Korean Job Discussion Forums

[misschel]

In terms of general dentistry (fillings, teeth cleanings, checkups etc) in Korea, how easy is it to find a decent dentist?
Also, are there cosmetic dentists who preform dental implants or veneers? I'm assuming since your can have laser eye surgery done, this must also be available. I'm wondering if anyone has had any type of dental surgery done and what the costs would be?

[misschel]

No one here has been to the dentist while living in Korea??

[LeChuck]

I'm not in Korea yet (I will be for March 1), but when the principal of my school was explaning my health coverage to me he made the following comment:

"Dental: very cheap since half is covered by the insurance. For example, I just got a filling and it cost me a total of US$17!"

So, assuming you don't have dental coverage (which covers 50% of your expenses), you'll probably be looking at about $30-$40 for a filling. Not sure about the rest of the procedures, though.

I hope that helps.

[moosehead]

I WANT DENTAL INSURANCE TOO !!!!

OH MY GOD HAS KOREA BEEN HOLDING OUT ON US ENGLISH TEACHERS???

NO DENTAL - !!! WHAT????


seriously, he said that?? the natl plan everyone is on only covers emergency dental, nothing else. but he is right, dental is pretty reasonable compared to the West.

there are a multitude of dentists, many whom speak E but at the same time, many assts don't so it's hard to call them up and obtain info.

mostly you need to keep posting, look up some old threads and ask specifically what kind of dentist you are looking for.

there are also several dental hospitals here in Seoul

[misschel]

I'm not in Korea yet either...same start date for me too.
I've also heard it's cheap there too, which is fantastic b/c I'm not insured at all in Canada and I don't even want to know what going to the dentist would cost me here!

I'm looking for a decent dentist for general stuff, which I can prob find by asking people in the city I'm going to.
But I was curious about procedures that are considered cosmetic and if they'd be cheaper in Korea. Usually the best way to find is by word of mouth, so anyone who has sought after and found such a dentist, it would be great to hear about it.

[moosehead]

once again - you need to be more specific - are you looking for implants, crowns, polishing, etc.

then ask - there are any number of good dentists here and while not cheap by any means, it is maybe half what you'd pay in the west.

[oldtactics]

There are lots and lots of cosmetic dentists in Itaewon and Hongdae - I've never looked elsewhere but I assume there are probably one or two in whatever city you're in, in addition to the other dentists. I can't give you prices for invasive procedures but I've had laser whitening and some other topical work and it was less than half what I would pay in Canada without insurance. I also have a friend who got invisible braces and they were about half as much as what they would cost in North America.

That quote about cavity filling is pretty accurate, generally about $20-$30. I'm sure you'll be able to find a dentist easily once you get settled. Good luck!

[CPT]

[oldtactics]

I don't remember exactly how much it was but I think it was around 400,000 won for two sessions and the initial consultation/followup visit. Definitely an investment but the same procedure costs $1000-$1200 Canadian so I was happy with the cost and the results have been great.

I can't find the paperwork with the information about where I went but I found my dentist just by looking around my area so I'm sure it would be easy for you to get some quotes from a few places for the work you want to have done when you get here.

[Bryan]

[blackjack]

Where are you I know of a good place in anyang

[Yesterday]

I can recommend to you an EXCELLENT dentist - the clinic is at MongChontoseong Station (pink link 8 )

pm. - if you want the details - the dentist is very qualified and speaks very good English.

With medical insurance (NHIC) your root canals and fillings are covered and very cheap.

Without medical insurance (or for optional extra service)
- you are looking at

scaling: 50,000~60,000won
root canals 120,000won
fillings (white) 60,000won
caps (white) 250,000won
caps (gold) 400,000won
Teeth whitening/bleaching: (1 hour X 2 times) 450,000won


I just completed having two (2) root canals, fillings, two (2) gold caps, scaling and teeth whitening/bleaching

took me 9 visits to the dentist over a 4 week period and cost me 1.7million - however my teeth are now SPARKLING!

[misschel]

Thanks for all the replies.
I'll be moving to Gwangju. But I prob won't mind traveling around to find a good dentist.
I'm looking for fillings, teeth cleanings, checkups, get a new bite plate made for teeth grinding. As for cosmetic, I'm interested in dental implants or veneers. They're a bit out of my price league in canada, so though I'd check around my new home.
Any info by pm would be greatly appreciated!

[acousticlive]

Hey, Yesterday, can I get some info about the location of that dentist? I would pm you, but I can't.

[OBwannabe]