People finding dental savings by traveling abroad

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's got the look and the sounds of any dentist office in Houston, but the one Ashley Borders is heading to is located in Costa Rica.

"Costa Rica is an amazing place," Boarders said. "It's not far from home."

Borders is getting a full mouth restoration. In the United States, she was told it would cost her $70,000. In San Jose, Costa Rica, it's a fraction of the that cost.

"About 20-grand," Boarders said.

Borders says she spent months looking online at Costa Rican dentists before deciding on Meza Dental. She says once she walked in the door of the place, she was blown away.

Her doctor is no stranger to US dentistry. Alberto Meza trained at UCLA, is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and opened his practice 10 years ago catering to clients from the US.

"A flight from Houston is only three hours away. From Florida is two and a half," said Meza.

Before a client makes the trip to Costa Rica, they typically want to know if the doctor is American trained and certified and that the staff speaks English. Also, if something goes wrong, patient coordinator Howard Siegler says the clinic will make it right.

"We realize things go wrong, so we're immediately, please come back. We'll take care of it," said Meza.

"If they tend to be small problems, we try to have them handle them with a local dentist," said Howar Siegler with Meza Dental. "If we're at all capable , we'll go ahead and send a check on the spot to the dentist, or to the client."

Siegler says Borders' treatment plan mirrored those of US dentists. X-rays from her US dentist were forwarded to Costa Rica. Her plan required her to stay in Costa Rica for two weeks, but she did not mind.

"I found some great places to surf, the people were very friendly, and I stayed in some beautiful hotels." Boarders said. "I didn't think I'd get to go on a tropical adventure and get my teeth done at the same time. But to me it's the best of both worlds."

Before you book an out of country medical procedure, ask for references and call those references yourself. Search the clinic name and doctor's name online to see what kind of reviews they have. Also, check their accreditation yourself. Ask what kind of follow up work will be done if a problem arises and if it will require a return trip or can be done in the US.

Also, remember that malpractice laws are different in foreign countries. If something goes wrong, you'll have to pursue legal action in the country where the work was done, not in the US.