Chatting with the Dentist

I look forward to going to the dentist -- truly. Cleanings are never pleasant, but I enjoy talking with our dentist, Dr. Ricardo Coutinho, who enjoys discussing social norms, economics, and international politics. Like most medical professionals in Portugal, he speaks fluent English, which makes conversation easy for me.

Dr. Ricardo does our six-month cleanings himself. Although a hygienist typically handles them after the first visit, I suspect he keeps us on his schedule because he enjoys the conversations — he always leaves time to chat afterward.

At my visit last week, he told me his dental education included four years in Portugal and a final year at a top dental school in Sweden. He said Portuguese students consistently earn top marks there. Tuition? Less than €1,000 per year — still true today.

He had interviewed at NYU, where tuition was $60,000 per year at the time (now over $165,000), and noted that the equipment there wasn’t as modern as in Portugal.

That perspective helps explain why he and his staff seem so relaxed and happy. They have no medical school debt, take 90-minute lunches with family, and work with modern equipment alongside happy colleagues.

Patients benefit from all of it: excellent training, English fluency, up-to-date technology, and a genuinely positive atmosphere. And one more advantage — the cost. We pay out of pocket, and it’s remarkably reasonable when you compare to costs in the US.

	average cost in Portugal	average cost in US
Cleaning, exam and Xray	75 euros ($ 86)	$ 200 - $350
Extraction	89 euros ($100)	$ 130 - $ 600
Fillings	50 - 100 euros ($ 58 - $ 117)	$ 175 - $ 600
Implant	1000-1600 euros ($ 1160 -$1840)	$ 3000 - $6000

Are you curious about other aspects of our lives here? Please suggest topics and ask your questions in the comments. Or send a direct email. We love to hear from our friends.

Imagine with love. Penelope and Tim