Dentist Dr. Hector Alcazar

Calle Internacional #5E

Nogales, Sonora

Telephone:  01152 (631) 312-6519

                             Being prepared is the best method! 

                    Knowing the Pros and Cons is always Great in Any Situation.

Here is a Great link to use to find Doctors/Dentists in Nogales, Sonora provided by Gary W. Logan, Webmaster. 

http://www.MexicanDoctorsDir.Com

     Hello. I'm one that is sitting in the Dentist Chair in Nogales, AZ. at Dr. Hector Alcazars Dentists office. I'm finally home, after spenting 5 days in Nogales, AZ. I had 13 teeth fixed with one extraction in two days. Normally, he doesn't do that many at once but I will be having back sugery (a fusion) in July. I guess you can say, "My gums and mouth hurt!" I wouldn't recommend all that work done at once unless you have a high tolerance for pain, have direct pressure to have all that work done due to medical reasons, and/or you trust the Dentist/Doctor! 

     I personally have been going to Dr. Alcazar for a few years now after my room mates mother referred her to him. Since, I'm Disabled due to my back and have other medical issues my medications have affected my teeth and many other parts of my life. Unfortunately, Disability doesn't include Dental or the money in great lump sums in which is one of the main reasons why I ended up in Nogales, Sonora in the first place. Yes, "Scary" was my first thought esp. going across that border!

     I do have lots of valuable information regarding Nogales, AZ., Nogales, Sonora (dental, pharmacys', shops, parking, etc.), medical as I'm a chronic pain suffer (legally disabled), and also a Nurse. I will only give my advice, experience, information, pros, and/or cons as I'm not a doctor! I'm willing to try to help anyone with questions, information, or you can feel free to email me anytime. I can offer assistance as much as possible regarding Nogales, Sonora and Nogales, AZ.  Hopefully, Eventually- Everything will be on this site for you to use.  I provided some links to Hotels, Motels, Stores Nearby, etc...

In Nogales, Sonora:  

Bring your own Water (enough to keep well hydrated)!   I stayed for 5 days thus, brought Food (cup of noodle soup/microwaves), and Snacks.  I am one that can't tolerate many foods and did tolerate a Milk Shake.  Some people can't tolerate the water or food from ither Nogales, AZ. or Sonora.  Be safe than sorry.  There is many fast food places in Nogales, AZ. that you may find no difficulty in digesting.  The major thing is WATER!

If walking across the border:  Make sure you keep your valuables at home in a safe place.  Do carry your License, Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, ID, Medical Information ie. Medications your currently taking, allergic reactions, overcounter medications etc...  Make sure you carry your purse/wallet, backpack close to your side and held tightly for safety.  There are many different places to park in Nogales, Arizona if your going to walk across ie. Across McDonald's. 

If driving into Nogales, Sonora:   Make sure you keep your valuables at home in a safe place.  Do carry your License, Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, ID, Car Insurance, Car Registration, Medical Information ie. Medications your currently taking, allergic reactions, overcounter medications etc...  Make sure you carry your purse/wallet, backpack close to your side and held tightly for safety.  There are many different places to park in Nogales,Sonora. I provided a Map of where to park with a "P" that I found is safe and close to many dentist and doctors offices.  Usually, it cost $1 for one hour; $2 for two hours etc. and they do take American Money.  Make sure no Valuables of any kind are left in the car.  Driving issues are somewhat the same yet very different.  Make sure you drive very slow as People walk out of no where right infront of your car, Other Cars don't pay attention to you thus, drive on defense.  Pay Attention to the way the cars are parked on the street as that will tell you which way you can turn or go etc. 

     Dr. Hector Alcazar has improved quite a bit since I first started going to him. That's including his understanding of English, speaking English, Equipment, Sterilization, (the works etc). Personally and Honestly, He does all the work with very little help thus, basically it's one on one meaning patient and Dentist. He does have his assistant and wife that does help; however, like I said, "Dr. Alcazar mostly does all the work and can work alone."

     On Dr. Alcazars Web Page that I provided is his email and you can ask questions.  From my experience, a normal cavity excluding the front teeth costs about $45 and does depend on how deep/how big.  Lets say if you have a large/big/huge cavity/broken tooth that requires him to rebuild the tooth saving it would cost  approx. $10-$15 more.  An Extraction of a normal tooth is approx. $45 a larger back motar would cost more but of coarse depending on how hard it is to get out.  Thus, Ask how much does it COST (whatever needs to be done) so your aware from the start.

     I know that there is a lot of dentists in Nogales, Sonora; however, I haven't been to any of them. I myself was scared just to go and have my teeth worked on across the border. I had no choice otherwise I would be would have had a mouth full of cavities, infections, or toothless! I have heard other Dentist are good but haven't been given any information regarding where they are located etc. until recently Thanks to Gary W. Logan.  The problem I do see in the future is that the more bussiness the Dentists get in Nogales, Sonora the more they will start to charge which ultimately will leave us with limited income 'out' once again. Anyone and Everyone does know "Who wouldn't in there right mind start charging more?" The more bussiness the more items you need plus cost of things keeps going up.

     The only thing is Pain relief type medications (prescriptions) I'm still if'y on.?. Dr. Alcazar does provide prescriptions for Pain IF need and IF you ask but mainly it's take Ibuprofen (over the counter) even though you had an extraction unlike here in Tucson or at a Regular Dentists Office. Make sure you ask about pain medications if needed.  There are many many Pharmacys that will provide assistance and speak English.  If you walk a few streets away the cheaper the medications are, I did find.  FYI:  You do need a prescription for the pain medications of any sort crossing the border! 

     People that don't speak Spanish at all and unfamiliar with esp. with Nogales, Sonora/Nogales, AZ this Dentist, other dentists, pharmacys, etc... should know the basics before heading across the border. I'm speaking as a friend and nurse to anyone that needs answers or has questions regarding going across the border. Being Disabled and with my immune system down is a safety concern.

     As with any Doctor, There are good and bad, pros and cons in which we all should be aware of esp. if your immune compromised, disabled, etc..... Being prepared is the best method and knowing the Pros and Cons is always Great in Any Situation.

     One Con I found is that in Nogales, they pack the extractions with something that's very nasty tasting. It feels like so much pressure is in the hole after a couple of days that I have had and know others that have had to dig it out.  I know others that have left it in and it has caused an infection for unknown reasons.  It's great to stop the bleeding though, I do admit!  I'm not sure what they call it but dentists here know what it is  yet don't use it for unknown reasons that I don't know? I do know that I have had to have a dentist in PX irrigate, take it out, and did say, "It's supposed to disolve but tends not to and is one reason why they don't use it."

     I hope this helps you and others! I found it difficult and scary at first most definitely! I just wish I had the information offered to me or knew how to get it easier.  Overall, my experience is good and I'm not scared to drive across the border and have found a Dentist Dr. Hector Alcazar to be trustworthy.

A Little Smile Does Go A Very Long Way,

Lisanna

P.S. A long wait for the Big Surgery is almost here.  My Surgery Date is July 24th; however, I have many days in the hospital, 6 wks down, then min. of 6 month before I'm able to do Physical Therapy thus, I will be back online as soon as I can.  My goal; of coarse, is to be back to myself (hopefully), stand 9 hours to be able to return back to work (that sounds funny but true), get around with no pain, dance, and plain & simply enjoy life.