NYEXPAT
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
When I lived in the States I spent a fair amount of money on dental costs yearly ($1,000-$1500) back in the 80's and 90's. When I first arrived in Peru I went regularly and probably spent a few hundred a year. Now at almost 65, I realized I had not been to a dentist in 7-8 years. My 13 year old is asking for braces and we have been shopping around between the "high end private clinics" and the public ones affiliated with the local hospital.
As, I will be going with my son pretty regularly for the next year or so and I read on forums how much old people spend on Dentists in the states, I decided to go visit the dentist and track my expenses here as I do not keep a budget.
So we go today for my first appointment.
Bus to clinic was was 30 cents to travel about 30-40 city blocks.
Hospital is in center city and a bit more modern (10 story building) then the surrounding run down busy area. Line for the elevator was too long so we walked the 8 flights to the dental area of the hospital. We were in a big room that looked like what I imagine a welfare office to look like.
I had to pay $1.85 for my "dental consult" which consisted of my height, weight, and allergies, medical history recorded by a nurse, The Dentist then examined my teeth and the nurse recorded my fillings/missing molars/wisdom teeth and various crowns.
Next he ordered a curettage( eliminating accumulated plaque) and a cleaning.
I had to go downstairs (two flights and pay for these $39.19) and go back and wait for the procedure. As a reference my son got the same thing, but as he goes every three months the same procedures only cost $17.00.
Inside, the offices were modern, air conditioned, spotless with the latest equipment including TV screens built into the chairs. There were about 6-7 chairs in a line with a most spectacular view of the city and Andes foothills in the distance (similar to the view you would have in Downtown Denver).
Excellent service and the two of us (and a private nurse) were there for 2 1/2 hours for what should have been a 1 hour visit.
It was rush hour when we were coming home so we opted for a taxi across town for $2.77.
Tomorrow, I am scheduled to walk down the block to the lab and have a set of panoramic xrays done at a a cost $30.86 and then back to the Dentist on Tue for my treatment plan.
As, I will be going with my son pretty regularly for the next year or so and I read on forums how much old people spend on Dentists in the states, I decided to go visit the dentist and track my expenses here as I do not keep a budget.
So we go today for my first appointment.
Bus to clinic was was 30 cents to travel about 30-40 city blocks.
Hospital is in center city and a bit more modern (10 story building) then the surrounding run down busy area. Line for the elevator was too long so we walked the 8 flights to the dental area of the hospital. We were in a big room that looked like what I imagine a welfare office to look like.
I had to pay $1.85 for my "dental consult" which consisted of my height, weight, and allergies, medical history recorded by a nurse, The Dentist then examined my teeth and the nurse recorded my fillings/missing molars/wisdom teeth and various crowns.
Next he ordered a curettage( eliminating accumulated plaque) and a cleaning.
I had to go downstairs (two flights and pay for these $39.19) and go back and wait for the procedure. As a reference my son got the same thing, but as he goes every three months the same procedures only cost $17.00.
Inside, the offices were modern, air conditioned, spotless with the latest equipment including TV screens built into the chairs. There were about 6-7 chairs in a line with a most spectacular view of the city and Andes foothills in the distance (similar to the view you would have in Downtown Denver).
Excellent service and the two of us (and a private nurse) were there for 2 1/2 hours for what should have been a 1 hour visit.
It was rush hour when we were coming home so we opted for a taxi across town for $2.77.
Tomorrow, I am scheduled to walk down the block to the lab and have a set of panoramic xrays done at a a cost $30.86 and then back to the Dentist on Tue for my treatment plan.
