Crossing the Border for Dental Care: Documents, Wait Times and Planning

Documents for coming back to the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) lists the documents U.S. citizens can use at land borders: a U.S. passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license, or a Trusted Traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST), among others. Children under 16 have different rules. Check the current list on the CBP page. If you are not a U.S. citizen, check the rules for your status before you go.

Entering Mexico

Entry requirements for foreign visitors, including whether you need a tourist permit (FMM) for your planned stay, are set by Mexico and change over time. We do not give a rule here. Check the Instituto Nacional de Migración or the Mexican consulate before you travel.

Wait times

• CBP publishes current and typical wait times for each crossing at bwt.cbp.gov. Look there on the day, not at a general rule of thumb.
• Wait times differ a lot by crossing, lane type, day and hour. Allow extra time on the way back, especially if you have an appointment or a flight.
• Ready Lane and SENTRI lanes usually move faster for travelers who qualify. SENTRI is a paid, pre-approved program; see the CBP Trusted Traveler page. Do not count on getting it for a one-off trip, because approval takes time.

On foot or by car

• From San Diego, the pedestrian crossing at San Ysidro leads into Tijuana, and many patients cross on foot and use a taxi, rideshare or a transport arranged by the clinic. The Otay Mesa crossing is another option. A pedestrian bridge connects a San Diego-side terminal to Tijuana’s airport (Cross Border Xpress); check its own site for tickets and hours.
• If you drive, most U.S. auto insurance does not cover you in Mexico. Ask your insurer, and ask about Mexican liability coverage before you cross.
• Ask the clinic in writing whether it offers transport and what that costs. A clinic’s offer of a ride is a service to compare, not a sign of quality.

Safety and travel advisories

The U.S. State Department publishes a travel advisory for Mexico with a separate entry for each state, including Baja California. Read the current text before you travel and consider enrolling in the State Department’s traveler program.

Practical packing

• Your passport or other accepted document, your written treatment plan, your X-rays and any list of your medicines and allergies.
• A contact for your dentist at home and for the clinic, with the clinic’s address.
• Payment: ask the clinic in advance what forms of payment it accepts and get itemized receipts.
• Keep the receipts, records and implant or material details for your own dentist and your insurer.

Sources

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (documents accepted at land borders)
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Border Wait Times
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Trusted Traveler Programs (SENTRI)
• U.S. State Department, Mexico travel advisory (check the Baja California entry)
• Instituto Nacional de Migración (Mexico’s immigration institute)