Dentist Review

[seank]

Hi everyone,

Heres my review for my dentist.

I got some work done at Dental Hospital on Sukhumvit Soi 49.

It was extremely expensive (by Thai standards) but by western standards it was cheap. They were quite sneaky by adding on extra stuff onto the bill like gel fluorides, diagnostic cast ect which I thought would be all included.

Heres the breakdown of costs,

Initial checkup: 200bt

Cleaning: 1500bt

x-rays: 900

Fluoride gel: 300

Cost: 2900bt

Time: 1 visit -> 2½ hours

Crown: 16000bt

Cast post and Core: 9000bt

Diagnostic cast: 900bt

Temporary crown: 700bt

Total Cost: 26,600

Time: 3 visits total 5hours

Fillings by 3

Total Cost: 3,000

Time 1Visit 75minutes.

So the dilemma I have is whether or not to recommend this place. I found the staff and dentists to be very professional, English was not an issue and the dentist explained everything to me at the start of each session. The equipment does not look totally new but not old either.

The dental work is excellent and the initial Cleaning has being the best I have ever had, they even managed to get the polisher around my back molar. I have never got a Crown done before and as you see it was the majority of the cost but for Thailand I do believe they are overpriced.

On the pain factor side it was a 3 out of 10 on the pain factor which is excellent as its normally a 6 or 7 for me at the dentist.

If money is no option than go here otherwise I’m sure you can get the stuff done for half the price.

[Mobi]

Everything you have written is 100% correct.

I swear by the dental hospital and would never go anywhere else, for the following reasons:

1. I have been to countless dentists in Thailand, including some very expensive ones at major private hospitals, and have found the professionalism and care at the Dental hospital is second to none, I do believe they employ the very best dentists in Thailand.

2. As you have posted, the pain thresholds there are much lower there than anywhere else I have been. They just seem to care more. Cleaning has always been a very painful experience for me wherever I have gone, but there it is a pain free procedure – without injections. And the root canal and crown treatment I had there was much quicker, and less painful than anywhere else I have been. Even the injections were virtually pain free.

3.Yes they are a bit pricey, but no more so than places like Bangkok Pattaya, which are even more expensive; and for me did a terrible job.

4. I believe they have a reputation to live up to, and they are professional at all times, and never rip you off. Anywhere else, I am never sure whether the recommended treatment is necessary or not.

BTW did you notice that while you are sitting downstairs in the waiting area that one of the senior dentists is always wandering around checking up on the staff and making sure patients are being attended to properly. I have seen it on a number of occasions, so I know it is part of their regular service. Amazing for Thailand.

[Tolley]

As long as they did a good job and you can afford it then that is all that matters.

I have gone to the cheaper dentists in Thailand and reckon i probably made a mistake doing so.

The work they did was okay but the problem is the stuff they missed.

2 big holes were missed by different dentists even after i told them i thought there were problems.

In the end i had to have two root canal therapies which were lengthy and uncomfortable so if you have the money it is better to pay more i guess.

The Thais that i spoke to who had money said they would never go the clinics around Pattaya but would go to the dental hospital or BPH.

[FBN]

They also have a high standard of infection control on both equipment and instrument sterilisation processes.

[Sheryl]

I've been going to them for decades now and been consistently satisfied with the standard of care.

It is true that their prices have risen in the past year or two and I'm not happy with that, but the risks and potential aggravation of going elsewhere keeps me there.

I recently attempted to have my niece's toothache dealt with by an inexpensive dentist near her university -- partly because of the cost but also for convenience. Long story short, did not work out well and wound up having to take her to the Dental Hospital anyhow and even repeating the xrays. So the attempt to save money and time actually cost more of both.

For a simple cleaning only, I might go elsewhere. but for my annual check ups and any problems, I'm going to stick with them.

I have noted though that around the same time that they raised their prices they began adding on things without first asking (granted, useful things, but still...) and also sometimes making efforts to promote optional services. So if concerned about cost, make that clear to them by asking for estimates of everything before hand. If you do not want the fluoride gel, say so up front as they have indeed begun to do that automatically with the cleanings. And you can, if you want, decline the Xray (assuming you are in for just a routine check up and not experiencing any problems). of course, may miss some caries that way, but can if you want to.

They are also as an other poster mentioned, very efficient in terms of patient flow, tracking patients as they move from one area to another, and letting you know if there will be much of a wait.

[phetaroi]

I had a similar positive experience today at the Bangkok Hospital Dental Center on Phetburi. 2,270 bhat included x-rays, extoral x-ray, full cleaning by the dentist, consultation for a specialist since we have decided to do two small fillings using laser dentistry, rather than nitrous oxide.

All very professional. They even checked my blood pressure before doing anyting.

While expensive by Bangkok standards, so cheap by American standards. I was impressed.

[Spaniel]

When you go for a cleaning/check-up do you ask for a particular dentist or do you just get the next dentist that is available? Can anyone recommend a particular dentists? thanks

[chiang mai]

Some pretty powerful recommendations here, must be worth a try.

[lopburi3]

I will be the decenter on this thread (although nothing against the hospital as have never used). There are a large number of qualified dental offices in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, so price should be a factor. I used Dr Som's Dental Clinic some 40 years ago (now operating as Dental Polyclinic I believe) and even then facility/treatment/pain factor was good. I have also used Soi offices and they can be very hit and miss with little attention to infection control. But believe most hospitals do have good practice and know that the dental section of Vejthani is very good as myself and family have been using for about 4 years now.

[Soulwy]

Very informative topic! It is the first price list I see.Thanks!

[camerata]

The cost of cleaning and a crown are the same as I experienced at Bumrungrad last year.

[lomatopo]

seank, Thanks for the review, I have several follow-up questions:

How many days to complete the crown, from first visit to final attachment of the permanent crown?

Did you get a porcelain crown?

Would you recommend a specific Dentist for the crown?

[mommysboy]

It's very expensive by Thai standards but if it reduces pain then it might be worth it. Pain in the wallet for sure.

[hasher69]

Is there a dentist of thAT STANDard in Chiang Mai?

[languageexpress]

I went to the "19 Dental Clinic" on Sukhmvit Soi 19, on the advice of a co-worker.

I was very satisfied with the treatment and standard of service.Modern equipment, professional staff.

Had a clean, enamel replaced and 3 x-rays...I forget the price, but would have remembered if it had been expensive!

[mommysboy]

I had a similar positive experience today at the Bangkok Hospital Dental Center on Phetburi. 2,270 bhat included x-rays, extoral x-ray, full cleaning by the dentist, consultation for a specialist since we have decided to do two small fillings using laser dentistry, rather than nitrous oxide.

All very professional. They even checked my blood pressure before doing anyting.

While expensive by Bangkok standards, so cheap by American standards. I was impressed.

Can you take us through the laser dentistry?

[seank]

seank, Thanks for the review, I have several follow-up questions:

How many days to complete the crown, from first visit to final attachment of the permanent crown?

Did you get a porcelain crown?

Would you recommend a specific Dentist for the crown?

How many days to complete the crown, from first visit to final attachment of the permanent crown?

3 Visits.

1st: 120mins

2nd: 90mins

3rd: 60mins

Did you get a porcelain crown?

Yes- its being about 2months and am very happy with it. Looks and feels good.

Would you recommend a specific Dentist for the crown?

Its my first crown (and post) so I have nothing to compare it to. But speaking with my freinds its seems I had a good experience so I will be heading back there again but cannt remember the dentists name.

Edited November 25, 2009 by seank

[thai3]

Everything you have written is 100% correct.

I swear by the dental hospital and would never go anywhere else, for the following reasons:

I would never go near the place for the following reasons:

Tried to get me to undergo extremely expensive root canal work which my UK dentist told me I did not need, and have not had done 5 years later

Decided to have one simple front filling done and they charged for 4 surfaces with the x ray and 'consultation' this came to a staggering 6.000 baht

Dentist never said a word to me the whole time I was in the chair

Filling was so badly done have had to have it replaced in UK since

The Dentist I have now will not do work if it is not needed and always gives a price before starting and the work is good, in my experience this dental hospital was a rip off for sub standard work.

[Sheryl]

I would never go near the place for the following reasons:

Tried to get me to undergo extremely expensive root canal work which my UK dentist told me I did not need, and have not had done 5 years later

Decided to have one simple front filling done and they charged for 4 surfaces with the x ray and 'consultation' this came to a staggering 6.000 baht

Dentist never said a word to me the whole time I was in the chair

Filling was so badly done have had to have it replaced in UK since

The Dentist I have now will not do work if it is not needed and always gives a price before starting and the work is good, in my experience this dental hospital was a rip off for sub standard work.

While it is always possible to find a poor dentist in the bunch what you report is so different from my experinces, and those reported by others, that I just want to ensure it refers to the same place -- i.e. Dental Hospital on Sukhumvit Soi 49.

reason I ask is because there is another place with the website www.bangkokdentalhospital.com which is not it, but appears to be trying, sometiems successfully, to lure in people by sounding like they are. They are located off Soi Thonglor.

??

[deejah]

<br />

Everything you have written is 100% correct.<br /><br /> I swear by the dental hospital and would never go anywhere else, for the following reasons:

<br /><br /><br />I would never go near the place for the following reasons:<br /><br />Tried to get me to undergo extremely expensive root canal work which my UK dentist told me I did not need, and have not had done 5 years later<br /><br />Decided to have one simple front filling done and they charged for 4 surfaces with the x ray and 'consultation' this came to a staggering 6.000 baht<br /><br />Dentist never said a word to me the whole time I was in the chair<br /><br />Filling was so badly done have had to have it replaced in UK since<br /><br />The Dentist I have now will not do work if it is not needed and always gives a price before starting and the work is good, in my experience this dental hospital was a rip off for sub standard work.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

who do you see that you are satisfied with?

[Latindancer]

I need two crowns.....one with root canal treatment. However I can't afford very much. Can anyone tell me of a dentist who has done good work on them but who is cheaper ? They are around, in the suburbs. With some of these other places, you're just paying for the rental on their premises !

[Sheryl]

Root canal work requires a specialist, not something your average dentist can do. For root canal and crown I wouldn't recommend a small private dental prasctice in the outskirts. For cleaning, fillings etc OK, but not for this.

The least expensive place of reliable quality is the Mahidol clinic, near Victory Monument

As it is a government facility, conveniences will be much less especially in terms of waiting time, scheduling of appointments and English speaking. But quality is good and it doesn't get any less expensive than there.

[mommysboy]

I would never go near the place for the following reasons:

Tried to get me to undergo extremely expensive root canal work which my UK dentist told me I did not need, and have not had done 5 years later

Decided to have one simple front filling done and they charged for 4 surfaces with the x ray and 'consultation' this came to a staggering 6.000 baht

Dentist never said a word to me the whole time I was in the chair

Filling was so badly done have had to have it replaced in UK since

The Dentist I have now will not do work if it is not needed and always gives a price before starting and the work is good, in my experience this dental hospital was a rip off for sub standard work.

While it is always possible to find a poor dentist in the bunch what you report is so different from my experinces, and those reported by others, that I just want to ensure it refers to the same place -- i.e. Dental Hospital on Sukhumvit Soi 49.

reason I ask is because there is another place with the website www.bangkokdentalhospital.com which is not it, but appears to be trying, sometiems successfully, to lure in people by sounding like they are. They are located off Soi Thonglor.

??

Not just possible, likely IMHO. Sadly, this field report does rather condemn this establishment as far as I'm concerned. Personally, I see the warning signs and I don't want to be grist to the mill. Probably best to watch who you advise in future, what with your position and all that. Bad news all round.

[Crypt36]

I was very pleased with their surgeon (Dental Hospital) pulling my wisdom tooth for 1000thb. Very smooth and painless.

Edited December 15, 2009 by Crypt36

[tutsiwarrior]

can the suk soi 49 dental hospital do oral surgery with general anesthetic? I got a split tooth that has to come out and the procedure is likely to be extremely uncomfortable and I want to be put under.

any advice? if not suk soi 49 then where?...infection is also a worry...

[taxout]

If I needed general anesthesia for a dental procedure, I'd have it done in a hospital setting at Bangkok Hospital.

That said, general anesthesia always involves real risks, so I suspect any good dentist or physician will strongly try to persuade you it's not necessary.

[mommysboy]

If I needed general anesthesia for a dental procedure, I'd have it done in a hospital setting at Bangkok Hospital.

That said, general anesthesia always involves real risks, so I suspect any good dentist or physician will strongly try to persuade you it's not necessary.

That's the message I've been getting too.

To my mind then, finding an extremely skilled giver of injections, or of nitrous oxide is a must. I'm told with the former, that almost any tooth can be numbed one way or another using different techniques, and that with the latter the experience can actually be quite pleasant provided you receive neither too much or too little.

Not so easy, as no specific names have cropped up as far as I can see!

Would laser laser dentistry be painless?

[tutsiwarrior]

the split tooth that has to come out is dead; had a root canal done but never did follow up with a crown...so the tooth doesn't have to be numbed...

just worried about how many separate pieces will have to come out and all the rooting around the dentist will have to do to confirm that all are extracted...can't even stand the thought of the possible pain involved...

I had a general anesthetic (sodium pentothal) when I had all my wisdom teeth out many years ago...just thought that this might be an option for the split tooth extraction...

[mommysboy]

the split tooth that has to come out is dead; had a root canal done but never did follow up with a crown...so the tooth doesn't have to be numbed...

just worried about how many separate pieces will have to come out and all the rooting around the dentist will have to do to confirm that all are extracted...can't even stand the thought of the possible pain involved...

I had a general anesthetic (sodium pentothal) when I had all my wisdom teeth out many years ago...just thought that this might be an option for the split tooth extraction...

Herein may lie the misconception. When you have an injection the dentist will attempt to freeze the whole area not just the tooth (which is dead anyway) and if done well you shouldn't feel anything save the small pain of the injection itself, although I can't see the procedure being very pleasant in general. But the numbing is not a 100% guarantee. So personally I would suggest laughing gas too.

Even without laughing gas, if you feel pain, you just stop!!! simple as that. And then you have at least answered one question.

So the main question (to which I need an answer too as I have a tooth that can't even be touched), can anyone rec. a skilled anaesthetist of both lidocaine or nitrous oxide. Is this available at suk49 Dental Hospital?