A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part V
June 7, 2010
Today, a new experience here in Jamaica. I went to the dentist. About a week ago, I started having some tooth pain.
The Cost of Dental Care in Negril, Jamaica
Turns out, I need a friggin’ root canal. But – get this – it’s only going to cost about J50,000 (roughly $475). This is not bad. I had one in 1997 in New York City and it was around $1,500. At the time I had dental insurance.
I remember it so well because my girlfriend and I had a trip planned to Barcelona, Spain. The dentist didn’t want to do the root canal until I got back because you’re not supposed to fly so soon after. I think I was leaving like the next day or a couple of days after. I asked him to proceed though because I was in so much pain and couldn’t imagine being on vacation in that kind of physical torture.
He gave me some pain medication and my x-rays to take with me on vacation. He said it would help if I had any problems and needed to see a dentist in Spain. I popped a codeine tablet (the pain meds he gave me) and drank some Jack Daniels on the plane (I know, I know, I shouldn’t have mixed, but it hurt).
Anyway, that was one of the most fun flights I ever had. But, I’m digressing.
My root canal starts on Thursday. The dentist said it would take about three visits to complete. I was like, “As long as I don’t ever have to leave this office with a hole in my head (ie, a missing tooth), I don’t care how long it takes.”
I’m vain that way . . . and not ashamed to admit it.
I also inquired about have a crown done – something I’ve been meaning to have done back home. At my dentist in the states, it’s about $1,200 if I’m remembering correctly. Once I go in for a consult here about that particular problem, I’ll find out about the cost and post an update here.
Medical Care Overall in Negril, Jamaica
I’ve been to the dentist/doctor’s office here three times in the course of the last year . . . and from what I’ve experienced, the medical care here in Jamaica is not only excellent, it’s very affordable for me as an American, especially when compared to the United States.
I’m sure the cost is probably more exorbitant for locals who don’t make the salaries we do in the United States. I see a lot of people here in Jamaica (usually in their 40s and up) in need of some serious dental care. I’m sure cost plays a major factor in this.
I don’t have dental insurance and have always paid out of pocket for this medical expense since I left corporate America, so while it’s an unexpected expense, it’s not so expensive that I can’t have it taken care of.
And thank goodness . . . there’s nothing like a friggin’ toothache. My sister says it’s worse than childbirth (she has a son). As I haven’t had that particular experience, I’ll take her word for it. All I know is, I wouldn’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t have afforded to get this taken care of.
As I’m going to be living here – maybe forever in one form or another – I’m going to find a gyne (gynecologist) as well.
Sunday is “Family Day” in Negril
A lot of places are closed on Sundays because it’s Family Day in Jamaica. I spent most of the day at the beach. The water is like bath water here – you don’t get that cold, cold water you have to ease yourself into. It’s nice from the time you step in.
Jenny’s Restaurant, Negril Jamaica: The Best Food at the Best Prices — Bar None
Afterwards, I had lunch at Jenny’s, a local restaurant on the cliffs of Negril that has the best food at the best prices (and they give you a lot).
The fried chicken with callaloo (a kind of kale/collard green vegetable) and plantain is my favorite. Cost: $350J (a little more than $4). FYI, this restaurant offers American fare like French toast, one of my faves here ($250J), and egges and bacon.
Where to Get the Cheapest, Strongest Rum Punches in On the Cliffs of Negril Jamaica
Then, I sauntered right next door (I’m talking two feet) to this country/western bar (yes, country/western) and had a rum punch. The rum punches are only $150J (roughly $1.75) and Dawn (the proprietor) makes them extra strong.
I happen to like country/western music (born and raised a country girl, remember) and when you throw in a good, cheap rum punch and a bench directly across the street from the ocean (can’t see it, but you can hear it), it makes for a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends.
It’s kinda become my hangout du jour.
FYI that’s Dawn, the owner, in the photo sitting in the chair.
Yesterday, met an American couple from Connecticut celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary. Me, them and some friends sat, drank and laughed for a couple of hours. Then my tooth started hurting, so I popped an extra-strong Ibuprofen, went home, showered, popped in “It’s Complicated” (with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin) and promptly fell asleep before 10 pm.
Woke up this morning and went to the dentist.
What Do You Want to Know about Negril, Jamaica?
Hope you’re enjoying these updates I’m providing as an American freelance writer living abroad. If there’s anything you want to know about here in Negril, drop me a line (info[at]InkwellEditorial.com) and I’ll do my best to answer.
Best,
Yuwanda
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A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part IXA Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part VIII
A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part VI
A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Jamaica for a Year, Part II
A Freelance Writer’s Life Abroad: Inside Peek at My Life as an American Living in Negril, Jamaica for a Year, Part I
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June 9th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
[...] before last, I was sick as a dog. Fever, night sweats, the chills, stomach pain, etc. Every time I come to Jamaica, it seems I have some type of medical emergency. I don’t know if it’s my body adjusting to a new climate (it is VERY hot here now), if it’s [...]
June 11th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
[...] night I was at my favorite country western bar with the best, cheapest rum punches on the cliffs in Negril, Jamaica and I asked the proprietor, Dawn, about Patois, the native language of Jamaicans. I asked what it [...]
June 14th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
[...] I reported in this post on living and working as a freelance writer in Jamaica, Sunday is family day. So yesterday, my sister and I went for a 7.5 mile walk – yes, 7.5 miles in [...]