Dental care in Chirqui

[Jim Gordon and Laura Frisbie]

I'd be interested in stories of dental care experience in Boquete, or more likely, David. More interested in availability, quality and cost of work (compared to U.S.) on crowns, root canals, etc. If you happen to have contact info for a dentist that would be great too. Thanks, Jim G.

[Joy Koopman]

Hi Jim & Laura,

I'm sure others will respond as to dentists in David/Boquete area, but I go to the Clinica Arango-Orillac in Panama City, 263-8166. If you go to the City on occasion, they could be an option for you. I started going there before I opened my Boquete office and they're so good that I wouldn't change for anything in the world. I have always been terrified of dentists (bad experience in the past), and they are the only ones who have not had to give me gas or novicane (sp) just to clean my teeth. In fact, when I had major periodontal surgery, they were more concerned about how I was feeling afterwards than the fact I owed them some money. Took me 10 minutes on my next visit to "convince" them that I did in fact owe them money.

My dentist in Colorado had given me an estimate for dental work I needed that was close to $14k - the same work here was somewhere around $3500-$4000. Anyway, every friend and/or client who I've recommended them to has been very happy and continues to use them.

Best, Joy

[Jim Gordon and Laura Frisbie]

Hi Joy,
My wife needs some dental work, possibly a root canal and crown, and will be needing more in the future. We're coming down this Nov for a couple of months. Is it feasible to think about having work done while we're there this time? How far ahead do you have to make appointments? Can you pay with a credit card? I see the 7 digit phone number you included; would we just add the area code (507?) and call them and converse in English? What kind of office do you have in Boquete? Thanks,

Jim and Laura

[Joy Koopman]

Hi there, all you need to add is 011-507 to the number. The doctors and a lot of the staff are bilingual and they're very accomodating on timeframes. I had a client in Bocas who needed some cosmetic work done and we were able to get her in during the time she would be in the city (they also opened a branch across from Albrook Airport which makes it convenient for people flying in, then needing to fly right out).

As far as my offices, I'm the owner of C21 in Boquete and Bocas, (I opened Bocas first which is why I found a dentist in PC to begin with - no way I'd use anyone in Bocas). And yes, I do believe they accept credit cards; I just paid in cash because the work was so inexpensive so I didn't pay attention. But considering they're the best in the city, I would assume they do accept CC.

Others have given you recommendations in Chiriqui and you would need the same country code and area code to call them.

[Gwen Savoie]

Joy thanks for the tip. I was going to ask someone the same question. I think I need a crown, which is very expensive in Canada. So I will check out your recommendation. What area is it located in???

[Don Ray Williams]

I have used dentists in Boquete and David. My recommendation is Dental Esthetic.

Doctor Miriam Rodriguez is as good as the best I had in the US.

[Jim Gordon and Laura Frisbie]

Hi Don Ray,
We're coming this Nov for 6-8 weeks. Would it be feasible to think about having some dental work done while we're there? My wife may need at least one new crown. How far ahead do you have to make appointments? Can we do it by phone from the states? Dr. Rodriquez' Phone #? In English? In Boquete or in David? Are you in Boquete full time? Where are you from? Thanks Don Ray,

Jim and Laura

[Don Ray Williams]

Sorry to take so long to reply. I don't get over to this blog often. http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/01/29/dental-estetic-opens... will give you most of the information for contacting Dr. Rodriguez. Her English isn't the best, but she is taking lessons. Ig you need to contact me, you can do it through my blog.

[Lee Zeltzer]

We use Dr Franklyn Halphlan in David. His office is state of the art, he is bilingual, very competent and far less expensive than anyone in the US.

775-3344

[Jim Gordon and Laura Frisbie]

Hi Lee,
Is it feasible to think about having some dental work done while we are there Nov-Jan? How far ahead do you have to make appointments? Can we just call from the states? Dr. Halphlan's phone # ? Do they take credit cards? Have you had any major work done by him? Cost? Thanks once more for your help, Lee.

Jim and Laura

[Lee Zeltzer]

Jennifer has had root canals and crowns done and they a less than half what they cost in the US. They do take credit cards and both Dr. Halphlan and some staff speak English. The one warning is they can be slow it has taken more than two trips to finish a crown. He is a perfectionist has sent back crowns to be redone.

phone is (country code 507) -775-3344 so fro the states I think oyu need to dial 011507 775-3344

[Pederhaney]

I went to Dr. Halphen twice (or three times).

Once to have a cleaning. I cannot tolerate sonic and told him so. He gave me a bit of an argument but in the end agreed to do it the old-fashioned "mechanical" dentist-using-instruments way. He did: $100. The charge was announced after the cleaning. (My superb dentist in the U.S. charged $65 for the same routine.) I gulped and paid.

The second (or third) and last time, I needed to have a filling replaced. Because I already had a record there (and the cleaning was okay), I returned. He did: $40. He filled it too high and it cracked. I went back to have it re-filled. He did: $20! (for his mistake, which he admitted). Told me if it didn't last I'd need crowns (plural???).

Sorry, but this guy has set up a gringo-gotcha office. Need I say more?

[Gwen Savoie]

How very interesting. Two different experiences on the same dentist. I hope I get more feedback on this dentist and others. A crown is very expensive and I don't want to have a mistake made. I'll sit tight for a week and then perhaps I'll have to go to Panama City