Visiting Antigua in April 2008

In April 2008 I was visiting a friend in Antigua, Guatemala, who was having dental work done with Dr. De La Cruz. I myself then made an appointment for a cleaning and an estimate. I knew that I had dental problems and I knew they were expensive. Many adults in the U.S., such as myself, tend to ignore dental issues until they become a painful and costly problem. There are many reasons for not going to the dentist but the main one is cost. Going to the dentist in the U. S. is very expensive and many health insurance programs do not adequately cover dental expenses.

My first visit with Dr. De La Cruz was very impressive. His office setup and equipment were state of the art, his credentials (University of Rochester, New York), his attention to detail was impeccable, there was no language barrier, and most significantly, the price was incredible. It was about one third of what I was quoted in the U. S. As a result I had extensive dental work done and now enjoy being pain-free and have a healthy mouth once again. In addition to the work that was done, Dr. De La Cruz had grown up in Antigua and encouraged me to see his country. We worked my dental schedule around to include excursions to Lake Atitlan, Tikal, etc. His father is also a dentist and the two of them are consummate gentlemen and very professional.

I write this letter in hopes of dispelling the myth of substandard medical care in foreign countries. I would encourage anyone to consider a “Dental Vacation” to Guatemala. The cost savings in dental work will pay for a vacation of a lifetime.

The Pleistocene Foundation can tailor group excursions around dental services. . I have organized group foreign travel to many countries in the last 15 years. As the world economy adjusts to the financial crises, it is wise to consider the possibilities of combining medical business and pleasure.

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Found out about Dr De la Cruz

I originally found out about Dr. De la Cruz from two men that I had met in Antigua Guatemala. Each had had extensive dental work performed by him, and they each recommended him to me as a really good dentist, that was also a fluent English speaker. “He's the man to see”, as they put it. So, I went to see him for a general exam and teeth cleaning. Initially, I was impressed by the modernity of his office, his professional style and ease of communication. With time, I came to see him not only as a good, competent and honest dentist, but also as a fine human being - someone I am glad to call my friend.

When, during the exam, he mentioned that at least one of my rather old crowns had “leaked”, and that it should be replaced, I was a bit skeptical, as I had had a dental exam less than a year ago in Santa Barbara, California, and had been advised then that all was well. Dr. de la Cruz had carefully and clearly explained the situation to me, showing me the X-Ray images, etc., so I decided to proceed with his recommendation. When the old crown had been removed (as close to a painless procedure as one could hope), I was invited to see for myself - he showed me the dark brown area under where the crown had been, where decay had been occurring. I wasn't surprised, but I had been a bit skeptical. And there it was!

He found additional old crowns that had failed, and a broken filling, - each validated by my own personal inspection. I sure was surprised, as my Santa Barbara dentist had so recently given me a clean bill of dental health. When all work had been completed, I compared Dr. de la Cruz' cost for similar procedures “back home”. The difference was impressive - less than half the typical California prices. I could easily have paid for my trip to Guatemala with the difference, and still come home financially ahead. And, more importantly, I believe the service and skill I experienced with Dr. de la Cruz was considerably better in every respect, than I had come to expect “at home”.

I can enthusiastically recommend Dr. de la Cruz to anyone seeking competent, thoughtful dental care at a price much less than they would pay in the US. And, the time spent in Antigua is a real bonus, too.

/s/

Paul Owens

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