What US documents are required for going to the dentist in Tijuana?
On of the biggest questions most of our Tijuana dental patients ask is: "What documents do I need?" Although as of June 1st, 2009 a new regulation was put in place requiring US citizens to have a US passport in order to re-enter the US., the actual practice at the border has been different. Everyday there are hundreds of Americans who leave Mexico and re-enter the USA with just a drivers license and birth certificate. It will be less hassle for you if you have a passport, passport card, or enhanced drivers license, but hundreds every day do it lust like before, and use a drivers license and a birth certificate to prove US citizenship. In fact, US Customs has set aside a special lane just for these folks. We recommend getting your US passport before you come. However, if you are having a tooth ache and need attention right away and can't wait, we have found that those who have crossed back into the US without a passport, have not had any problems with US Customs. we have someone every week who is in this situation, and they get through fine. If you want to go ahead and start application for a passport, click here for the official Website: www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/
Want to know to get to the border from the San Diego airport, and find Dental Art International?
For details on getting to the border, please click on this link: From the Airport to the Mexican border
2. The tensions and violence in Tijuana right now in 2011 are much less than 3 years ago. It may not be reported on,but we have new government leadership in place, and they have done a lot to clean things up and to keep things safe and peaceful. When considering coming to our Tijuana dental clinic, please don't judge things based on rumors from people who haven't even been to Mexico for years. Several of us who work for the clinic are Americans, and we actually live here and see things for ourselves. We feel safer here than in many places we visit on the US side of the border.
3. As a Tijuana dental tourist, you have noting to worry about. One thing to keep in mind is that the targets of the violence you have heard about in the US media are NOT AMERICAN TOURISTS who have come to see a Tijuana dentist in Mexico. Drug cartels have fought EACH OTHER for territory. The Americans who have gotten into trouble have been people hanging out in the kind of places you would expect them to get into trouble. People who come to Mexico to try and score drugs or find a prostitute, or to party, are probably going to find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. They are not the typical dental tourism patient who is here to see a Tijuana dentist to fix their teeth.
4. If you want to be safe, when in Tijuana for Mexico dental work, just use common sense and you will be fine. Don't go hang out in the night clubs and bars. Don't walk on dark streets downtown late at night. We can recommend several hotels that are very safe and secure, but if you want to stay on the US side, there are several hotels close to the border. Since we are right across the street from the exit gate from Mexican Customs, it is very convenient for those who want to stay on the California side of the border.
Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know for taking a Mexico Dental trip
to your Tijuana Dentist.
Is it safe in Tijuana?
Lately, there has been a lot of negative publicity on T.V. about violence in Tijuana. Many people who are interested in seeing one of our Tijuana dentists call us to ask our opinion about safety. We are Americans living in Tijuana and can speak from first hand knowledge and we definitely feel that it IS SAFE. We have never felt threatened and are happy living and working in Tijuana. Also we take every reasonable precaution to help our Tijuana dental patients. Below, we want to address this question.
1. True, there have been many reports about violence in Mexico, but the media tends to sensationalize things. However, people in the US don't know how to take things in the proper context, and paint everything with the same brush. First, Tijuana is nothing like Juarez. Juarez, just South of el Paso Texas, is 900 miles away, and under a different state and city government. It is like comparing San Diego, CA to Washington D.C. The fact is, a lot of gang violence and drug problems in the US goes under reported, and people get a distorted view of Tijuana. We feel that you are certainly safer here than you are in many major US Cities.
Dental Art International, your Tijuana dentist in Mexico!
