Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SeoulShakin]

I know I need a lot of dental work done (a few fillings). I hate the dentist, and have been putting it off for a long time.

My question is this - is it better to get my work done here in Korea, or wait till I'm in Thailand in August? Which is cheaper? Which would do better work?

Anyone know?
Thanks!

[just alittlecrazy]

prices seem good here but i don't know about thailand tho. i've had two crowns done and the service etc was excellent. if i had more time/money i'd have other work done here before going home.

[SeoulShakin]

I thought I remembered reading somewhere that in Thailand (Bangkok) they had standardized pricing, and it was cheaper than here. I could be wrong though I guess.

[alwaysfaithless]

Hi folks, new to the forum, been in S. Korea for 7 months now. In response to your question, I had to go to two different dentists to have crowns done. The first dentist did such a horrible job I almost went insane. The second dentist, who was more attentive to my needs, charged me almost double, but the results are excellent. If you are planning on having dental work done, you may need to go back for examination, extra care or what not, so it is best to be in the country where you will be working/living for awhile in case you need to go back due to unforseen problems.

[mercury]

Do you like pain??? If not, go to Thailand! No joke!!

[Binch Lover]

I got some fillings done in Bangkok, and while it was much cheaper than back home, I can't compare costs to here since I've never been to the dentist in Korea

[kermo]

I've had a little work done here, and here's the story so far:

Broken filling: The dentist repaired it with amalgam and patched up another filling that was in rough shape. Each filling costs 100,000 won.

A month later...
Horrible pain in one of the fixed teeth. Dentist says the decay was too close to the root, so root canal is needed. He does the root canal right away (it's not fun, but it's not too bad, and it feels a LOT better than not treating it at all.) However, the root of my molar is weirdly curved, and he refers me to a specialist (endodontist) to get it finished. He puts a temporary fill in (which tastes pretty weird) and only charges me for the x-ray (12,000 won)!

By the way, this guy is in downtown Yongin, is very kind, and speaks pretty good English.

Does anyone know how much a crown is going to cost me?

[SeoulShakin]

I had a root canal done last year, and the crown cost way more than the root canal. Mine was around 350,000won. Can't remember exactly. He said I had other fillings to do, but he was quoting me between 100,000 and 150,000 for each one. When you have like 4 .... it's quite pricey. Hence, why I was thinking of Thailand.

Uggh... I hate the dentist!

[peppermint]

I think I paid about 250,000 for my crown, and fillings are covered by local medical insurance, should cost less than man won

[SeoulShakin]

Fillings are covered? My dentist last year told me that fillings were not covered by the National Health Insurance plan, and that it was all going to be out of pocket costs. What dentist do you go to that they said it was covered by insurance?

[JongnoGuru]

Is it me or do a statistically excessive number foreign English teachers in their 20s suddenly require a buttload of dental work the minute (or first few years) after arriving in Korea?

[hellofaniceguy]

Hands down...Thailand

[root555]

I honestly don't know about Thailand, but if you do decide to do it in Korea- here is my suggestion. I put this in another post:

"I heard that the dental clinic at Seoul National University is very reputable, and the dentists there speak very good English. It was recommended on another expat message board, and my friend went there and also confirmed that they are very good.

I understand your concern though. Honestly- I've heard some horror stories. One teacher friend of mine went to a place outside of Seoul, and had to get a root canal. He mentioned that they were slow in administering the pain medication!!!!

Anyway- I think it should be reasonable for you at SNU if you have health insurance (although I can't quote specific costs.) One thing though- if you do have a cavity- make sure to ask for the plaster filings (white ones that match the color of your teeth.) My sister, who is a dental assistant, was warning me that a lot of the filings used in other parts of the world still have some mercury in them. And a lot of the children I've seen have these (silver looking,) filings. The white ones do cost a little bit more- but are well worth it."


Wherever you choose to do dental work- good luck to you- (and get the white fillings!)

[just alittlecrazy]

my understanding is that fillings etc are covered by insurance altho you may have to pay a part charge. i paid very little for my treatment (root canal etc with anaesthetic!) but paid 350,00 won for the post and crown. not sure if that was the full cost of materials. cosmetic treatment is not covered (teeth whitening etc). but cetrtianly go to a dentist that some refers, i'm not in seoul so can't help there.

JongnoGuru wrote:

[SeoulShakin]

So I think perhaps the dentist I went to last year was ripping me off. He said fillings weren't covered at all, and I had to pay the full cost. I only got one done, and didn't do the others cause it was a lot of money. But I know I need the work done, and I just want to make sure I'm not going to get screwed in the wallet. Oh, and when he did my filling, he didn't use an anaesthetic (though he did for the root canal).

So my question is this, for those who have had fillings done here in Korea (the white ones), and had your health insurance cover part, if not all of the cost, can you please tell me where your dentist is? Thanks.