Recommend A Dental Clinic?

[uptheos]

Dr Joy at Elite Smile has excellent ENglish and a very strong reputation, she's a nice lady as well. Lower floor, Pantip Plaza, Channklan Road, about half of the cost of Grace I would guess.

I think Elite must have put up their prices quite a bit since I last looked. http://www.elitesmilecm.com/fee.html

Here are Grace's prices for comparison. http://www.gracedent...celist-eng.html

Ask some locals for recommendations.

Yeah, right

I'll just get my Nancy Chandler map out to see exactly where I am first.........it's all so new.

[eyecatcher]

Not knocking Grace at all; never even been there, but I did mention in a previous thread that this clinic is now at the heart of dental toursim for Aussies and NZ ers. These tourists MUST be paying a mark up rate "for a package of treatments" which is now reflecting in the "walk in " rates.

And of course if they are getting busier with no further room for expansion and extra dentists then those still there are going to be on longer overtime hours. Just logic.. you want the busiest prefessionals you have to pay more (not saying that they are better of course)

[chiang mai]

Dr Joy at Elite Smile has excellent ENglish and a very strong reputation, she's a nice lady as well. Lower floor, Pantip Plaza, Channklan Road, about half of the cost of Grace I would guess.

I think Elite must have put up their prices quite a bit since I last looked. http://www.elitesmilecm.com/fee.html

Here are Grace's prices for comparison. http://www.gracedent...celist-eng.html

Both of these recommended dentists appear to be in the tourist belt of CM. I suspect that you can find equal care for far less elsewhere. Ask some locals for recommendations. Most CM hospitals also have dental clinics but I do not know about their prices. I have found Lana Hospital to be excellent for medical services; it's private and maybe a bit higher priced than others, but it has good people, it's clean and there are no lines. Ditto for McCormick. Both also have a dental clinic but I haven't used it. Good luck and let us know what you find.

A close friend recently had a very bad experience at McCormick, he took his partners eleven year old son there who ended up having six fillings, none of which were drilled before hand, needed and all of which fell out within a week, I kid you not. It seems the "dentist" was trying to apply filling material to the uneven part of the youngsters back teeth. When my friend compalined he learned that the dentist in question was no longer working at the hospital but no refund was offered.

[ProThaiExpat]

Ten years at Grace and many conversations with Dr. Korakot, the founder regarding pricing, teeth cleaning prices and whatever.

The price for all procedures is set by the owner, Dr. Korakot and varies only as to the time it takes to accomplish the procedure, that to is standardized.

If you teeth are cleaned often and stay clean, you will probably be charged the lowest rate, 1200 Baht. I am charged 1500 for once a year cleaning. I think the top rate is 1800 baht.

I once went to a clinic for a cleaning and it cost 400 baht but the dentist who did the work tortured me, sprayed water all over me and sent me running, never to leave Grace again.

I have fallen asleep during root canal work at Grace. Have had three or four over the years.

Dr. Korakot is not taking on any new patients, as far as I know and she is not always available as she travels a lot to overseas conferences, etc.

Dr. Korakot told me that she only has Peridontist do the teeth cleaning as it just saves the patient time. Many times a regular dentist doing a teeth cleaning sees gum shrinkage that motivates them to refer to a Peridontist for evaluation. Thus two visits, often enough so Dr. Korakot has only Peridontists do the cleaning. Specialists do cost more than general practitioners.

In the final analysis, try the cheaper clinics suggested on TV knowing that if your not satisfied, you will always have Grace to go to.

Edited October 24, 2012 by ProThaiExpat

[endure]

After not going to a dentist for over 20 years, this dentist restored my faith!

https://maps.google....,355.77,,0,-2.2

Speaks English, reasonable prices, one man business, but knows his stuff.....had my first route canal treatment there....fine!

Why pay for the "glitz and glamour"?

Do you have an address and name please?

[elektrified]

For cleaning it is difficult to top Dr. Jarunee Wattanakla, but she is extremely busy and often the wait to see her is 2 weeks. Another thing that may put some people off is her staff constantly re-scheduling her appointments as people cancel and time slots become available, etc. Not her fault, more likely how her staff goes about it.

[zillah]

Thanks guys for these informative details

[scd]

I dropped in to Elite today and was a little shocked at the prices. They're definitely on to the tourist dollar now.

[uptheos]

I dropped in to Elite today and was a little shocked at the prices. They're definitely on to the tourist dollar now.

Yes, their prices have increased.

For Dr. Joy doing a root canal, I will pay what they're asking.........more if necessary.

[cloudhopper]

I just had a molar root canal done at Grace and it was an outstanding experience using the latest gear. My pals back in the States told me the fee (9000B) was 1/4 of what endodontists there are charging.

[kaptainrob]

For cleaning it is difficult to top Dr. Jarunee Wattanakla, but she is extremely busy and often the wait to see her is 2 weeks. Another thing that may put some people off is her staff constantly re-scheduling her appointments as people cancel and time slots become available, etc. Not her fault, more likely how her staff goes about it.

Dr Jarunee, EMPRESS DENTAL Clinic, is excellent, Her professionalism goes beyond that of Elite, (wife and I used previously) yet Empress fees are lower and follow-up care superb... Fluent English spoken and all procedures explained in detail.

Empress Dental Clinic location here > http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.7412931&lon=98.937225&z=19&l=0&m=b

[hellodolly]

For cleaning it is difficult to top Dr. Jarunee Wattanakla, but she is extremely busy and often the wait to see her is 2 weeks. Another thing that may put some people off is her staff constantly re-scheduling her appointments as people cancel and time slots become available, etc. Not her fault, more likely how her staff goes about it.

Dr Jarunee, EMPRESS DENTAL Clinic, is excellent, Her professionalism goes beyond that of Elite, (wife and I used previously) yet Empress fees are lower and follow-up care superb... Fluent English spoken and all procedures explained in detail.

Empress Dental Clinic location here > http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.7412931&lon=98.937225&z=19&l=0&m=b

Sorry Rob all I got was Yummy Pizza. Not sure where it is as I could not find a street.

Of course Google maps are not my strong point.

[uptheos]

For cleaning it is difficult to top Dr. Jarunee Wattanakla, but she is extremely busy and often the wait to see her is 2 weeks. Another thing that may put some people off is her staff constantly re-scheduling her appointments as people cancel and time slots become available, etc. Not her fault, more likely how her staff goes about it.

Dr Jarunee, EMPRESS DENTAL Clinic, is excellent, Her professionalism goes beyond that of Elite, (wife and I used previously) yet Empress fees are lower and follow-up care superb... Fluent English spoken and all procedures explained in detail.

Empress Dental Clinic location here > http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.7412931&lon=98.937225&z=19&l=0&m=b

As I've stated before Dr. Jarunee is the best for certain things and I have known her ever since she worked at Grace. However, I have found more than once that she will try to pass people off to other staff, who are not too good. I had one particularly horrendous experience with a young guy, whom she told me was very good. I have also had appointments cancelled at the last minute and offered other staff, which I refused, so now I don't bother with Empress. My experience there when she first started up and only had a few customers who followed here was excellent, but as the crowds came and the 'farming out' started, the practice declined.

This is my experience and in no way is meant to contradict yours.

[true blue]

has any one used the dental clinic at taphe gate,i think?its called smile they have two clinics,one by macdonalds the other by the jungle shop,lol

[elektrified]

For cleaning it is difficult to top Dr. Jarunee Wattanakla, but she is extremely busy and often the wait to see her is 2 weeks. Another thing that may put some people off is her staff constantly re-scheduling her appointments as people cancel and time slots become available, etc. Not her fault, more likely how her staff goes about it.

Dr Jarunee, EMPRESS DENTAL Clinic, is excellent, Her professionalism goes beyond that of Elite, (wife and I used previously) yet Empress fees are lower and follow-up care superb... Fluent English spoken and all procedures explained in detail.

Empress Dental Clinic location here > http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.7412931&lon=98.937225&z=19&l=0&m=b

As I've stated before Dr. Jarunee is the best for certain things and I have known her ever since she worked at Grace. However, I have found more than once that she will try to pass people off to other staff, who are not too good. I had one particularly horrendous experience with a young guy, whom she told me was very good. I have also had appointments cancelled at the last minute and offered other staff, which I refused, so now I don't bother with Empress. My experience there when she first started up and only had a few customers who followed here was excellent, but as the crowds came and the 'farming out' started, the practice declined.

This is my experience and in no way is meant to contradict yours.

I still see Dr. Jarunee for cleaning as I really like her and think she is one of the best I've been to anywhere in the world. But I agree with uptheos in all other respects. Some of the associates are quite literally out of dental school and lack any experience whatsoever. As far as the cancellations and scheduling problems, that is really not her fault but that of the staff - (although being the owner of the practice she is still responsible). In the USA people who work in busy medical/dental practices are trained in medical office management at vocational schools or community colleges and earn something like US $20.00/hour as it really is a skill. If there are scheduling conflicts, etc. it is dealt with internally. The patient never hears anything about it. I doubt that type of job training is available here.

[demonietto]

We have exclusively used Dental 4 U, a couple blocks up Tha Pae from the gate. They have been amazing. The main Dentist, Dr Warut, is very careful and gentle. Have not had too much experience with the rest of the staff, but the root canal specialist is thorough and no pain, also gentle. They communicate and schedule very well and are well equipped with modern tools.

[uptheos]

We have exclusively used Dental 4 U, a couple blocks up Tha Pae from the gate. They have been amazing. The main Dentist, Dr Warut, is very careful and gentle. Have not had too much experience with the rest of the staff, but the root canal specialist is thorough and no pain, also gentle. They communicate and schedule very well and are well equipped with modern tools.

Dr Joy (root canal), Dr Warut, Dr Benjaporn and Dr.Kris all work at Elite Smile too.

They fill their schedules this way..

Edit. Dr Joy's correct name is Jutamas Malarat

Edited March 14, 2013 by uptheos

[kaptainrob]

For cleaning it is difficult to top Dr. Jarunee Wattanakla, but she is extremely busy and often the wait to see her is 2 weeks. Another thing that may put some people off is her staff constantly re-scheduling her appointments as people cancel and time slots become available, etc. Not her fault, more likely how her staff goes about it.

Dr Jarunee, EMPRESS DENTAL Clinic, is excellent, Her professionalism goes beyond that of Elite, (wife and I used previously) yet Empress fees are lower and follow-up care superb... Fluent English spoken and all procedures explained in detail.

Empress Dental Clinic location here > http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.7412931&lon=98.937225&z=19&l=0&m=b

Sorry Rob all I got was Yummy Pizza. Not sure where it is as I could not find a street.

Of course Google maps are not my strong point.

When clicking on that link, Empress is dead centre of screen ... hover over or click inside box for details and GPS fix.

[kaptainrob]

For cleaning it is difficult to top Dr. Jarunee Wattanakla, but she is extremely busy and often the wait to see her is 2 weeks. Another thing that may put some people off is her staff constantly re-scheduling her appointments as people cancel and time slots become available, etc. Not her fault, more likely how her staff goes about it.

Dr Jarunee, EMPRESS DENTAL Clinic, is excellent, Her professionalism goes beyond that of Elite, (wife and I used previously) yet Empress fees are lower and follow-up care superb... Fluent English spoken and all procedures explained in detail.

Empress Dental Clinic location here > http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.7412931&lon=98.937225&z=19&l=0&m=b

As I've stated before Dr. Jarunee is the best for certain things and I have known her ever since she worked at Grace. However, I have found more than once that she will try to pass people off to other staff, who are not too good. I had one particularly horrendous experience with a young guy, whom she told me was very good. I have also had appointments cancelled at the last minute and offered other staff, which I refused, so now I don't bother with Empress. My experience there when she first started up and only had a few customers who followed here was excellent, but as the crowds came and the 'farming out' started, the practice declined.

This is my experience and in no way is meant to contradict yours.

I go along with that observation and should clarify my recommendation is to see Dr Jarunee at Empress.

Elite Smile was also very good but costs seemed to escalate rapidly beyond initial quoted work. My wife was given enough anesthetic to bring down a horse ... nearly 12hrs before it wore off!

[uptheos]

For cleaning it is difficult to top Dr. Jarunee Wattanakla, but she is extremely busy and often the wait to see her is 2 weeks. Another thing that may put some people off is her staff constantly re-scheduling her appointments as people cancel and time slots become available, etc. Not her fault, more likely how her staff goes about it.

Dr Jarunee, EMPRESS DENTAL Clinic, is excellent, Her professionalism goes beyond that of Elite, (wife and I used previously) yet Empress fees are lower and follow-up care superb... Fluent English spoken and all procedures explained in detail.

Empress Dental Clinic location here > http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.7412931&lon=98.937225&z=19&l=0&m=b

As I've stated before Dr. Jarunee is the best for certain things and I have known her ever since she worked at Grace. However, I have found more than once that she will try to pass people off to other staff, who are not too good. I had one particularly horrendous experience with a young guy, whom she told me was very good. I have also had appointments cancelled at the last minute and offered other staff, which I refused, so now I don't bother with Empress. My experience there when she first started up and only had a few customers who followed here was excellent, but as the crowds came and the 'farming out' started, the practice declined.

This is my experience and in no way is meant to contradict yours.

I go along with that observation and should clarify my recommendation is to see Dr Jarunee at Empress.

Elite Smile was also very good but costs seemed to escalate rapidly beyond initial quoted work. My wife was given enough anesthetic to bring down a horse ... nearly 12hrs before it wore off!

That's one of the reason's I like Dr. Joy, she will give you what she thinks will keep you pain free, but also be guided by your level of pain during treatment. I find this quite re-assuring as I have been to places where the anaesthetic was less than sufficient and by asking for more, the dentist was quite put out.

[ThaiHerbs]

Thanks guys, helpful information. I am ready to get some work done and was wondering where to go. Think I will go to Elite http://www.elitesmilecm.com/ based on the comments here.

Doug

[hellodolly]

Thanks guys, helpful information. I am ready to get some work done and was wondering where to go. Think I will go to Elite http://www.elitesmilecm.com/ based on the comments here.

Doug

In my opinion good choice both I and my Thai wife have had excellent work and service there.

I am very sure that if I was to shop around I could find cheaper work but why run the risk of getting inferior dental work if I have some one who has proven to be not only good but fair and honest.

Let us know your opinion.

[elektrified]

For cleaning it is difficult to top Dr. Jarunee Wattanakla, but she is extremely busy and often the wait to see her is 2 weeks. Another thing that may put some people off is her staff constantly re-scheduling her appointments as people cancel and time slots become available, etc. Not her fault, more likely how her staff goes about it.

Dr Jarunee, EMPRESS DENTAL Clinic, is excellent, Her professionalism goes beyond that of Elite, (wife and I used previously) yet Empress fees are lower and follow-up care superb... Fluent English spoken and all procedures explained in detail.

Empress Dental Clinic location here > http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.7412931&lon=98.937225&z=19&l=0&m=b

As I've stated before Dr. Jarunee is the best for certain things and I have known her ever since she worked at Grace. However, I have found more than once that she will try to pass people off to other staff, who are not too good. I had one particularly horrendous experience with a young guy, whom she told me was very good. I have also had appointments cancelled at the last minute and offered other staff, which I refused, so now I don't bother with Empress. My experience there when she first started up and only had a few customers who followed here was excellent, but as the crowds came and the 'farming out' started, the practice declined.

This is my experience and in no way is meant to contradict yours.

I go along with that observation and should clarify my recommendation is to see Dr Jarunee at Empress.

Elite Smile was also very good but costs seemed to escalate rapidly beyond initial quoted work. My wife was given enough anesthetic to bring down a horse ... nearly 12hrs before it wore off!

That is good to know about the anesthesia, seriously.

[scd]

has any one used the dental clinic at taphe gate,i think?its called smile they have two clinics,one by macdonalds the other by the jungle shop,lol

Yes I went there for a laser light clean.

While the treatment itself was fine, I was put off by the dentist and two nurses gossiping and joking around the whole time. A small, perhaps isolated thing, but I expect a bit more professionalism in that kind of atmosphere.

[uptheos]

"That is good to know about the anesthesia, seriously"

Indeed and it's one of the first things I now get very clear after some bad experiences. I have a root canal coming up Sunday and gave Dr. Joy the 'wink' about plenty of anaesthesia when I saw her. She simply smiled and said 'of course'. Not looking forward to it, but not nervous.

[chiang mai]

I continue to be very impressed by the team at Elite Smile, I've had a cleaning, a deep scaling and six fillings done by three different dentists and all aspects were really good, no complaints whatsoever.

[elektrified]

Recommendations by uptheos and chiang mai are as good as it gets in my book (not only in dental, but other matters as well).

My last experience with a C.M. dentist which was replacing a single filing in the rear bottom molar was agonizing. It took something like 2 1/2 hours to complete because the pain was unbearable. Also the dentist kept leaving the room for 10 minutes at a time. For what I don't know as I was the only patient there. When I went to the initial consultation, the dentist assured me he would be prepared with the proper medicines. On the day of the procedure and 10 minutes into the drilling, he told me that he only stocked one anesthesia and it was not very strong as most Thais don't care too much about anesthesia! He began to complain that the price he quoted me was not for 5 ampules and would not give more than 3 injections (even 10 would not have worked!) He made no offer to get better anesthesia and as a result, could not make a good filing. He said "it may last a year or two". I got up, paid, and walked out never to return.

The dentist I went to was "highly recommended" by other members of the forum.

[hellodolly]

Recommendations by uptheos and chiang mai are as good as it gets in my book (not only in dental, but other matters as well).

My last experience with a C.M. dentist which was replacing a single filing in the rear bottom molar was agonizing. It took something like 2 1/2 hours to complete because the pain was unbearable. Also the dentist kept leaving the room for 10 minutes at a time. For what I don't know as I was the only patient there. When I went to the initial consultation, the dentist assured me he would be prepared with the proper medicines. On the day of the procedure and 10 minutes into the drilling, he told me that he only stocked one anesthesia and it was not very strong as most Thais don't care too much about anesthesia! He began to complain that the price he quoted me was not for 5 ampules and would not give more than 3 injections (even 10 would not have worked!) He made no offer to get better anesthesia and as a result, could not make a good filing. He said "it may last a year or two". I got up, paid, and walked out never to return.

The dentist I went to was "highly recommended" by other members of the forum.

Exactly

That is why I ignore them. I have a dentist that fulfills my needs in a very professional open manor. Why would I want to take the chance that I can do better else where.

Conceivably later on in my old git-hood I might wish to post a lot of complaints I could follow that route.

As has been cited here already other clinics are better but you have to get the right dentist. What kind of a recommendation is that.

[uptheos]

Recommendations by uptheos and chiang mai are as good as it gets in my book (not only in dental, but other matters as well).

My last experience with a C.M. dentist which was replacing a single filing in the rear bottom molar was agonizing. It took something like 2 1/2 hours to complete because the pain was unbearable. Also the dentist kept leaving the room for 10 minutes at a time. For what I don't know as I was the only patient there. When I went to the initial consultation, the dentist assured me he would be prepared with the proper medicines. On the day of the procedure and 10 minutes into the drilling, he told me that he only stocked one anesthesia and it was not very strong as most Thais don't care too much about anesthesia! He began to complain that the price he quoted me was not for 5 ampules and would not give more than 3 injections (even 10 would not have worked!) He made no offer to get better anesthesia and as a result, could not make a good filing. He said "it may last a year or two". I got up, paid, and walked out never to return.

The dentist I went to was "highly recommended" by other members of the forum.

Thank you Elektrified.

One thing I always try to do regarding health matters, is point people in the direction that I have personal satisfaction or know people personally that have had good experiences.

Chiang Mai is an excellent health resource person, very helpful and knowledgeable and he has helped me find a particular practitioner in the past and someone whose opinion I too would trust.

[chiang mai]

Kind words from both, I'm deeply touched and feel a little sniffle comming on (damn pollution)