Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mysteryadam]

Hey guys, been having a rough week, need some advice.

Last Thursday, I was out at a BBQ place in the Suwon area, I chomped down on a stone that was in my bap, and it broke my tooth. My hagwon owner brought me to the dentist, and he told me that my tooth is broken, that it has a crack from one side to the other, and I have no other choice but to have it pulled and a new one put in. I don't mind losing a tooth, it is in the back and no one will see it, but he told me that a new tooth will cost 1.5 million won.

I sent an email to my dentist in Yankeeland, but obviously I have not heard back yet. Anyone have any advice?

Too long, didn't read: Dentist wants to pull my tooth. Wat do? Is 1.5 mil too much for a new tooth? Don't have health insurance yet, hagwon owner told me I need to be here for three months before I am eligible. Is that true? I have no idea. Should I get a second opinion?

Thanks guys. You have always been really helpful.

[OculisOrbis]

You dont have to be in korea for more than 90 days, your period of sojourn needs to be longer than 90 days - a tourist isnt eligible, an employee on a one year work visa is not only eligible, but required to be enrolled.

If you have your ARC card, you should already be enrolled by your employer. It sounds as though you have not been enrolled yet and your boss is covering their butt hoping you dont call their bluff (because they never had any intention of enrolling you as an employee).

National Health Insurance
02 - 390 - 2000

"When is the effective date of coverage for the employee insured?

The enrollment is effective on the employee's first date at work. For the employees who hadn't been covered by the NHI program, their coverage has been compulsory since the first of January in 2006."

http://www.nhic.or.kr/portal/site/eng/menuitem.1ae3bb69fc2bea0644416433062310a0/?purl=01_01.html

[mysteryadam]

Interesting! I have an ARC card (got it last week) but my employer told me that I still have to wait 3 months for health insurance. So, legally, I am entitled to health insurance regardless of what my employer says?

I work for CDI, if that helps.

The dentist asked me for my ARC card, and I gave it to them, but they did not say anything about insurance.

Christ, what a nightmare. My tooth hurts so much. Off to Family Mart for some Soju.

You understand.

Thanks guys

[Dog Soldier]

I'm having some (cosmetic) dental implants done and all in all, I am paying about 1.5 million per tooth (having 2). This includes all surgery blah blah blah.

Bad news though my dentist says it takes up to 6 months before the implant can be attached, which brings me to the next question.

Were you quoted for a bridge or a dental implant? If it's a bridge, 1.5 million sounds way to much just for 1 tooth.

[mysteryadam]

The dentist said that a bridge and an implant were the same price: 1.5 mil. From what you have said, I think I need a second opinion. For the time being, I'm just gonna suck it up and lose a tooth. As I said, it is in the back, so no one will notice. oh well.

[computermichael]

Wait until your next vacation and go somewhere that has drastically cheaper dentistry.

[Dog Soldier]

I would go to another dentist for a second opinion, as when I was being quoted for my work done there was about 700,00 won difference between a bridge and an single implant.

[Died By Bear]

If you're talking about an implant, then 1.5 is very cheap. My dentist in the U.S. just charged me $2,130.34 for a molar implant.


If you want the best price in Korea, go to Kyung Hee university dental teaching hospital. The head of implants speaks excellent English and travels back and forth between Seoul and LA where he lives a few months out of the year. Awesome guy.

[mysteryadam]

[Oreovictim]

I cracked my tooth in half, but there was still enough material for a crown. That was a lot cheaper - about 350,000 won for me.

Don't let your director get away with this. Good luck!

[winterfall]

I lost a tooth too, it was for an abscess though. Honestly if you've got the chance to plant the roots at the same time it's pulled. It'll make your life easier. Otherwise when you do it later, it'll take longer. About 3 to 4 months.

If you don't get it, the partner tooth, top or bottom is gonna get crooked and loose cause there's no support. Not to mention you'll end up grinding your teeth every night. It's been almost 2 yrs since I lost my back, bottom left and you can see the top tooth is starting to rotate to the side. Not to mention, I can't eat as many different kinds of foods like I used to. Like crunchy foods, they scratch the empty gum socket. So I can only chew them on my right side but, since all the food is being munched there, that side gets really sore. The worse ones are chips and chewy stuff like steaks tire out my jaw.

1.5 for an implant is VERY GOOD. In the states, they wanted 8 grand and it's not covered by insurance.

[T-dot]

Get another opinion to see if that tooth is worth saving.

A crown would be the cheapest choice unless your surrounding tooth is also decayed or broken etc.. Im not a dentist, but I dont think a proper dentist would shave a perfectly good tooth in order to attach a bridge.

Implants will probably go for about 1.5.
Bridge and crowns for less.

A portion of your root canal should be covered under your medical, but the rest wont be.

[mysteryadam]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'm going for a second opinion. And, thank you for telling me that doing an implant on the same day as pulling the tooth is a good idea. They did not tell me that.

Still can't believe it takes 3 months for a new tooth. But, whatever,

[goesslry]

Your employer is required to enroll you in health insurance. There is no 90 day waiting period. He is trying to save a few bucks. Call him on his bluff, or if he doesn't cop up the money, call the health insurance office.

On a seperate note, check out this dentist in Sadang area. He is very very good, speaks English, and works with many foreigners. HIghly Highly recommended. Plus, i bet he would do it for cheaper. Tell him Ryan recommended you. He is very good and inexpensive.

Dr. Cho at Mideum Dentist: 02-585-1488.

Faith DentalFaith Dental (믿음치과). Located in the Sadang area of Seoul (Exit 6), Faith Dental Clinic provides superior dental services in a friendly, relaxing atmosphere. Dr. Cho is an excellent dentist who speaks English well, and takes great care of all of his patients. To get to Faith Dental Clinic, go to Sadang Station (Number 4 Blue Line, and Number 2 Green Line), and go out Exit 6. Take the very first left, and the clinic will be on the left.

[mysteryadam]