How I Beat The Pattaya Dentist Cartel

[JSixpack]

Pattaya dentists, like other businesses here, follow cartel-like price fixing. That is clear from the fact that they all charge about the same prices, in nice round numbers. And those prices are relatively too high, especially for farangs.

Now, the price at a PTY clinic for teeth cleaning supposedly starts at 400 baht. I take great care of my teeth, and they hardly need a 6-month cleaning, so that's what I should pay. Yet inevitably, after a quick routine cleaning, I'm charged 700-800 baht. (Forget BP or PI hospital prices, which reach 1,200 with a lot of little tacked-on charges: the cotton, the water, the needle, mileage on the drill bit, laundering the face covering, whatever).

This kind of constant sharp pricing in PTY is wearing and I like to try to beat it whenever possible.

Which I did in this case. Banglamung Hospital has got a dental clinic, so I got my teeth cleaned there for B280 and got three small cosmetic fillings for B600. The quality of the work was as good I've gotten in a clinic. The only downside is that you have to get there early, about 8:00 AM, as they only take 40 patients per day, and it must be on a weekday; and you'll probably wait about 2 hours. I spent my 2 hours, each time, reading a book and listening to my MP3 player.

To use a Thai public hospital such as Banglamung, it really, really helps to speak basic Thai or go w/ a Thai friend, but you could probably survive w/o either if you're well-mannered, tolerant, and patient, and maybe have phrase book to show phrases in Thai. All my experiences at Thai public hospitals have been pleasant, except for the getting up early and waiting. Most doctors do have a smattering of English.

Now, as a recent thread attests, many of our besotted PTY punters will be highly concerned about the cuteness of the dentist. We need a site for comparing photos, do we not? I can tell you that I had a root canal done at St Louis (BKK) by a HOT young thing and not only did she overcharge but did lousy work to boot. An incompetent dentist can do a helluva lot of damage. So I don't give a shit what a dentist, or a surgeon, looks like. But at Banglamung--sorry, guys (and lesbians I guess)--I just couldn't see much behind the dental masks and head coverings, though the "fillings" lady, a Chula grad, had very nice eyes. If those aren't good enough for you, then you'll just need to drool elsewhere (pun intended) and pay 3-4 times more for said drooling. What about fixating on some young female patients out in the waiting room? The public hospitals usually have large crowded waiting rooms, so there's bound to be one or two there.

Anyway--take THAT, overpriced Pattaya private dental clinics and hospitals!

[LennyW]

Another cheap charlie farang being a burden on "Thai" public services!!

So some needy Thai person missed out on their (limited) opportunity at the dentist that day because of your vanity - Jeeez!, no wonder you feel so good about yourself!

[syd barrett]

Pattaya dentists, like other businesses here, follow cartel-like price fixing. That is clear from the fact that they all charge about the same prices, in nice round numbers. And those prices are relatively too high, especially for farangs.

Now, the price at a PTY clinic for teeth cleaning supposedly starts at 400 baht. I take great care of my teeth, and they hardly need a 6-month cleaning, so that's what I should pay. Yet inevitably, after a quick routine cleaning, I'm charged 700-800 baht. (Forget BP or PI hospital prices, which reach 1,200 with a lot of little tacked-on charges: the cotton, the water, the needle, mileage on the drill bit, laundering the face covering, whatever).

This kind of constant sharp pricing in PTY is wearing and I like to try to beat it whenever possible.

Which I did in this case. Banglamung Hospital has got a dental clinic, so I got my teeth cleaned there for B280 and got three small cosmetic fillings for B600. The quality of the work was as good I've gotten in a clinic. The only downside is that you have to get there early, about 8:00 AM, as they only take 40 patients per day, and it must be on a weekday; and you'll probably wait about 2 hours. I spent my 2 hours, each time, reading a book and listening to my MP3 player.

To use a Thai public hospital such as Banglamung, it really, really helps to speak basic Thai or go w/ a Thai friend, but you could probably survive w/o either if you're well-mannered, tolerant, and patient, and maybe have phrase book to show phrases in Thai. All my experiences at Thai public hospitals have been pleasant, except for the getting up early and waiting. Most doctors do have a smattering of English.

Now, as a recent thread attests, many of our besotted PTY punters will be highly concerned about the cuteness of the dentist. We need a site for comparing photos, do we not? I can tell you that I had a root canal done at St Louis (BKK) by a HOT young thing and not only did she overcharge but did lousy work to boot. An incompetent dentist can do a helluva lot of damage. So I don't give a shit what a dentist, or a surgeon, looks like. But at Banglamung--sorry, guys (and lesbians I guess)--I just couldn't see much behind the dental masks and head coverings, though the "fillings" lady, a Chula grad, had very nice eyes. If those aren't good enough for you, then you'll just need to drool elsewhere (pun intended) and pay 3-4 times more for said drooling. What about fixating on some young female patients out in the waiting room? The public hospitals usually have large crowded waiting rooms, so there's bound to be one or two there.

Anyway--take THAT, overpriced Pattaya private dental clinics and hospitals!

A fair report.

But I consider dental treatment in Pattaya to be very affordable for my budget (and I'm a Cheap-Charlie). So I would not queue up at Banglamung government hospital to save a few hundred baht without feeling some guilt.

Hospital treatment is a different matter. I cannot afford BKK-Pattaya Hospital rates, so I would use Sattahip Hospital.

[JSixpack]

Another cheap charlie farang being a burden on "Thai" public services!!

So some needy Thai person missed out on their (limited) opportunity at the dentist that day because of your vanity - Jeeez!, no wonder you feel so good about yourself!

Bring it on while you can, trolls. I love this forum!

[rmicheald]

Another cheap charlie farang being a burden on "Thai" public services!!

So some needy Thai person missed out on their (limited) opportunity at the dentist that day because of your vanity - Jeeez!, no wonder you feel so good about yourself!

Well I happen to work here and PAY TAXES.... So Kiss my cheap charlie ass....

[joskydive]

Pattaya dentists, like other businesses here, follow cartel-like price fixing. That is clear from the fact that they all charge about the same prices, in nice round numbers. And those prices are relatively too high, especially for farangs.

Now, the price at a PTY clinic for teeth cleaning supposedly starts at 400 baht. I take great care of my teeth, and they hardly need a 6-month cleaning, so that's what I should pay. Yet inevitably, after a quick routine cleaning, I'm charged 700-800 baht. (Forget BP or PI hospital prices, which reach 1,200 with a lot of little tacked-on charges: the cotton, the water, the needle, mileage on the drill bit, laundering the face covering, whatever).

This kind of constant sharp pricing in PTY is wearing and I like to try to beat it whenever possible.

Which I did in this case. Banglamung Hospital has got a dental clinic, so I got my teeth cleaned there for B280 and got three small cosmetic fillings for B600. The quality of the work was as good I've gotten in a clinic. The only downside is that you have to get there early, about 8:00 AM, as they only take 40 patients per day, and it must be on a weekday; and you'll probably wait about 2 hours. I spent my 2 hours, each time, reading a book and listening to my MP3 player.

To use a Thai public hospital such as Banglamung, it really, really helps to speak basic Thai or go w/ a Thai friend, but you could probably survive w/o either if you're well-mannered, tolerant, and patient, and maybe have phrase book to show phrases in Thai. All my experiences at Thai public hospitals have been pleasant, except for the getting up early and waiting. Most doctors do have a smattering of English.

Now, as a recent thread attests, many of our besotted PTY punters will be highly concerned about the cuteness of the dentist. We need a site for comparing photos, do we not? I can tell you that I had a root canal done at St Louis (BKK) by a HOT young thing and not only did she overcharge but did lousy work to boot. An incompetent dentist can do a helluva lot of damage. So I don't give a shit what a dentist, or a surgeon, looks like. But at Banglamung--sorry, guys (and lesbians I guess)--I just couldn't see much behind the dental masks and head coverings, though the "fillings" lady, a Chula grad, had very nice eyes. If those aren't good enough for you, then you'll just need to drool elsewhere (pun intended) and pay 3-4 times more for said drooling. What about fixating on some young female patients out in the waiting room? The public hospitals usually have large crowded waiting rooms, so there's bound to be one or two there.

Anyway--take THAT, overpriced Pattaya private dental clinics and hospitals!

Thanks for that!

I've had quite a bit of dental treatment by different private clinics while I have been here and for the most part the treatment has been badly done, overpriced and painful too.

i.e. 1 filling = 1,000 baht in a clinic on Pattaya Tai and now it has chipped and broken again and I've only had it 4 months.

Tooth removal = 700 baht and 2 weeks of pain and inflamation because they broke the tooth and then left part of it in my gum.

Cheap Charlie or not, I'll be trying the Banglamung Hospital next.

[pattaya_girl]

Yes Thankyou Sixpack for your interesting report on the Banglamung Hospital/Dentist, I will most certainly be giving it a try next time I need some work doing. An interesting and helpful Post to many of us no doubt. Thankyou.

[Syl]

You said you look after your teeth, so why so many trips to the dentist?

Maybe a dentist freak. What ever floats your boat. But still cant see your reason for this thread.

[pattaya_girl]

I think he had a good reason to make this thread - to let other people know about the Banglamung dental clinic. Some of us get ripped off in Pattaya, I for one needed a Tooth pulling out, I was in absolute agony, the Dentist knew this, and quoted me One Thousand Baht, I was desperate, but next time after reading this thread i am off to Banglamung, sounds good to me, even if i only want them cleaning, which many of us need from time to time.

[Syl]

I think he had a good reason to make this thread - to let other people know about the Banglamung dental clinic. Some of us get ripped off in Pattaya, I for one needed a Tooth pulling out, I was in absolute agony, the Dentist knew this, and quoted me One Thousand Baht, I was desperate, but next time after reading this thread i am off to Banglamung, sounds good to me, even if i only want them cleaning, which many of us need from time to time.

If you want to save money try cleaning them three times a day, cut out sweet things.

If you want to save money pulling them out, tie a peace of string to the door handle attach it to your tooth and wait for someone to open the door.

Edited February 23, 2009 by Syl

[pattaya_girl]

I think he had a good reason to make this thread - to let other people know about the Banglamung dental clinic. Some of us get ripped off in Pattaya, I for one needed a Tooth pulling out, I was in absolute agony, the Dentist knew this, and quoted me One Thousand Baht, I was desperate, but next time after reading this thread i am off to Banglamung, sounds good to me, even if i only want them cleaning, which many of us need from time to time.

If you want to save money try cleaning them three times a day, cut out sweet things.

If you want to save money pulling them out, tie a peace of string to the door handle attach it to your tooth and wait for someone to open the door.

Yeah Yeah, my dad use to say that. hahaha

[Baannok]

Where's a good place to get my bottom wisdomteeth pulled out?

[loveweaver]

Some dental clinic in Pattaya's not much difference from banglamung hospital.

I know many clinic in pattaya which's a good job but not too expensive.

Is that ok for pay more a bit for more convenience?

Actually quality is not depend on price, it's depend on responsibility of the doctor.

such as they should check the tip of the root everytime after tooth removal.

High rate is not mean that they treat more carefully, use a better instrument, better material or else.

It's from many factor and I think It's up to each person which way they choose.

[TEFLMike]

I think he had a good reason to make this thread - to let other people know about the Banglamung dental clinic. Some of us get ripped off in Pattaya, I for one needed a Tooth pulling out, I was in absolute agony, the Dentist knew this, and quoted me One Thousand Baht, I was desperate, but next time after reading this thread i am off to Banglamung, sounds good to me, even if i only want them cleaning, which many of us need from time to time.

If you want to save money try cleaning them three times a day, cut out sweet things.

If you want to save money pulling them out, tie a peace of string to the door handle attach it to your tooth and wait for someone to open the door.

Yeah Yeah, my dad use to say that. hahaha

Now that the UK has suffered the loss of the majority of NHS Dentists, it has only been reported in the National Press this week, that the numbers of people extracting their own teeth by means of a piece of string attached to a door handle has increased x 1000s' fold.

Edited February 23, 2009 by TEFLMike

[JSixpack]

You said you look after your teeth, so why so many trips to the dentist?

As many of us do, I go twice a year for a cleaning and check and that's one of the reasons my teeth stay in pretty good shape. If you're only going once every five years, like when you're finally in pain, then of course twice a year would seem like many to you. It's all relative, you see.

Banglamung in my experience will clean and check on one day and then if you need more work you'll need to come back on another day to see the specialist in the particular area. However, that's not uncommon in private clinics as well, because the dentist has another appointment following yours, or a different skill set from a specialist is needed.

But still cant see your reason for this thread.

Yawn. Then it can't possibly matter to you and you may remain in your current state of bliss. The intended audience for this thread understands the reason quite well.

[DC1066]

I'm going to be in Pattaya next month.

I am 6 foot tall, strong, fit and healthy.........and a complete wimp when it comes to the dentist.

I'd been to the dentist once in the last 25 years, prior to going to a place in Bkk last year. Just having a clean and polish left the dentist chair in bits where my finger nails had pulled it apart.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a good quality dentist in Pattaya? Preferably reasonably priced, but I'm more concerned with getting out of there without being terrified.

Flame away; make fun at my expense and laugh at my phobia but please also give me your views on the best dentist to visit.

[BarryM]

Another cheap charlie farang being a burden on "Thai" public services!!

So some needy Thai person missed out on their (limited) opportunity at the dentist that day because of your vanity - Jeeez!, no wonder you feel so good about yourself!

Hardly his fault they're so poor. Plenty of rich Thais. Shame they don't share it around. Why should he pay over the odds to help the wealthy in Thailand keep the lid on the growing, simmering resentment of the poor?

I'm reassured you appear to be doing your bit though and can obviously afford to subsidise their utopia. Good on ya!

[WOWAsia]

Banglamung Hospital, where is it located???

thanks!

[tropo]

Which I did in this case. Banglamung Hospital has got a dental clinic, so I got my teeth cleaned there for B280 and got three small cosmetic fillings for B600. The quality of the work was as good I've gotten in a clinic. The only downside is that you have to get there early, about 8:00 AM, as they only take 40 patients per day, and it must be on a weekday; and you'll probably wait about 2 hours. I spent my 2 hours, each time, reading a book and listening to my MP3 player.

I have my teeth cleaned near where I live for 500 baht in Pattaya.

I'm absolutely amazed that a Farang would travel to Banglamung to be there by 8 am and hang out for hours to save 220 baht minus travelling costs.

How about a price comparison on crowns, inlays, overlays and root canal.

To have root canal plus crown requires 5 visits at a total of 12,000 baht. That's a lot of early morning visits to Banglamung.

[Soutpeel]

Another cheap charlie farang being a burden on "Thai" public services!!

So some needy Thai person missed out on their (limited) opportunity at the dentist that day because of your vanity - Jeeez!, no wonder you feel so good about yourself!

Well I happen to work here and PAY TAXES.... So Kiss my cheap charlie ass....

Seeing as you are working here and paying taxes, why dont you invest in some medical insurance then and you dont have to be a cheap charile and deprive some needy Thai of a dentist visit...

[patklang]

Where's a good place to get my bottom wisdomteeth pulled out?

I was in agony a few weeks ago and went to Pattaya Memorial hospital and had xrays and a top wisdom tooth extracted.No pain whatsoever,other than the first 2 injections in my gum.The assistant was rubbing my arm as the female dentist extracted the tooth and saying you ok,you ok all the time lol.

The cost for xrays,the extraction and the arm feeling was 2,600 baht,which is a good price for widom teeth,as i checked a few prices before.From arriving to leaving,was about 30 minutes which was fantastic,get in and get out quick lol.

[patklang]

I'm going to be in Pattaya next month.

I am 6 foot tall, strong, fit and healthy.........and a complete wimp when it comes to the dentist.

I'd been to the dentist once in the last 25 years, prior to going to a place in Bkk last year. Just having a clean and polish left the dentist chair in bits where my finger nails had pulled it apart.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a good quality dentist in Pattaya? Preferably reasonably priced, but I'm more concerned with getting out of there without being terrified.

Flame away; make fun at my expense and laugh at my phobia but please also give me your views on the best dentist to visit.

I hate dentists and dont like pain,and i come out in a cold sweat and go all shaky.The Memorial Hospital made me very relaxed and no pain and no shakes lol.

[Soutpeel]

I'm going to be in Pattaya next month.

I am 6 foot tall, strong, fit and healthy.........and a complete wimp when it comes to the dentist.

I'd been to the dentist once in the last 25 years, prior to going to a place in Bkk last year. Just having a clean and polish left the dentist chair in bits where my finger nails had pulled it apart.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a good quality dentist in Pattaya? Preferably reasonably priced, but I'm more concerned with getting out of there without being terrified.

Flame away; make fun at my expense and laugh at my phobia but please also give me your views on the best dentist to visit.

I hate dentists and dont like pain,and i come out in a cold sweat and go all shaky.The Memorial Hospital made me very relaxed and no pain and no shakes lol.

I am the same and find half a Valium helps considerbly....

[PattayaParent]

Where's a good place to get my bottom wisdomteeth pulled out?

I was in agony a few weeks ago and went to Pattaya Memorial hospital and had xrays and a top wisdom tooth extracted.No pain whatsoever,other than the first 2 injections in my gum.The assistant was rubbing my arm as the female dentist extracted the tooth and saying you ok,you ok all the time lol.

The cost for xrays,the extraction and the arm feeling was 2,600 baht,which is a good price for widom teeth,as i checked a few prices before.From arriving to leaving,was about 30 minutes which was fantastic,get in and get out quick lol.

A couple of weeks ago the missus of a mate had her wisdom tooth pulled at Pattaya Memorial for 1,500 Baht. My missus had one done earlier this year at a clinic on Pattaya Tai for 500 Baht and one was pulled last week at a different Pattaya Tai clinic for 1,000 Baht.

[JSixpack]

I'm absolutely amazed that a Farang would travel to Banglamung to be there by 8 am and hang out for hours to save 220 baht minus travelling costs.

Piece o' cake. How about going to a gym and butch up? I'm in great shape myself.

But it's true that many farangs, like yourself, evidently, are pretty much wimps compared to the Thais.

[Naam]

I'm absolutely amazed that a Farang would travel to Banglamung to be there by 8 am and hang out for hours to save 220 baht minus travelling costs.

Piece o' cake. How about going to a gym and butch up? I'm in great shape myself. But it's true that many farangs, like yourself, evidently, are pretty much wimps compared to the Thais.

you are a hero JSixpack! there is no doubt about it. that's why i don't understand why the few thai friends i have call people like you "farang kee nok" and make me feel ashamed although i don't socialise or have any connections with those kind of farangs

[tropo]

I'm absolutely amazed that a Farang would travel to Banglamung to be there by 8 am and hang out for hours to save 220 baht minus travelling costs.

Piece o' cake. How about going to a gym and butch up? I'm in great shape myself.

But it's true that many farangs, like yourself, evidently, are pretty much wimps compared to the Thais.

What?

I suggest that hanging around a public hospital in Banglamung from 8am to save 220 baht minus the cost of transport is a bit desperate and you translate this into some type of physique contest.

If you can find a Thai, or Farang (including you) that makes me look like a whimp, I'll pay for your next dental clean at Banglamung. I'll even throw in a free filling and pay for your transport.

Trust me on this, you'll lose.

Now...Are you finished w***ing?

Edited June 7, 2009 by tropo

[icequeen]

What I would like to know is why farangs who don't want to pay overrated prices are called 'cheap charlies'

Not all farangs who live in Thailand have a lot of money, some work here on low wages and some are here because they can have a better standard of living in Thailand than they could in their own country with the income that they have.

Thanks for the info about Banglamung hospital and I will also be going there next time I need work doing.

[tropo]

What I would like to know is why farangs who don't want to pay overrated prices are called 'cheap charlies'

Not all farangs who live in Thailand have a lot of money, some work here on low wages and some are here because they can have a better standard of living in Thailand than they could in their own country with the income that they have.

Thanks for the info about Banglamung hospital and I will also be going there next time I need work doing.

Just bring a good book with you at 8 am and hopefully before the morning is out you'll have your budget dental work done, but....are you sure budget dentistry is quality dentistry? That's the question people should be asking.

[pattaya_girl]

What I would like to know is why farangs who don't want to pay overrated prices are called 'cheap charlies'

Not all farangs who live in Thailand have a lot of money, some work here on low wages and some are here because they can have a better standard of living in Thailand than they could in their own country with the income that they have.

Thanks for the info about Banglamung hospital and I will also be going there next time I need work doing.

See you there Icequeen. I read on another thread about the Dentist at Banglamung Hospital being quite good, so I will consider it myself next time I need to go.