Dental Tourism and Drug Cartels

You might want to avoid both of them. Thousands flock to Mexico and other countries, annually to pay foreign dentists to fix their teeth.
They make the trek because the savings seem enormous. But is it safe?
Dentists in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico all agree no country has a monopoly on good dentists.
However, there are significant differences in the training of dentists in Mexico and other countries compared with Canada and the United States, and much different standards with regard to infection control and materials used for fillings and crowns. There are also differences in licensing and liability.
The key question is what happens when something goes wrong?
You are putting your health at great risk when you have complex dental procedures done in a distant clinic, the obvious concern is that, if there are subsequent problems, you will have logistical difficulties obtaining the followup care. However, it is also very possible that the dental work may appear esthetically acceptable, but still be of poor quality with health-care ramifications, which might not be evident for months, or even years.
While reputable dentists in Mexico offer warranties of their work and/or materials, it's a long and costly trip back to have the dental work repaired and problems corrected.  The rise of drug wars across the border may also have untold effects on ones journey.

If the main motivation of patients is to get the work done as cheaply as possible during this economic down turn, they are taking a risk with their health. Unless you know what the standard of care is, you have no idea what you will be getting.  Price is not the only thing to consider when you think about oral health.  Quality, health risks and longevity should also be weighed heavily.
"I can give you many examples of patients who have permanent damage in some shape or form, and there's no recourse," Dr Todd Snyder, (Orange County, CA). "The amazing thing is the patients know it before they go, but they are willing to take that risk. Patients often dont realize or undertand that some dental treatment is irreversible. Some poorly handled cases would result in legal claims for millions in damages in the United States, but dentists in Mexico may be very difficult to go after if something is done incorrectly. If you have crowns, bridges and implants done and it doesn't work, then what? It's different than getting your hair cut. .If it's not done well, it may not be something anybody can fix afterward.
Not only is there a risk of permanent damage, but if infection control isn't rigidly followed, patients could end up with life-threatening infections. Hepatitis and systemic diseases can be transferred. An infectious disease like hepatitis or potentially AIDS won't happen in North America, but in other countries, who knows?

There are quality dentists in many parts of the world, but impossible for a patient to determine. Be careful and understand the potential life changing risks that saving a few dollars may cause and know that you may have no legal grounds to stand on when you return to the states.