Dentists have to pay for a variety of expenses, such as rent or mortgage on their office space, payroll for hygienists, office managers and receptionists, health insurance, taxes, supplies, business insurance, and technology. After earning a bachelor's degree in nutritional science from the University of Florida at Gainesville, Dr. Ariana continued her studies to earn her dental degree in 2004 at the University of Florida School of Dentistry. For some people, finding a dentist's office can be difficult and scheduling an appointment can be a challenge.
Dr. Ariana is in a unique position to know that more than a dozen family members are dentists in Mexico, and as a child she often translated for Americans who came to her aunt's office for care. Doctors are able to make money while the dental industry thrives. People looking for low-cost dental care can often find it at their local dental school, which usually offers affordable care provided by dental students supervised by dental instructors. Mexican dentists don't have to carry as much college debt as their U.
S. counterparts because they start their training earlier in college and because the government subsidizes higher education in Mexico. Unfortunately, postponing dental visits due to cost can end up costing more in the long run. In addition to dentists, there are 150 optometrists and 20 doctors working in Los Algodones, Mexico, with dozens of pharmacies selling low-cost prescription drugs. Despite President Trump's anti-Mexican rhetoric, the 600 dentists in Los Algodones continue to treat American “dental refugees”, many of whom voted for Trump.
Patients may have to bear a larger share of the costs than they realize. Insurance policies often cover most or all of the cost of routine checkups and cleanings to encourage people to go to the dentist regularly. Dr. Ariana enjoys spending time with her nine-year-old son and her husband, who is also a trained dentist at the University of Florida. Dental professionals understand the financial burden placed on patients and generally give them more control over their treatments.
She recommends that patients ensure the safety and quality of the dentist's office, determine if there is a professional association or other mechanism through which they can file complaints if something goes wrong, and weigh the costs of follow-up care and replacements.
