Korean Job Discussion Forums

[coffeeman]

I think I might need to visit a dentist soon. How have your experiences been here?

There are a lot of so-called Korean "International Clinics", but I am worried they might also have foreigner-only prices - ie:"rip-off" prices.

I don't need to chat with my dentist. I just need him to work on my teeth. How good or bad is the ordinary neighborhood dentist?

For communication, I would just have a Korean-speaking friend come with me to the clinic.

[Wangja]

The biggest advantage of Korean dentists is that they are here.

I have had loads done here over the years, all competent and they will give as much painkiller as you want. From my one experience in USA, I'd say that the costs are one third of the US.

[Newbie]

I have had fairly positive experiences with them.

One cleaning, no problems.

I have a bridge that came out here a couple of years ago. They pop it back it in but it keeps popping out every 6-8 months. So, in this area, they aren't doing as good of a job as Canadian dentists. (pops out every 3-4 years when I get it done in Canada)

They are VERY CHEAP though, so that is a bonus.

And it seems that a good number of them have some workable English. Also, I have found the female dentists nicer than the male dentists (but this is only a score of about 5-2, so perhaps meaningless) They seem to try harder to speak English and make me feel comfortable.

[peppermint]

While you probably don't have to go to an international clinic, I'd ask around to find a dentist that has a good rep. There's a thread in the FAQ somewhere on this.

Fillings and things are rediculously cheap here, though I think you need your medical insurance card.

[denverdeath]

[kimchi craver]

I lived in Korea for 5 years and went regularly to the "best" dentist in my city. I had a LOT of work done - wisdom teeth pulled, root canals, a crown and my mercury fillings all replaced. Since returning to Canada I've been to two good dentists and they were both appalled at what they saw. I had to have all of my fillings replaced again because the material used in Korea was substandard and was quickly wearing away. Some of the fillings I had done in Korea were put on top of existing cavities. I was lucky that I've lost only one tooth since. I still have to get an implant to replace it. After two years of corrective procedures (luckily I have good dental coverage!) I can finally eat "O-Jing-uh" again!

Beware of Korean dentists I say!

[crazylemongirl]

After many tries I went to a good dentist here. He did my wisdom teeth removal and replaced two amlgam fillings with resin for 120k (with health card). But this was after other dentists were telling me I needed half a dozen fillings at 2-300k a pop. Beware the dentists that advertise as being 'for foreigners' they tend to be the most pricey of the lot.

[ThePoet]

I've had three fillings and one gold crown since I've been here. each was to fix broken teeth (the food here is hard???)

The fillings were less than 10,000 won each and the gold crown was 210,000 Won. the work was great and the dentist was the first one I've evr been to that I wasn't writhing in pain and with one filling he didn't even use novacaine.

My dentist speaks just a little English, but he draws well. I've been very pleased.

Poet

[Francis-Pax]

I have nothing but good things to say about the dentists in Korea. Most recently, one of my molars cracked and broke. I went to my normal dentist in Ilsan, where I live. She treated it as much as she could and sent me to Yonsei University Hospital to see a specialist. The technology at Yonsei was beyond belief. My denstist there spoke perfect English and he was very kind. The root canal and crown was very cheap when compared to what it would cost in the USA. And the best part, I never felt a thing.

I have nothing but respect for Korean dentists, at least for those that I know. I totally trust them.

[Bee Positive]

My experience in this area is extremely limited.

However, for what it may be worth, here goes:

In Busan, on the top floor of the Hyundai department store, you'll be well taken care of.

The two dentists here are both Dr. Kim's (unrelated). Both speak more than passable English. Both are very, very pleasant in demeanor. They are also very well trained and well up to international standards.

One of the two Dr. Kim's was for a time my private student (strictly legal, just for the record) and is on his way in February for postdoctoral studies at UCLA. If THAT doesn't inspire confidence, I don't know what will.

Korea is just small enough that a single tip like this should be all that you need. If you're not physically in Busan at the moment, hop on the train. It's under three hours now from Seoul.

Tell the cab driver in front of the station to take you the Hyundai department store.

Take the elevator up to the top floor.

You'll get world-class dental care from sympathetic, English-speaking dentists. The assistants also more or less speak English, are very kind, and seem to know what they're doing. I saw them take walk-ins, too, during my visit there. Your being a foreigner and possibly not a Korean speaker will not in any way be a problem. Just show up, tell them what you want done, and don't be surprised if it's done for you right away.

Then pop down to Haeundae beach and see what you're missing if you're unfortunate enough to be stuck in Seoul.

Busan Gwang-yeok-shi: A haven of sunlight and (relative) sanity at the extreme end of a dark and foreboding country! Drop on down!



BEE POSITIVE

[Qinella]

I've got a couple teeth that have been killing me for the past ... 6 months. They are what I call "problem teeth", and result in cavities pretty much once a year or so.

I went to a visit two weeks ago. The dentist poked around in my mouth for about 10 seconds and declared, "No cavities."

Yeah, my teeth are still killing me. Can't wait to get back to the US and pay 8 million dollars for two fillings.

[fidel]

If you live in Seoul make an appointment at Samsung Medical Center in Gangnam. It's a tertiary hospital but for the oral health department you don't need a referral. There is however a one month waiting time to get an appointment.

You are guaranteed excellent care (whichis why there is a one month waiting list) top technology and cheap to boot.

[pdxsteve]

I've found an excellent dentist here in Suwon. It's a Cali-Dent franchise and the dentist is Korean-American and speaks English very well. Graduated from a Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago. He has all the latest equipment and the office is clean and friendly. I had to have a fairly complicated root canal and gold crown treatment and it cost about 300,000 without insurance.

[ratslash]

i have a nice tale.

one of my wisdom teeth started hurting. well, in fact, it wasn't the actual tooth, it was the gum around it. i thought it would go away, it didn't, fiancee drags me to the dentist.

walk in and it was the neatest, shiniest, loveliest dentist i had ever set foot in. 'this looks ok' says i.

i get taken through, straight away may i add with no appointment booked. i sit down and the dentist presses the buttons, i lean back, he says open, i open. he looks at the problem area for THREE SECONDS, if that and announces that i need my wisdom TEETH taken out, not just the troublesome one, ALL OF THEM!

'now, now,' says i, 'i don't think so. major operation, sometimes resulting in the breaking of jaws. no chance!'

anyway, the dentist shrugs his shoulders and gives the aforementioned tooth and gum area a good clean and gives me a prescription for a mouth wash and tablets.

turns out that i had a mild gum infection and a week later it was all ok.

i don't know what the dentist was playing at saying that i needed my wisdom TEETH removed. i guess he was just after making a quick buck out of me.

anyway, i am sure the other dentists are ok.

[kalbi]

I had very negative experienes with about 5 dentists here and had had it. However, I tried one more, and she was a charm. She is one of the best dentists I have ever had, very gentle, clean office, good command of English, friendly staff. I think that her prices are reasonable too.

Her name is Dr. Lee at Seoul Mirae Dental Clinic on the light blue subway line. The name of the station is Sungshin Women's University, I believe exit 5. The phone number there is 929-9270. You may pm me for more details.