English Speaking Oral Surgeon in Panama City
How to find an English-speaking oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Panama City, what the private hospital system is like and how a first consultation works.
Panama has a large expatriate and retiree population, and a private hospital system used to treating them. Finding care in English is not the hard part. Knowing what to ask is.
How the system is organized
Private specialists work from consultorios attached to hospitals rather than from standalone offices. That has a practical advantage for surgery: the imaging, the operating rooms and the emergency support are in the same building. Punta Pacifica and Paitilla are the two complexes most international patients end up in.
What an oral and maxillofacial surgeon handles
- Impacted wisdom teeth and complex extractions.
- Dental implants, including bone grafts and sinus lifts.
- Jaw surgery for bite and facial balance.
- Temporomandibular joint problems.
- Cysts, tumors and biopsies of the mouth and jaws.
- Facial trauma.
This is a different specialty from a general dentist: it requires a hospital based surgical residency after dental school.
The first consultation
Expect a clinical exam, a review of your imaging and, if needed, a scan taken on the spot. You should leave with a written plan: what will be done, in how many sessions, under what anesthesia, and what it costs. If you do not get that in writing, ask.
Practical notes for expats
- The currency is the US dollar.
- Bring your medication list, including blood thinners and supplements.
- Ask for an itemized invoice if you plan to claim on international insurance.
- Consultations are usually available within days, not months.
You can see the specialist profile in Spanish at Dra. Anabela Herrera.
Frequently asked questions
Do doctors in Panama speak English?
In the private hospital system, commonly yes. Many trained in the United States, Mexico, Spain or Brazil.
Does my international insurance work?
Some policies reimburse, few pay directly. Ask for an itemized invoice with procedure codes.
What should I bring to the first visit?
Any recent imaging, your medication list and your medical history.
Centro Quirurgico Facial
Oral and maxillofacial surgery with Dr. Anabela Herrera, board certified specialist with more than 15 years of practice. Consultorios Hospital Punta Pacifica, Suite 419, Panama City. Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday by appointment. Phone +507 399-3117 · WhatsApp +507 6273-9001.