Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Fofazoju]

So I have some toothaches and know I have at LEAST some cavities.

I went to the dentist here a few years ago, and he didn't tell me I had any cavities but one potential on its way.....fast foward to a few months ago, and the salesman - I'm sorry, the dentist said I needed 3. I would have believed him more had he spent more time discussing my treatment plan rather than my payment plan. I keep meaning to get a second opinion, but I leave in Uiejongbu, and as far as I know he is the only one around that speaks English.

I will probably end up getting the root canals done here, but does anyone else out there feel as if the quality in dentistry is sketchy? Maybe it is all over, the last time I have been to the dentists in Canada I was covered, so I didnt really think twice about stuff.

Anyway...my question is this:

Those whom have received dental care here, and specifically ROOT CANALS, how have you found the results. I am not overly concerned about price, I know it is cheaper here than back home. But I have little faith in much of Korean health care. Do they use the latest top-knotch equipment? Part of me wants to wait till I am back home and covered (which will be about a year from now), but I don't want the infection to get worse (which it inevitably would).

What to do!

[princess]

Yes, many dentists AND doctors are on the sketchy side here. Many doctors under diagnose or over diagnose. I saw a dentist here a few years ago who told me I had a cavity when I really didn't. I didn't believe him, saw my dentist in the US and of course, everything was fine. No cavities whatsoever. I have never had a cavity, and I think if I did I would know it. I need to have my teeth cleaned. It's been 2 years and I keep putting it off because I am so scared of dentists here. Last time I was in the states, I saw my dentist for a cleaning after almost 3 years. He said I had major plaque buildup and to never go that long between cleanings again. I told him I had been in Korea and was scared of dentists here since they lie about someone having cavities. But soon, I must suck it up and go to a dentist. I can't go 3 years again without my cleaning. As of this month, it will be 2....I have a name ofa dentist in Gangnam who is internationally trained, so I guess that is where I will go.

[CeleryMan]

That international diploma always gets em! I suppose a sucker is born everyday, more so in Korea than elsewhere? An effective emotional placebo nonetheless.

[dr. love]

There are many very good dentists here and also some bad dentists as well. It is up to you to find the good ones, which can be difficult being a foreigner here. At the hospital where I work, we have a full service dental center. The doctors have all spent several years abroad studying and working and are fluent in English and very skilled. If you'd like a referral, send me a p.m.

[agoodmouse]

I'm getting porcelain caps put in next week.

[Fofazoju]

how much are your caps?

[Tony_Balony]

The quality of the dentistry here is "good".

[Kimchieluver]

[hogwonguy1979]

my cousin is the office manager for a large dental practice in florida and while i was there i had her boss take a look at the bridgework and crowns i've had done here. he thought they were very good, when i told him the price he was shocked at how cheap it was compared to there.

[Fofazoju]

I don't doubt that the cleaning is OK. I mean how hard is it to scrap plaque off someone's teeth? And we all NEED that done, no questions or concerns on that.

My question is more about whether they look at it more from the business side and do unnecessary work which SEEMS to be the case.

I am not worried about the cost. In fact, I think it's that very mentality that the dentists here have. They KNOW it is cheaper than North America, therefore think we will jump to get any and all work done here they deem "necessary". They say" root canal", we get scared thinking of the costs back in Canada/America and say OK!! SIGN ME UP!!

When I went in for my cleaning, the dentist spent SO much time discussing the payment plan (which was the FIRST thing he mentioned, not "ok, this is how it will go down..." he said "ok, let's discuss prices....") we actually DIDN'T HAVE time to do my cleaning! It could have been cause I said I didn't want to have the root canals yet, but he just said I had to come back the next day to do it. Talk about service.

Then doing a search on Daves I found similar concerns.

Yes, I am worried about the quality, but thinking about it, I am more concerned about getting screwed over and getting unnecessary work done, I mean these are my teeth!! I only get one set

[sistersarah]

I think it's good to go to a dentist based on a recommendation or that you know through someone. My father-in-law's friend is a dentist, so I went there since I knew I wouldn't get jerked around price-wise.

The only problem I had was when he put the drill in my mouth without freezing my mouth.... I felt a little zing and nearly lept out of the chair. I said he could not continue without freezing it, and none of that topical stuff. So, he did and he did a good job. gold filling for $160.

[rokricky]

I tried to get a scaling and he said that they were clean already. Then, the dental hygienist flossed my teeth and sent me on my merry way without charging me a cent.

[chris_J2]

I had 2 root canal / porcelain caps done at Trueden in Ilsan, in Dec 2006, & another in Jinju, in late 2007. No problems with either. The dentist in Ilsan had trained in Chicago, USA, & spoke good English.

The first bill was around 700k won & 2nd was about 300k won. Half the price that I would pay in Australia.

http://wiki.galbijim.com/English-speaking_dentists

[ultra]

I've had several root canal treatments, several restorations using gold fillings, and two implants. Satisfied with the results.

[Saxiif]

Hmmm, haven't gotten a cleaning in eight years. I should probably do something about that.