Job Discussion Forums

cangel · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 74 Location: Jeonju, South Korea

I had two root canals during my three years in Japan. Although this may seem to be an indicator of poor dental hygiene, I assure you I brush and floss regularly. Maybe it's due to the toothpaste in Japan because it doesn't contain fluoride. Who knows... Anyhoo, this morning I went into the dentist office because I had a toothache. FYI, I'm now living in Washington State. They took an x-ray and looked at the bothersome tooth and said I would need a root canal. When I had this procedure done in Japan it took about 6 visits (per tooth) and was very painful. This morning my root canal took about 40 minutes and was almost completely painless. What gives? Mad

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

On the other hand, I had a wisdom tooth out in Japan and it cost a tenth of the money it would have in Australia and one 20 minute visit. Of course the bedside manner left a lot to be desired and the yanking pair of pliars in my mouth wasn't fun...

easyasabc · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 179 Location: Japan

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

From all the horror stories I've heard about the dentists here, I'd need to have a major problem before I'd go to a dentist here. Tokyo and Osaka are probably different, but they're butchers where I live.

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

In Nagoya there are a few US trained, English speaking dentists. One place is on the 8th floor of the Nagoya International Center building, and comes with a good reputation. Another good place is/was the Minoura Dental Clinic in Kurokawa, but they might not still be around.

Sherri · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 1:05 am Post subject:

If you are on the natioanl health system, the dentists will try to make you come back for as many visits as they can since they can milk more from the system that way. I live in Tokyo, it is is fairly easy to find a "properly trained" dentist. A lot seem to buy into the "it must hurt if the treatment is to work" philosophy.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

I prefer dentists here, than those in New York.
I remember paying $121 for a check up. That guy must have at least one yacht.

I prefer paying 2,000 yen in Tokyo. National health insurance is nice.
My dentist is fine. A guy I work with thinks Japanese dentists suck because so many Japanese have crooked yaeba teeth.

I read somewhere that dentists have a high rate for depression. I wonder why.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

A friend of mine flies to Tokyo to see her western trained dentist, a little excessive in my opinion.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

last time I went I spent over an hour in the chair. She cleaned, scraped, checked, took photos, I had an x-ray and then she said I was fine thank you very much.

In the UK, that takes about 3 minutes 17 seconds on a good day with the wind behind you.

Maybe I just have unusual teeth in Japan Confused

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

I had some work done here. No ploblems. She did do a course at U of Michigan however. She was quite good and reasonably quick. I never had a root canal here. In America it take at least two trips. One two scrape it out and put in the medication for infection. Part two: put the rubber filling into the empty canals and close it up.

cangel · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 74 Location: Jeonju, South Korea

When I was in Japan I had the national insurance. Rumors suggested that the Japanese system only allowed for dentists to bill in ten minute increments and this is why one has to return so many times. I did like the price though-cheap! At my current job in the states, they pay 80% and even though this procedure went from x-ray to completion in under an hour, my out of pocket expense was USD 346.00. Talk about your guys with at least one yacht! This guy was great though. I asked the assistant if all his root canals went this well and she said, "For him they do."

Munchen · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 76

Anyone have any thoughts/experience with extractions and getting dentures in Japan? I am 66 and am facing this procedure in the near future. Yes, I have bone loss.
From what I've read here, I would deem it wise to have this done in the US. I plan to visit Japan sometime in "retirement" but possibly could be working with a church organization in Japan.
Any advice here?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

Hey Glenski or anyone,

I read the post by You(Glenski), but the bit you wrote in Japanese just comes up in numbers. I have Japanese computer and tried every code listed. Am I missing something? Thanks in advance.