Job Discussion Forums

InterRick · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 86

What is the state of dentistry in KSA? Is it up to Western standards? I mean for things like prosthetics. I am considering getting an implant and I am wondering if I should get it now or wait until I get there.

How about costs?

I haven't seen the exact wording of my contract yet, and I know I have medical coverage but is prosthetic dentistry usually covered?

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:46 pm Post subject:

Dear InterRick,
Try this thread:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=72667&highlight=dentist

and this one

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=65223&highlight=dentist

You'll have to scroll down a bit on this; it starts off talking about eyeglasses.

My personal experience of dental care in Saudi was that it was excellent and very reasonable (Delta Dental in Riyadh.)

Regards,
John
P.S. You might want to try the "Search" function first; that's how I got the threads.

freesoul · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:38 pm Post subject:

Dental is very expensive and very rarely included in a contract, and when it isthere, it is just for basic check-ups and/or whitening.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:43 pm Post subject:

Dear freesoul,
Very expensive? Compared to what? Not to the US or GB. Have you read the posters on the other threads mentioned? And in my experience (my brother-in-law is a dentist in Braintree, Massachusetts), the cost in Saudi is below that in the States.
Regards,
John

InterRick · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 86

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:46 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I have had root canal and other procedures done recently in Dhahran
Nio complaints
Reasonable price
My insurance pays up to a ceiling of 2000 SR annually

The dentist I use is Syrian - behind the Holiday Inn on the Khobar-Dammam Road

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject:

Dear InterRick,

"I especially enjoyed the Joseph Heller discussion."

Glad to have been of service (so to speak.)

Regards,
John

InterRick · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 86

How about an implant? One of those two-stage deals.

How much for that?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Expensive - but maybe (??) cheaper than in God's Own Country.

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

I might worry a little about implants. They can be very problematic if your dentist is not very good and VERY hygienic. I would be very careful about which dentist I used even here in the US. ...lots of nightmare stories about implants...

VS

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

I also had good dental care in the Kingdom. BUT, it seemed to me and others that a lot of expensive procedures were suggested that, at least in my case, proved unnecessary. I skipped them, and later found out that I didn't really need them.

I also had an unnecessary root canal- wrong tooth! I wasn't charged for the other tooth, but no-one wants a root canal, even when required!

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

You could check the cost of dental work in Thailand. I checked the Apollo Hospital Group website for implants in India and the cost seemed to be around $800 an implant. An Indian friend of mine got one done in Hyderbad for $250 from his local dentist but you would be unlikely to find one that cheap from outside the country.

If you need an implant and regularly go on holiday somewhere in Eastern Europe, Asia or Central or South America, you'll probably make a considerable saving on the US or UK cost, though most international sites I check up on seem to be around $1,000 going upwards. Do remember you'll need to make two journeys, one to have the screw fitted, and the second some months later when it has fused to the bone to have the tooth fitted.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:18 am Post subject:

Whatever you do, don't have cosmetic dental work done in Ireland.

Things are so bad that travelling to the UK (NI) for extensive dental work represents considerable savings on Irish prices. And Britain is not exactly renowned for its low cost of living!

InterRick · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 86