Job Discussion Forums

YellowHair · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 41 Location: HK

I will be starting a teaching job in HK next week. I was just wondering if the national health insurance covers any dental work as well like it does for some in other countries. Also, is it expensive in general to have dental work in Hong Kong? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

YH

ChrisRose · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hong Kong

There are a lot of excellent dentist in Hong Kong.

As for insurance, many options are available. You can find dental insurance policies in brochure form in banks, the Professional Teacher's Union offices etc.

As for low cost dental work, something I would like, there is always the opportunity for a border hop over to Shenzhen.

briandwest · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 98 Location: Hong Kong

"national health insurance" does not exist in HK. You pay for anything you have done at the dentist (or doctor) e.g. filling ~ $300, check-up ~$200.
You can purchase Health Insurance that includes coverage for dental work, but I have yet to come across a policy that doesn't cost more than the average dental work you'll need every year.
Chris is right that Shenzhen is cheaper, but I'd only go to a dentist that has been personally recommended. For big work, Thailand is another option.

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

Not really specific to Hong Kong, but as well as agreeing with the above comment on the extra expense for policies covering dental treatment being likely more than you'd pay for the treatment you have anyway, I'd also advise a lot of caution over how much dental treatment such policies really do cover.

I recently got caught out over the insurer's definition of "natural teeth". I checked carefully what kind kind of dental treatment they covered and found that it included "routine treatment to natural teeth including fillings and x-rays." I had a couple of fillings replaced, claimed for them but was told that as the teeth had been treated before, they were not regarded as "natural teeth". Seems to me like they really meant 'previously untreated' rather than 'natural', which I don't think is the same thing!

Bottom line is, many companies offering health insurance policies to expats know dental treatment is something many of us worry about and can be easily seduced into the extra expense of taking out extra cover for, but be wary.