Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jjurabong]

First of all, I have to second an earlier recommendation made here ( tried to resurrect the earlier thread, but couldn't find it) about Dr. Choi at the Ye dental clinic in the Seoul Financial Center in Gwanghwamun.

I had such a horrible experience with scaling at my previous dentist's that I've been putting off a much-needed cleaning.

The clinic is absolutely spotless and new-looking, the assistant and dentist both speak fluent English and are personable. They really took time with me to explain everything to me, and show me everything on camera, and they completely froze my mouth for scaling . I swear, it was almost like getting a massage.

The Dentist trained in the US and has done specialty training in handling dental phobia. If you are at all nervous, or especially sensitive to pain, this place is like nirvana.

That being said, it's not so cheap. For a check-up, x-rays, scaling and 5 shots of anasthetic ( that's right - 5)it cost 200,000. For the attentiveness, English service and pain consideration, to me, that's totally worth it.

Now if you've been reading this long, here's the question.

As much as I think this doc is the bee's knees, I am tentative about getting further work done here due to cost. One of my teeth needs a root canal with a full crown, and they are quoting 750,000 for that one tooth. As I said, I don't mind paying more for such excellent service, but is that really too much?

[jdog2050]

[Tukkong]

Dr Kim's Dental Clinic
Soon Joo Kim, DDS, PhD
889-5 Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu
Champs-Elysees Center A-3F
Tel: 02-563 9860

Dr Kim speaks English and studied his PhD in the United States.

Take Exit 1 at Seonreung Station. The building is immediately outside the exit. His receptionist speaks some English, but she will get Dr Kim on the phone.

He charged me a little over 400,000 won for a root canal (this was without health insurance). Korean insurance doesn't cover crowns.

I found out about Dr Kim when someone else on this board recommended him.

[jjurabong]

Hi Tukkong,

I'm just curious if that price included a full crown - not a partial. And thanks for the info

[Tukkong]

It is a full crown for a molar. It is a ceramic one with a metal interior.

One thing about him was that he was very patient about the treatment. I had a problem with moisture developing in the canals. A previous dentist told me that it was taking too long to dry. Therefore, he was going to fill it and see what happened. If there had been a problem with moisture, he was going to operate through the gum. Hence, I ditched that dentist and went to Dr Kim.

I think I visited him 8 times before the problem was fixed. He only charged me the fixed price, as agreed upon before the treatment.

The cost covered all treatment including the crown. If you have insurance, he will probably charge the normal way. For me, it was a good deal and I still go to him twice a year.