Dentimundo was created as part of inSite05, an exhibition investigating border culture between Tijuana and San Diego.
View documentation from opening weekend of the inSite exhibition >>

Dentimundo featured on DailySonic: Interview by Adam Varga

According to the border dentists and U.S. clients that we spoke with, the primary reasons that U.S. citizens travel across the border for dental care are:

  1. Affordability
  2. Quality of attention
  3. Consistency in having the same dentist every visit

Read the transcripts of the interviews with Border Dentists:

Dr. Acosta discusses US misperceptions of Mexico and the diversity of his patients. Dr. Dychter comes clean in so far as problems with Mexican dentistry - fraudulence and malpractice.
Dr. Felix tells us about the most common procedures done on the border, and reasons why US citizens travel to Mexico for dental care. Dr. Morales explains why dentists from all over Mexico move their practice to the border and criticizes US health insurance companies.

Valuable information excerpted from the interviews:

In so far as finding a trustworthy dentist, it is best to go to a dentist based on recommendation, otherwise one should check the credentials of the dentist - see the dentist's certificates, ask questions concerning the dentist's educational background and upkeep of practice. Mexican dentists have the choice to take an exam every five years to re-new their certificate of practice, if a dentist has not done so, you should walk out. Most importantly do you feel comfortable with the dentist, does the dentist strike you as someone that you wish to trust with your mouth.

"In the United States there is a great deal of misinformation concerning Mexico and its border culture. People are generally lead to believe that our border cities are dangerous, that people will be robbed by the mafia or the police, that our clinics are dirty, that the quality of service is below standard, these are just a few of the lies that are spread to create misconception and fear about crossing the border. However once people take the risk and come and see a border dentists all those fears disappear and you receive quality service at a fraction of the price of the US"
Dr. Acosta

Dentistry on the Mexican side of the border is technologically 5 years behind dentistry practice in the United States. Dentistry further south, in other parts of Mexico, in Central and South America is 10 years technilogically behind the United States.
Dr. Acosta

"Several years ago, one could count on being able to use U.S. health insurance at approximately 80 percent of Mexican dental clinics on the border. Unfortunately 5 years ago, investigations lead to the revelation of severe insurance fraud by Mexican clinics - charging for services that they had not done. Today there is about a 50/50 chance that one will be able to use U.S. insurance at a Mexican clinic."
Dr. Carlos Peralta