Dentist in Costa Rica

[kelly]

dutchtreat,While I did not stay in Cavallini's hotel, I visited a friend who did and saw the rooms. They are very comfortable, have air conditioning and of course are right there at the clinic. They will still pick you up even if you stay at another place. I stayed at the Aldea Hostel. It is located 3 blocks from the clinic, no air conditioning, didn't need it, and I had a private room.

Harvest Laughter, do you mean contacts before you go or while you are there? You will meet all sorts of people in the waiting room, for me I never mined waiting as there was always someone to talk to. If you need contacts before you go I can give my email if you like...

[Cary USA]

dutchtreat wrote:

So it appears the Cavalini/Marco father and son dental group in San Jose have an adjacent hotel where patients can stay while they await their dental work.
Would appreciate comments from those in the group that have stayed there and how they enjoyed or did not enjoy their stay there.
Also, if you chose to stay at another hotel do they still offer free airport pickup?
Thank you in advance.

Hi: My brother and his wife stayed at Marco's (Cavallini & Peralta) rooms and they loved it, they told me the rooms are brand new and comfortable, and very convenient as has been noted is right above their clinic.

Cary USA
[e-mail]

[shahchau]

Hi dutchtreat,

My wife and I stayed at Casa Marco in May of this year for 1 week. The rooms are nice clean and fairly modern. The housekeeping is excellent as is the front desk. By Costa Rican standards about a 3.5 stars (2.5-3 stars U.S./ Asia standards) and I'm a bit of a hotel snob, continental breakfast included. From what i've heard its a little more pricey than comparable hotels in that part of San Jose,$15-$20 more per night but for us that was more than worth the convenience of the location.

[Andy B]

Hi, I'm going back after the rainy season to finish up with Castro/ Anglada. I want to rent a car and go to the coast of somewhere out of San Jose. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which coast is nicer or better? Any advice on renting a car? or where to stay on the coast? Thanks

[dutchtreat]

Hello again M8s.

Thanks for the information on the Cavallini/Marco
hotel there in San Jose.

I will be traveling to CR for vacation and dental work and have to decide which dentist to go to.

HELP! I don't know a word of Spanish. Is that ok? Is it safe for a 31 year old single girl to walk around in the daylight there in the country?

Anything you can post as to who is the better dentist and perhaps their web address sites and or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Cavallini group seems to be popular but I need to keep an open mind here at the beginning of my search.

Cheerio!

[shahchau]

Hi Dutchtreat,

You can generally get by quite well without speaking spanish, sometimes it involves a lot of pointing and a bit of pantomime but a lot of Ticas speak some english. Always have your hotel write out their address as well as your destination for you if your grabbing a cab, which for some places the address will be something like "2 blocks north of the pizza hut in Sabana" conventional addresses are somewhat of a rarity. Like any country there are good and bad areas and there is some petty crime pretty much every were. Use good travelers common sense, don't have a lot of bling or money, watch your pocket book and be aware of your surrounding and you will be just fine. Costa Rica is probably by far the safest country in central america to visit. As for dentist plenty of good ones depending on what you need done. It's a bit of a leap of faith with any of them you kind of have to trust what you can get from the forums, and ultimately your gut on which one is right for you. Trip advisor has some great forums also for travel advice for specific areas of C.R.

[kimberly rogers]

Dave wrote:

<quoted text>AVOID DR Cato @ High Tech dental.
He tried to bait and switch on me. When I had my first appt. he wanted more than twice the amont quoted in his email and phone conversations. LOOK ELSE WHERE!

I went to doctor coto at high tech dental clinic and had veneers put on all of my teeth. Doctor coto did them all incorrectly so I had him replace them with zerconia crowns because I figures he couldn't screw them up since they were made by a computer. Boy was I wrong -( I want to mention that doctor coto used some strip across several of my teeth as a temporary and the strip was on way too tight and instead of cutting it off he pulled with bruit force for several minutes causing one of my teeth to break and caused a total of 3 out of those 6 teeth to be root canaled right there while I was in Costa Rica ) in addition he left cement in between several of my teeth that needs to be removed. He left an open margin of two seperate crowns, I have had two more root canals in the united states caused from his neglegence and I can not chew on my back teeth because they don't touch when I bite down. In other words my bite is completely screwed up and I am getting all kinds of dental problems. I was quoted $35,000 in the united states to fix the mess in my mouth that doctor coto caused. unfortunately I do not have that kind of money and an absolutely sick because I don't know how I am going to fix the problem. By the way, doctor coto will not deal with me nor will he honor his guarentee that he has on his web site. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy!!!

[Phyllis]

Andyb wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Kelly,
How the Aldea Hotel? I had emailed them in the past but no response. Can you tell me alittle about it? I'm going back in a few months but i'm thinking of going to the coast and renting a car and maybe staying there for a day or 2. Any suggestions from anyone about staying at the coast? Which side is better? I was thinking about Jaco, any feedback?

Hi Andy,

Ask for Emir, at the Aldea Hostel. He runs it and is very good at returning calls. For the most reasonable rental car, contact Marybelle at U Save, it's on Paseo Colon right between Pizza Hut and KFC on the same side of the street. You can find them online as well. I checked every car rental the first time I was in CR and they were the best deal. My first trip, I drove to Manuel Antonio and then down the coast for a weekend. With the new highway, it's about an hour to Jaco another 40 min. to Manual Antonio. Very pretty ride. I rented a Yaris 3 times and they worked just fine. Use my name, I'm a good customer at both places.

[kimberly rogers]

I'm sorry, I think I wrote on your blog instead of my own space ( forgive me but, this is the first time I have ever commented on a blog ). I went to high tech dental clinic and the dentists name is doctor alberto coto not doctor cato. I went there to have a make over to have all of my teeth veneered. Doctor coto put all of the veneers on incorrectly - not alligned correctly ect... I flew back to costa rica a month later have him fix my teeth and had him put zerconia crowns on all of my teeth instead of having him re -veneer them because I figured he couldn't screw them up again since the zerconia crowns are made by a computer. As I stated above - I was horribly wrong. Doctor coto put a plastic strips across several of my grounded down teeth instead of doing them individually. The strip was on way too tight and instead of cutting the strip off he pulled the strip with all of his strength for several minutes until he broke one of my teeth and caused 3 teeth to be root canaled while I was in his care.
I had to have 2 more root canals in america after I got home because of his neglegence. He left cement stuck in between several of my teeth that needs to be removed, he left me with an open margin on 2 seperate teeth and my bite is completely screwed up. I can only eat with my front teeth because my back teeth don't touch when I bite down. I'm in terrible pain and I was quoted $35,000 in the united states to have a specialist ( which I need in order to fix this mess ) fix my teeth. I do not have any where near this amount of money to fix my teeth and am in a real depression because I don't know what to do. Forget about suing in Costa Rica because they charge you thousands of dollars for the suite plus you must fly back and forth many times over a few years and if you do win the amount will not be worth what the expenses will be. I tried to file a complaint on this dentist and after spending all day filling out my complaint about the dentist I recieved an e-mail back stating that the complaint must be in spanish and signed by an attorney. The system in Costa Rica completely allows for this kind of stuff the happen to forigners. Doctor Coto has both on his web site and in his brochures that he guarentees his work and that is also a lie since he stuck me this way. Unfortunately I spent a total of $9,200 - my pension money in order to have him ruin my mouth. I wouldn't wish this on anyone !!!

[Andyb]

Thanks for the info Phyllis!Do I need to buy extra insurance? Over here your Insurance company covers rented cars. I was thinking about driving to Manuel Antonio and Jaco. Can you suggest any place to stay? I just need something clean and bug free, maybe a hostel or something like that because I think i'll be traveling alone, but if not then i'll need a nicer place.

Has anyone heard about CERC? Its a new computer that takes a digital impression of your tooth and sends the info to a computerized machine that makes a perfect crown in 10 minutes?
Does anyone know who has this machine?

[phil_p]

dutchtreat wrote:

Hello again M8s.
Thanks for the information on the Cavallini/Marco
hotel there in San Jose.
I will be traveling to CR for vacation and dental work and have to decide which dentist to go to.
HELP! I don't know a word of Spanish. Is that ok? Is it safe for a 31 year old single girl to walk around in the daylight there in the country?
Anything you can post as to who is the better dentist and perhaps their web address sites and or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Cavallini group seems to be popular but I need to keep an open mind here at the beginning of my search.
Cheerio!

Dutch Treat,

In addition to Cavallini, here are websites for some other dentists you can check out that I've heard good things about. My wife and I are currently seeing Dr. Anglada and Castro and are very pleased. Email us and we would be glad to answer any questions.

Gut geluk..........Phil
[e-mail]

Dr. Anglada & Castro: http://www.costaricaimplants.com/index.php
Dr. Meza: http://www.mezadentalcare.com/
Dr. Flikier: http://www.dentalinstitutecr.com/html/en/inde...

[phil_p]

Kimberly Rogers,

Sorry for your problems; must be terribly frustrating. I've met folks during my 2 trips to CR who had similar problems who were successful in getting their money back. Unfortunately I don't have their contact numbers or how they were able to succeed. You may want to check out these 2 web sites. According to the one site, all medical practitioners must carry malpractice insurance.

Is there anyone else on this site that can offer advice and/or specific help. After all, this is what this site is all about - advice and help.

Good luck..........Phil

http://www.health-tourism.com/costa-rica-medi...
http://www.hg.org/law-firms/Medical-Malpracti...

[Phyllis]

Andyb wrote:

Thanks for the info Phyllis!Do I need to buy extra insurance? Over here your Insurance company covers rented cars. I was thinking about driving to Manuel Antonio and Jaco. Can you suggest any place to stay? I just need something clean and bug free, maybe a hostel or something like that because I think i'll be traveling alone, but if not then i'll need a nicer place.
Has anyone heard about CERC? Its a new computer that takes a digital impression of your tooth and sends the info to a computerized machine that makes a perfect crown in 10 minutes?
Does anyone know who has this machine?

Andy, Check with your insurance company before you leave to see what is covered. There is a mandatory insurance in CR that you have to buy, but it isn't full coverage. Your credit card might cover you as well. There are two nice hostels ($10 per night in Manual Antonio and some nice small hotels for $25-$35 per night. I'm sure Jaco has the same thing. I always want clean but nothing fancy. This is "off season" so many of the lodging accomodations will negotiate the rates. Good luck. You can contact me at [e-mail] .

[romeo nguyen]

hi guy
i'm heading to see dr.cavallini in 2 week(july 10 -23) so far yours suggestion is to bring light cloth,light jacket,applesauce ,soft food,book or laptop...ect
my question is do they have laundry service there?i'll travel alone and dont want to pack that much clothing,but i have to be there for 2 week.do they have an INROOM safe at THE RECOVERY CENTER?do i need to bring any pain medicine?
any anwser and suggestion will help..........thank you

[LindaJ]

Kimberly - Did you contact the dentist directly or did you use a Medical Tourism site. If the latter, maybe they provide some extra coverage. So sorry about the results & I totally understand the depression - dental problems are often a nightmare. Before we choose a dentist, we all hope for the best & try to do "due diligence" but as we all know there may be complications. BUT not a full mouth of complications! You may not like the thought - but perhaps you should contact some of the dentists listed above & inquire about having the corrections done by better reported on Costa Rican dentists...

[ConnieMcD]

I am in the "due diligence" phase of preparing to have dental work done by Drs. Cavallini and Marcos this fall. Are there any former or current patients of these gentlemen in the Maryland area--hopefully Baltimore or general environs--whom I could contact by phone or personally? Would much appreciate your letting me know.
[e-mail]
Thanks.

[Cilly]

Yes there is a laundry service a short walk away. Front desk at Casa Marco Center will give you directions.
Yes there is a in-room safe.

[Sal]

I just read your blog and I've been thinking of going to Costa Rica to see Dr. Anglada for dental work/Was your experience a good one. Would you recommend him?

Sweetroxie wrote:

<quoted text>
It is worth reinforcing, that many of the best CR dentists are specialists in their field. For that reason, you go to an implantologist if implants are your major work. And the later prosthetic reconstruction is done by a prosthodontist.
That Fliker is a prosthodontist, means that he does the final crowns and reconstruction work where a cosmetic eye comes in handy. I think that many of these CR dentists who do medical tourism work work in teams with other specialists. For example, Dr. Anglada does the implant surgery while Dr. Casto (with a cosmetic eye) does the prosthodontic part and Dr. Irene does the root canals-- all under one roof, but each variety of work done by a specialist in that area. I think that's where Prisma gets into trouble-- by attempting to do everything for everybody where they are not necessarily equipped and trained to do so.
My own experience is, so far, only with Dr. Anglada. I had 9 surgical extractions and 9 implants and an upper and lower bone graft. I will return in July for the prosthetic phase when I'll work with Dr. Castro. So far so good.

[Cheryl L]

Dr. Anglada is the BESt when it it comes to nerves...glad everything turned out well for you!

Tarafied wrote:

I just got done with having 18 new crowns with Dr Castro. I previously had 8 implants placed with Dr Anglada. So 8 crowns over the implants, and 10 over my existing teeth. Very pleased with the quality and they look fabulous and feel very secure and strong.
I am not the best patient and have a lot of anxiety about dental work. I did end up in tears a couple times with my nerves, and Dr Castro quickly summoned Dr Anglada and my favorite receptionist to come comfort me. I really appreciated their efforts to make me comfortable. They will also give you a versed if you need it (Which I did several times).
I can email pictures if anyone wants to see the before and afters. Email me at [e-mail]

[vicki]

sal... i know it wasn't my blog you read, but i just used dr. anglada last month for 8 implants, some extractions and some bone grafts and could definitely recommend him. everybody in the practice was skilled and courteous and the surgery for the implants was painless (i did not go the iv sedation route, just the novacaine). the recovery from it was trouble free, no infections or issues of any kind have come up at this time (a month later) and i look forward to going back in a few months for the next phase (he has to do two more implants) and then dr. castro will work on the crowns.

i stayed at la cristina hotel, which i could also recommend. probably the majority of the people at the hotel were having dental work with various dentists and many of them had positive things to say about the dentist they were using as well. so if you wanted to get a variety of opinions you could probably go down there and spend a couple of days talking to people and researching in that way and find several dentists that would do a good job. my experience though has been with dr. anglada and was an extremely positive experience and i can highly recommend him.

if you have any questions feel free to email me at [e-mail]