Job Discussion Forums

[phdinfunk]

Hi,

I'm a newbie teacher moving to San Hsia, just outside Taipei on the 12th of August. I just went to the dentest and he put a "watch" on one of my teeth (may need a drilling in a few months). What sort of dental care, treatment should I expect in the country where I'm going?

I expect a disparate flurry of opinions, but I hope I can sift out some useful info .

Thanks,

Jonathan

PS: Sorry if this was posted elsewhere, I'll be happy to feel microseconds of shame if anyone wants to flame me for it.

[Mr. White]

I had some work done recently and was impressed with the quality and attention I was given. Dental work is cheap and good. When you get here ask the other teachers to suggest a good dentist in your local area.

[englishmaster]

I resided in Taichung for several years, and at first went to a Taiwanese dentist of the ordinary sort. He proved unsatisfactory, so I went to Hotshot Specialist Dental Clinic, where they have US-trained dentists who are extremely good.

Don't know if Hotshot's in business now, but you can google it, or google "US-trained dentists Taiwan."

[dangerousapple]

Dental clinics in general here are quite good. Most, if not all dentists speak English more or less fluently, as English is the language used in the dental colleges here. The nurses usually don't speak English, however. The methods are sometimes different than in the west, but the end result is the same.

As you are out and about, keep an eye open for any clinics that look clean and new. Go in and ask to speak to a dentist. If the building and the dentist make you feel comfortable, then you should be fine there.

As for the price...forget about it! Dental work is covered by national health insurance here, and other than a small fee for each visit you just need to pay for non-essential services or fancy-pants dental work. Even that is far cheaper than in the west.

[forest1979]

The dental service in Taiwan is pretty good. Ok, there's a few quacks out there but if you go to a western trained dentist you'll find an A-ok service. Moreover as people have shown the cost for basic stuff is reasonable. However if you want to fill you teeth with gold fillings then just as anywhere else in the world be prepared to pay big $s.

[izzyismydog]

My tooth STILL hurts from a rather deep filling done there WITHOUT FREEZING.
OW! That was my only complaint but WOW did it EVER SUCK. The minor fillings were fine without freezing and I think it's funny they freeze for everything here.
But the cost was reasonable and all other work he did was fairly satisfactory. I caught up on years of dental work in Taiwan as it's way too costly in Canada.
The dentists back here in Canada say the work was all done okay but I will eventually need a root canal on the deep filling, not the fault of the Taiwanese dentist, and damn if it won't cost WAY more than in Taiwan even with a dental plan here. I think it would be cheaper to fly to Taipei and find a dentist, give him my old health card, and get it done there.

[pinkflyd7]

I recently moved back to America, but before I left I wanted to see a dentist in Taiwan. The Taiwanese dentist told me that I had had four cavities that needed fillings. I didn't believe the guy. I've only had two cavities in my entire life, so this seemed very fishy.

Sure enough, once I got back to America and saw an American dentist, I was told my teeth were fine and had no cavities whatsoever.

So...always get a second, or third opinion before you let them do any extensive dental work.

[craigzy]

this board is dying.

oh, and something about teeth.