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“I’m moving abroad and becoming an expat!” Those seven words can have a profound impact on more than just you. For family and friends, the announcement that you are stepping away from the “normal” life can be both confounding and upsetting.

Dealing with the family-friends conundrum may not have been something you anticipated when you made the choice to move to the tropics, but it is something that has to be resolved. Identifying the reasons that those closest to you might object or not understand your choice can also help you to work together so that paradise doesn’t become an emotional purgatory. This is an important part of preparing for your new life in paradise.

expat decisions

Luke Addison

Why Family and Friends May Object to Your Decision

There are a number of factors that could cause surprise and negative reactions to your announcement. Depending on your relationship, these responses can range from surprise, to disapproval and, in some cases support. Below are some of the root causes that may be impacting those closest to you.

They Didn’t See That One Coming

Perhaps the major reason for those closest to you reacting with disbelief to your announcement is the simple fact that they weren’t expecting it. For many people, living in a foreign country is an almost inconceivable concept; to discover that a relative or close friend has decided to do exactly that can be incomprehensible.

Although you may have discussed becoming an expat in casual terms, many people chalk up such talk as wishful thinking. Even if you’ve shared some of your planning with them, friends, co-workers, and family may still have not taken you seriously. Only when the actual steps to moving are underway, does it seem real.

Separation Anxiety

For many family members, particularly older relatives, the thought that you are no longer just a short distance away can be both frightening and frustrating. The immediate reaction is often one of anger and accusation: Why are you leaving us? What’s wrong with you? Don’t you know how dangerous it is? Etc.

Keep in mind that the expat choice is a relatively new phenomenon. Retirees in previous years rarely, if at all, considered moving out of the country; in point of fact, it’s only been in the last twenty or so years that expats have discovered the potential that Latin American countries offer in terms of investment and lifestyle.

Being out of touch, or missing out on family events (birthdays, holidays, etc) is also a fear that many relatives have concerning your decision to become an expat. This is as much a matter of perception as anything else; constant improvements in internet, cable and cellular services certainly make it easy to keep in touch although the idea of relying on these technologies can be a whole other issue in and of itself.

That Green-Eyed Monster

Another reason, although one that family/friends may not even be consciously aware of, is envy. The fact that you have a dream that you have decided to turn into a reality can make even those closest to you jealous that you are doing something that, perhaps, they have only dreamed of.

This is easy to recognize by the constant pointing out of all the potential problems that an expat might encounter. These can range from: a foreign language, not enough money to live on, strange food, no modern conveniences, etc. Those who do recognize that they might harbor some jealousy may temper their “doomsaying” by acknowledging that they wish they could do the same thing.

expat decisions

Alec Couros

How to Make It Right with Friends and Family

Once the initial shock has passed, you will have a number of opportunities to help your loved ones accept and, hopefully, embrace your choice to be an expat. What follows are some suggestions to help calm the emotional waters

Be Prepared and Share Your Preparations

Fear of the unknown can drive the most visceral of emotional responses. By sharing with those close to you, your preparations, showing that you are taking steps to protect yourself and your family financially, and seeking feedback, you can defuse a lot of the anxiety friends and relatives may harbor about your well-being once you move.

Show Them That Paradise Isn’t So Far Away

With constant improvements in infrastructure and transportation in many Latin American countries, having your family and friends visit you in your new home is easier than ever. When they see that you aren’t lost in the middle of a tropical rainforest with no way to fly back to the States, the fear that you are no longer “connected” will greatly reduce.

Similarly, by having them share your expat lifestyle, if only for a short time, you are removing the “unknown” from the equation and, as such, reducing their anxiety. Of course, you may discover that they enjoy the tropical world you have found so much that they may not be eager to leave.

Don’t Be a Stranger

With all of the communications options available (social media, email, cellular systems, even computer based phone lines with local U.S. numbers), keeping in touch with everyone back in the States is a convenient way of ensuring that you are still a part of their world and, in turn, that they are a part of yours. Silence is one of the greatest causes of worry by those whose family or friends have moved overseas; by staying connected, that cause for concern is greatly reduced.

expat decisions

Anna Magal

Show Some Tough Love

Ultimately, the decision to become an expat was one that you made for a number of personal reasons. You may have to remind those nearest and dearest to you that this was your choice and that you hope that they can love and support your move to paradise.

For those moving outside the U.S. because they have retired, remember “this is not your father’s retirement.” Retiring today means something totally different than it meant in the mid-to-late 20th century.  Understanding this difference can also help you explain to older family members that this is not an ending but, in fact, a new beginning.

Expat living is a life-changing event. Sharing it with family and friends and embracing them as part of this new adventure can enrich these moments for all involved. Start your dream today.

As the number of individuals without dental insurance increases, there is an increased interest in finding quality care that is also affordable. Dental care in Ecuador is providing a viable alternative that is drawing expats from all over.

It is easier than you might imagine finding a dentist whose experiences, education, and certifications are the equal to any of his or her stateside counterparts. State-of-the-art equipment and modern offices can provide additional comfort for those who view the trip to the dentist as a kind of medieval torture session.

Dental Care in Ecuador

US Navy

Where to Find Dental Care in Ecuador

Top notch dentistry can be found in a variety of locations in Ecuador. As the interest in dental tourism grows, an ever increasing number of specialists including orthodontists and oral surgeons are establishing offices around the country.

Cities like Quito, Ibarra, Cuenca, and Guayaquil have a large number of dentists to choose from. Even smaller towns, such as Cotacachi, have professionals whose standards and qualifications are comparable to those in the U.S.

The best way to find a dentist that can meet your needs is to ask locals who they use. Word of mouth, particularly from other expats, can save a lot of footwork and provide the kind of information that will enable you to be an informed patient.

What Kinds of Dental Procedures are Done in Ecuador

Expats will discover that most of the common procedures done by dentists in their home countries can be taken care of in Ecuador. Examinations, fillings, gum care, and crowns are all offered by skilled and licensed practitioners. This also includes root therapy and root canals as well.

Even more complex matters, such as orthodontic and cosmetic measures (braces, straightening, and whitening), implants, and bridges are part of Ecuadorian dentistry.  Alternative dental approaches, such as veneers, inlays, and onlays (as opposed to fillings) can be found here as well.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeries are conducted in modern, state-of-the-art facilities such as the Dental Quito Clinic. In every way, the practice of dentistry in Ecuador is on the same level as that found in the U.S. and other countries.

Dental Care in Ecuador

Tiffany Turkington

The Dentists in Ecuador

One concern that many expats have when they have relocated to Ecuador is whether the medical practitioners will be of the same caliber as those at home. This is probably even more of a concern where dentistry and dental-related medicine is involved.

Dentistry in Ecuador is controlled and such items as X-ray machines are inspected and monitored twice a year. If the machine is not calibrated properly or is otherwise faulty, the inspecting body can revoke the dentist’s license to practice.

Many dentists have been educated in the U.S. and are board certified. Additionally, practitioners and their staff frequently will take ongoing training and continuing education courses to stay current with the latest trends.

The Bottom Line – A Price Comparison between Dental Care in Ecuador and the U.S.

Cost is the single most attractive feature for expats considering having dental work in Ecuador. By some estimates, fees charged for dentistry in this Latin American country are only a tenth to a quarter of what the same services would cost in the U.S.

Even if you are fortunate enough to have some type of dental insurance, often the co-pays will still be higher than the total cost in Ecuador. Keep in mind that the cost of the insurance itself is also a factor.

Below is a chart showing a comparison of sample prices for several common dental services in both the U.S. and Ecuador.

Procedure Ecuador   USA
Root Canal  $125 $585-$1400
Crown (Metal/Porcelain/Ceramic) $300 $775-$1500
Implant with Base $1,000 $2,200
Implant Crown  $300 $1,100
Cleaning $30-$45 $80-$175
Complete Set of Dentures $900 $1,100-$2100
Teeth Whitening  $25 $400-$900
Fillings $20-$35 $105-$353
Traditional Braces $700-$1500 $4,000-$7,000
Tooth Extraction $30-$45 $102-$353

Even when factoring in the costs of travel, including accommodations and other expenses, it is readily apparent why having dental work done in Ecuador has become so popular. Expats, particularly those who have a fixed income, can take comfort that caring for their teeth and gums will not break the bank and ruin their dream of a tropical escape.

Dental Care in Ecuador

M. Gambini

Dental Tourism – A New Approach to Oral Care

Medical tourism has been growing throughout Latin America in recent years. There are even companies that specialize in packages that combine medical treatments with a vacation-like atmosphere. In the last few years, dental tourism has become part of this trend.

Given the increasingly high costs of dental procedures in the U.S., Europe and Canada, the “dental tourist” is usually focused on one thing: inexpensive services that are still high quality in nature.  Ecuador’s dentists have placed themselves in the forefront of this surge by offering the same kind of treatment options found in larger countries at a fraction of the price.

Ecuador also attracts the “spontaneous patient”; visitors to places like Quito or Cuenca who decide to have dental work done while they are on vacation. Enjoying the Ecuadorian culture while taking care of your teeth and gums is certainly a great way to maximize your time while lessening the drain on your wallet.

The Future of Dental Care in Ecuador

As word of mouth spreads in the expat community as to the affordability and the quality of the practice of dentistry in Ecuador, the demand for more dental offices will continue to grow. It can be expected that growing expat communities will also become hubs for these new offices and will be a real drawing card for medical tourism as well.

As many of these modern dental centers continue to expand their online presence, being able to research and do price comparison will also become easier. Many of the sites also have forms that you can use to make inquiries and set up appointments.

This growth will also help reduce the language issue that may exist in some smaller locations. You may need to have the help of an interpreter unless you are conversant in Spanish.  This is also changing as having access to an English speaker is becoming as important as buying a state-of-the-art piece of equipment to the growing expat clientele in many parts of Ecuador.

Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive alternative for a pricey cosmetic procedure, or just end up needing a root canal on your next trip to South America, there’s no need to dread going to the dentist in Ecuador!