Job Discussion Forums

Celeste · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 3:42 am Post subject: Dentists?

I was wondering if anyone knows of a good dentist here in F u k u o k a city. My husband has started complaining of hot/cold sensitivity in his teeth and I have not had the time to scout out any dentists yet. Also, does anyone know off hand how expensive dental work is here? Stuff like fillings, x-rays, cleanings, crowns, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Celeste

fion · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 69 Location: tokyo

Hi Celeste

Can't help you with F u k u o ka but my impression is that Japan is over-supplied with dentists so you shouldn't have trouble finding one. I think the city hall maintains a list of dentists who work for the state healthcare system. If you want a personal recommendation, why not just ask a student?

Don't think language need really be a problem. My dentist (suburban Tokyo) doesn't speak English but has a useful, maybe standard-issue, phrasebook for talking about teeth.

I've had quite a bit of dental work done and am struggling to remember how much various bits cost. I think I paid about 2000/yen for two root canals (in one tooth) and a giant filling. For a bridge (molar) it was maybe 7000? I have a feeling he didn't charge me for cleaning/polishing and small fillings were literally pennies. I'm on the state healthcare system, the version where I pay 30% of the cost.

On balance my impression was that dentistry in Japan is at least affordable even if it's not exactly cheap.

Good luck
Fion

Lucy Snow · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 218 Location: US

Generally, you're better off going to a younger (under 45 years old) dentist in Japan. The first time I visited a dentist there, he was working on three patients at the same time without washing his hands between patients. Ewww. I got out of there without letting him touch me. According to Japanese friends, that kind of setup is fairly typical with older dentists.

Anyway, I had a lot of dental work done. I had a crown put on a molar for around 10,000 yen (this was four years ago).

I also had a root canal done for around 5,000 yen. And a bridge for about 20,000 yen. My mother told me it was a steal--in the US it would have been much higher.

I paid cash for everything because I wasn't under the national health insurance. If you're going to use the national health insurance, be aware that they only pay for the minimum--for instance, a metal crown versus porcelain. If you opt for the more expensive material, then you pay for everything out of pocket.

I was extremely pleased with the quality of the work. I went to a dentist who specialized in cowards (I hadn't seen a dentist in years because I can't stand Novocaine shots) and he did a terrific job. Unfortunately, he's not in your city.

Guest · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 5:24 pm Post subject:

I paid Y50 000 for a front tooth crown. Sounds expensive, but for a porcelain crown it would not have been cheaper back home in the UK. My UK dentist also admitted my Japanese dentist had done a fantasic job. I would definitely recommend my dentist, but as he's not based anywhere near F u k u o k a, so not much help to you. Getting a student to recommend one is a good idea, bring up the subject at the end of your classes. Japanese people tend to be really helpful with this kind of thing and if your Japanese, like mine, is not too good I never had a problem getting someone to come along with me.

As a completely seperate issue is there a reason for the forum censoring F u k u o k a written without spaces?

Celeste · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2003 12:19 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info- I am going to spend some of my Saturday dropping by dentists offices to inspect the set up, and then I will make an appointment for my husband. I am releived to hear that dental care is so affordable here. In Canada, even with partial dental coverage through our employer, it was pretty expensive.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2003 2:36 am Post subject:

You people have *so* been ripped off! I had a crown done on employers insurance (Nat. scheme) for under US$30.

Anyway, *don't ask a student*

The *easiest* way to find a dentist you can deal with is to contact your prefecture's JET programme CIR/PA at the kencho International Affairs Division and ask them for the list of dentists/doctors they maintain. Each ken keeps a list of dentists that former JETs have used, along with comments about them and their practices and these lists are available to *anyone* that asks.

If you don't know the number for the local CIR/PA at the kencho and you can't find it on the web, phone CLAIR (03 3591 5489) in Tokyo and ask them for the number - remember you're not supposed to be using the number if you're not on JET.

Guest · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2003 4:48 pm Post subject:

Well aren't you lucky to have your employer insure your teeth? US$30 won't get you anywhere without insurance, and as porcelain crowns are not fitted as standard you can't get them under national insurance anyway. I stand by my original post as having got value for money though if your students are kids I guess you'd have to get a recommendation from a JET.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2003 4:59 am Post subject:

giza · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 2 Location: Hokkaido Japan

A porcelain crown can not be made in any country for $30. Y50,000 for a front tooth porcelain crown is about average in any country. The Japanese National health insurance does not cover porcelain crowns. Crowns made from other materials are avaliable under National health.