885 office
(33) 3115-2350 cell
Posted by crispy at June 28, 2007 06:46 AM