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advice · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 39 Location: USA

I have a question about Arabic culture / cultures. What are the dental services there?

For example, majority of US people understand that having regular cleaning every 6 months is necessary, otherwise, they will pay later thousands on more serious treatment. Majority of Russians do not do regular cleanings every 6 months. None of them heard about "deep cleaning" (root planing).

What is this side of life in the Arabic world? How dental offices are equipped? Do people care about their teeth? One US dentist persuaded me today that everything is very poor there in dentistry. I do not beleive, because that part of the world has oil and can pay. Am I right?

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:43 am Post subject:

In my experience, there is good dental care in Saudi Arabia. I have had only very basic care there, but I have friends who have had major dental work and they have been pleased with the care.

There are many wealthy Saudis who care about dental services. The only complaint I have heard is that it is expensive.

Your dentist in the US probably has NO IDEA about dental care in KSA. I have had medical doctors in the US act as if medical care in KSA was equivalent to visiting a village shaman in sub-Saharan Africa. American doctors may be among the best-trained in the world in medicine, but I am sorry to say that, like most Americans, they know almost nothing about the rest of the world.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It is as good as I have had. Mind you I have never visted the USA, land of dental floss.

In Dhahran Saad Hospital has state of the art dental facilities. There are many others. Many are cheaper than Saad. And less grasping.

I have been using a dental clinic at the back of the "Holiday Inn" with a Syrian dentist. Number available if you PM me.

I would hesitate about taking advice fronm a gringo dentist about anything.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:39 am Post subject:

First off, I would say that your US dentist is qualified to Old Norse as sagas he/she is qualified to offer expert opinions on dentistry in the Gulf. I speak as someone who literally yesterday completed a very long and complicated root canal procedure. I am very happy with the standard of care I received, as are most people I know who have had dental treatment in KSA. Of course you do hear the odd horror story, but there are good and bad dentists everywhere. Most dentists here are from other Arab countries - usually Syria - and they are very well trained.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Your thread title mentions "Arabic" countries which covers more than just Saudi. I would mention related to my personal experience in other Gulf countries that for me it took a search to find out which offices used the American style of tooth cleaning - which is why Americans have such good teeth. In both Oman and the UAE, it took a few phone calls to find ones that did... and if they don't know what you are talking about, they don't do it. You may need to speak to their technician.

For standard required dentistry, there are plenty of good dentists all over the Gulf. My only issue was the cleanings.

I always visited my dentist at home in the summer, but did my other 6 month cleaning at a Gulf dentist of varying nationality.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject: Open wide

I and many of my colleagues used Delta Dental in Riyadh, and I can't recall anyone ever having any complaints about the quality of service there.
I certainly was most satisfied (and my brother-in-law is a top-notch dentist, so I have very high expectations in that regard.)

007 · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject:

advice · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 39 Location: USA

Thank you for clarification!

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I've had Egyptian dentists in Saudi do complicated fillings that then fell apart after a few months. As for six monthly cleaning look around.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:52 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Next time, oh Beatified One, choose a Syrian dentist.

PeterBar · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 145 Location: La France profonde

Both my wife and I have used the Dental Clinic in Baatha, Riyadh on several occasions.

The major treatment (4 bridges) was efficient and not at all expensive compared to the costs that we would have had to pay back home.

As someone who hates any visit to any dentist I was surprised by the standard of care that we received.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA