Dentists

[uptheos]

Before anyone says anything, I have looked through the forum to the best of my ability, but the topic's don't actually answer my questions. Lots of recommendations for individual dentists or surgeries, but I'm trying to find out if anyone uses different dentist's (during the same time period)?

For example only; Dr Korakot at Grace for fillings etc, and, Dr Jarunee at Empress for deep cleaning and perhaps someone else for extractions, cosmetic work or even because you fancy Nitrous Oxide.

I'm recalling in particular my experiences at Grace and Empress, where I was perfectly happy with the Dr. I originally selected, but when I needed something else I was moved into another room. At Grace a young fellow who to be honest wasn't much good (and if I'd have seen he just had a BA from CMU, I wouldn't have let him do anything). At Empress good check up and deep cleaning etc, by Dr. Jarunee, but the lady she brought in to do a filling was certainly not up to Dr. Korakot's standard and I wouldn't use her again.

So, basically, does anyone use different dentist's at different places?

What's the reaction from one dentist who cleans or fills, but recommends a filling/clean there and you say, sorry only Dr. X does my fillings/cleaning etc?

What about x-rays, do you have to double up or can you take them with you just like a hospital?

OK I'll leave it there for now, all answers appreciated.

Cheers

[elektrified]

I don't like Dr. Jarunee's associates. One experience I had with one fairly inexperienced one was up there among the worst dental experiences of my life (replacement of filling). My g/f does not like them either. BUT, we love Dr. Jarunee and can't say enough positive things about her.

The problem is, like anywhere, the good ones get too busy and have to refer to their associates. Often the associates are young and inexperienced.

[huli]

My wife had the same thing happen at Smile Dental in Pantip Plaza building. The lady dentist was alright but when she needed an extraction she got referred to a guy dentist who was a joke. His pliers kept slipping off her tooth and I couldn't believe how he was digging around her gums trying to get the darn thing out. It finally came out in pieces or so they said. I guess that was just her jawbone that was still sticking up? ahem...I kept expecting him to rock the tooth side to side to loosen it...I was siting right there...then they charged us extra cause it was so hard....

[MrBrad]

What do you call a medical or dental student who graduates at the bottom of his or her class?

Doctor.

Kind of like a driver's license, everyone--good or bad--who manages to pass the test gets the same certificate. Too bad they don't post their class records and transcripts in addition to their diploma.

[Dante99]

For fillings and crowns, a careful retired Yank dentist looked around a lot and tried some before choosing and ending up with Dr Montree, M Square Dental Care Clinic, 118 Wualai Rd 53 284 959. He had a bunch of work done there and was satisfied with it all. I often see farangs when I go in.

Dr Montree recommended Dr Surasak who did a fine job of pulling four wisdom teeth in one go for my son. He speaks English well and is connected with the CMU Dental School, an instructor I think. For that one we provided X-rays taken elsewhere with no issue.

Surasak Yowcharoensuk, DDS. MSc.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

DENTALWORLD CLINIC

180/1 Raj Chiang Saen Rd.,

T.Haiya, A.Muang,

Chiang Mai 50100

THAILAND

053-209-100, 087-356-7305

[uptheos]

I don't like Dr. Jarunee's associates. One experience I had with one fairly inexperienced one was up there among the worst dental experiences of my life (replacement of filling). My g/f does not like them either. BUT, we love Dr. Jarunee and can't say enough positive things about her.

The problem is, like anywhere, the good ones get too busy and have to refer to their associates. Often the associates are young and inexperienced.

Right, that sounds familiar. So, in the event that you needed Dr. Jarunee's expertise and another replacement filling, would you still use Dr. Jarunee and just go to another dentist?. Would you be 'up front' with Dr.Jarunee if she said 'my colleague will do your filling' or would you just say something like 'not now'.

[elektrified]

I don't like Dr. Jarunee's associates. One experience I had with one fairly inexperienced one was up there among the worst dental experiences of my life (replacement of filling). My g/f does not like them either. BUT, we love Dr. Jarunee and can't say enough positive things about her.

The problem is, like anywhere, the good ones get too busy and have to refer to their associates. Often the associates are young and inexperienced.

Right, that sounds familiar. So, in the event that you needed Dr. Jarunee's expertise and another replacement filling, would you still use Dr. Jarunee and just go to another dentist?. Would you be 'up front' with Dr.Jarunee if she said 'my colleague will do your filling' or would you just say something like 'not now'.

I would ask Dr. Jarunee if she could replace the filling herself even if the wait was a few weeks and providing of course, I was not in pain. If it was urgent and she could not do it, then I would look to go elsewhere. I would tell her (if she asked) why I didn't want her associate to do the fillings again. I know some members have stated that she had done work (other than cleaning) for them personally but every time we have asked her she said she was much too busy and that her associates would do the work and that she supervises them. When I had that awful experience with the young male dentist, she did pop her head in several times to see if everything was O.K. but it wasn't! I got the feeling that the young guy may have been her student before he graduated.

[uptheos]

I would ask Dr. Jarunee if she could replace the filling herself even if the wait was a few weeks and providing of course, I was not in pain. If it was urgent and she could not do it, then I would look to go elsewhere. I would tell her (if she asked) why I didn't want her associate to do the fillings again. I know some members have stated that she had done work (other than cleaning) for them personally but every time we have asked her she said she was much too busy and that her associates would do the work and that she supervises them. When I had that awful experience with the young male dentist, she did pop her head in several times to see if everything was O.K. but it wasn't! I got the feeling that the young guy may have been her student before he graduated.

Thanks E, good answers. Actually in my opening post I mention a young guy who I was passed on to, who didn't have many credentials and I believe it was Dr. Jarunee at the time, who said 'he was good'. It was a bad experience and I've never had a mouth gag to keep my mouth open before (I've had one to shut it lol), and a well seasoned dentist knows how to pull your mouth down with a finger when filling a back tooth.

I think the solution is as you said and she does seem to pass a person off if she can, which is a bit of a negative in my book as good as she is. She should at least offer her expertise first, but tell you it can't be done urgently. If she is too busy, then there are lots of other recommendations.

Do you know, if a person has a full mouth xray, can they ask for it and take it to another dentist (like a hospital xray), or just have another done?

[el jefe]

I'm glad to hear that Dr Jarunee is doing so well and is so busy. I didn't think that was the case. I've had 8 appointments with her in the past 5 months and never had a problem seeing her when requested. All of my appointments have been scheduled with her. The only time she suggested I see one of her associates was to have a tooth pulled. When I asked to have her do it, there was no problem.

i stopped going to Grace because I got a different dentist every time I went. I still recommend them to friends and family who will be in CM for a short period and only need a one-time appt. I want to see a dentist who knows what to expect when they look in my mouth.

[elektrified]

I'm glad to hear that Dr Jarunee is doing so well and is so busy. I didn't think that was the case. I've had 8 appointments with her in the past 5 months and never had a problem seeing her when requested. All of my appointments have been scheduled with her. The only time she suggested I see one of her associates was to have a tooth pulled. When I asked to have her do it, there was no problem.

i stopped going to Grace because I got a different dentist every time I went. I still recommend them to friends and family who will be in CM for a short period and only need a one-time appt. I want to see a dentist who knows what to expect when they look in my mouth.

Your lucky you could get her to do the extraction. The g/f needed an extraction recently and Dr. Jarunee could not do it. She scheduled her with an associate which even then it was something like 3 weeks before he could do it. She said the guy was not as young and inexperienced as the guy that does the fillings but that he was very unfriendly, seemed rushed, and he only waited a couple of minutes after administering the anesthetic before doing the extraction. She said it was unbelievably painful. She needs another extraction but is afraid to go back if the same guy is the one that will do it.

[uptheos]

I'm glad to hear that Dr Jarunee is doing so well and is so busy. I didn't think that was the case. I've had 8 appointments with her in the past 5 months and never had a problem seeing her when requested. All of my appointments have been scheduled with her. The only time she suggested I see one of her associates was to have a tooth pulled. When I asked to have her do it, there was no problem.

i stopped going to Grace because I got a different dentist every time I went. I still recommend them to friends and family who will be in CM for a short period and only need a one-time appt. I want to see a dentist who knows what to expect when they look in my mouth.

She said it was unbelievably painful. She needs another extraction but is afraid to go back if the same guy is the one that will do it.

I feel for your g/f. I was brought up in post war East London and believe me the experiences I had with 'school dentists' and others haunt me to this day! Do you think nitrous oxide might help her? I know it's 1,500 Baht a go, but I wouldn't imagine she will be having it too often. My teeth are in good shape and I've nothing good to say about UK dentists. I got over my phobia when I lived in Canada for 7 years, brilliant dentists IMO and Chiang Mai has been quite good to me, just one or two hiccups. I now need another clean, but I fear a couple of fillings might also be warranted. I will go as usual to Dr. Jarunee and request her service, but if she trys to get me to use another, I'll just say no and try one of the other recommended dentists.....the laughing gas sounds interesting.