Bad Day At Chiang Mai Ram Hospital Dental Clinic

[JustCurious]

Visited Chiang Mai Ram Hospital Dental Clinic for a simple filling.

After visit, I noticed my tooth was sensitive when eating when I would bite down.

Went back to dentist who seemed to think it was funny, had me chew on a piece of "cardboard," said there was no problem, and said give it time.

Went back again. Dentist has me chew on a piece of "cardboard" again, again says ther's no problem (?), when I try to explain my symptoms she talks over me and just smiles and talks in Thai to dental techs, says again to wait, says not sure what else to do, and to try chewing on the other side of my mouth.

Months later, still have the same problem and went to a dentist in town who said the tooth might be cracked and require a crown or the filling material is bad and I should start with a temporary filling first.

Sent email to Ram dental clinic. No reply.

[anselpixel]

I used them when I first came to CM, and they weren't very successful at anything they attempted. Language was a big problem, and there seemed to be no overall planning for my case. A step up from Fun Sabai, but certainly not in a league with other dental clinics around town.

[kaptainrob]

Go see Empress Dental at Mae Hia, excellent English and quality care! On Canal Road just after the Yummy Pizza turn-in.

Coordinates: 18°44'28"N 98°56'14"E

Edited February 23, 2013 by kaptainrob

[NancyL]

What the dentist was checking when you were asked to "chew on a piece of cardboard" was if the filling was too high. It's a pretty standard exam technique and often they do it when they complete a filling to check their work. That being said, they should have looked for other causes of the OP's pain, especially when it didn't go away when given time.

[Greenside]

That sounds like a miserable experience. What you need is a bit of fun...

[junglechef]

Went to Just For Fun this week, after check-up said all was fine and told if one of my teeth w/big filling was ever has problem it should be crowned. Then after clean and polish he said I need to crown and have 8 fillings for over 20,000 bht. Try to ask about fillings but just kept repeating same technical word I told him I have not heard of (something to do with fillings on top of teeth next to gums) and he spoke English well enough. Kind of brushed me off (yeah another one of my bad puns) when I pressed for answers. Was handed many brochures on way out with all kinds of specials and marketing. Who knows but did not leave me with a sense of confidence in their diagnosis.

[chiang mai]

Dr Varaporn at RAM dental clinic is one of the very best in her field, her English is excellent.

[market trader]

Dr Varaporn at RAM dental clinic is one of the very best in her field, her English is excellent.

I also will vouch for Dr. Varaporn. Have been going to her for 2 years. Yes she speaks excellent english only problem is she speaks so softly I constantly have to ask her to repeat what she said. One time I asked her to pretend that I am deaf and yell at me when she talked. She happily obliged, but even then her soft voice prevailed.

[rideswings]

Dr Varaporn at RAM dental clinic is one of the very best in her field, her English is excellent.

I also will vouch for Dr. Varaporn. Have been going to her for 2 years. Yes she speaks excellent english only problem is she speaks so softly I constantly have to ask her to repeat what she said. One time I asked her to pretend that I am deaf and yell at me when she talked. She happily obliged, but even then her soft voice prevailed.

So am I wrong or is the same female dentist that the OP is unhappy with? Is the RAM dental clinic mentioned by the above 2 happy customers the same as Chiang Mai Ram Hospital Dental Clinic referred to by the OP?

[chiang mai]

Dr Varaporn at RAM dental clinic is one of the very best in her field, her English is excellent.

I also will vouch for Dr. Varaporn. Have been going to her for 2 years. Yes she speaks excellent english only problem is she speaks so softly I constantly have to ask her to repeat what she said. One time I asked her to pretend that I am deaf and yell at me when she talked. She happily obliged, but even then her soft voice prevailed.

So am I wrong or is the same female dentist that the OP is unhappy with? Is the RAM dental clinic mentioned by the above 2 happy customers the same as Chiang Mai Ram Hospital Dental Clinic referred to by the OP?

It's the same dental clinic but the OP doesn't tell us which dentist he saw there.

[crusader79]

Sounds like a cracked molar, very common as you get older. Once the crack gets big enough the nerve will die and you'll need a root canal.

[ThaiPauly]

Been going to Grace Dental Clinic for years....never any problem.

Me too...not the cheapest by far but you get what you pay for

[market trader]

Dr Varaporn at RAM dental clinic is one of the very best in her field, her English is excellent.

I also will vouch for Dr. Varaporn. Have been going to her for 2 years. Yes she speaks excellent english only problem is she speaks so softly I constantly have to ask her to repeat what she said. One time I asked her to pretend that I am deaf and yell at me when she talked. She happily obliged, but even then her soft voice prevailed.

So am I wrong or is the same female dentist that the OP is unhappy with? Is the RAM dental clinic mentioned by the above 2 happy customers the same as Chiang Mai Ram Hospital Dental Clinic referred to by the OP?

The dental clinic at Chiang Mai Ram has 6 or 7 dentists associated with it. Several of them are female.

[circusman]

Sounds like a cracked molar, very common as you get older. Once the crack gets big enough the nerve will die and you'll need a root canal.

You don't do root canal if the nerve is dead. The purpose of the root canal is to kill all the nerve if it is not already.

[chiang mai]

Sounds like a cracked molar, very common as you get older. Once the crack gets big enough the nerve will die and you'll need a root canal.

You don't do root canal if the nerve is dead. The purpose of the root canal is to kill all the nerve if it is not already.

Not 100% correct, the root canal also cleans out the nerve channel in the root to prevent regrowth and in the interests of hygene also, before the post is fitted. So yes, the primary purpose is to kill the nerve but there are other reasosn why it must be done.

[MilesCh]

In reference to 2 other comments as to Grace: I have been going there for 10 years and have not had a bad experience after perhaps 50 appointments for various kinds of work including 2 implants, crowns, extractions, etc. They are probably the most expensive in town; however I don't feel I can afford to change. All of the dentists have excellent command of English, many educated in USA and accredited there as well & are professors and such there.

As an aside when i first went to Chiang Mai Ram for a dental cleaning, later discovered the periodontist I saw, whom I thought was excellent, also worked at Grace. And I've been going there ever since. However, that periodontist moved to BKK, but her replacement is quite competent. Dr. Karakot is in charge and if she's in town you will see her first and she'll send you to the appropriate specialist.

I once tried another clinic for a partial plate and it simply never fit properly, so threw it away and returned to Grace.

http://www.gracedentalclinic.com/

[elektrified]

Go see Empress Dental at Mae Hia, excellent English and quality care! On Canal Road just after the Yummy Pizza turn-in.

Coordinates: 18°44'28"N 98°56'14"E

Yes in the case of Dr. Jarunee; the owner of the clinic (who does not have much time these days for anything but cleaning). Not so in the case of the associates. If she is not available to do the work herself, go elsewhere.

[Sparkles]

Go see Empress Dental at Mae Hia, excellent English and quality care! On Canal Road just after the Yummy Pizza turn-in.

Coordinates: 18°44'28"N 98°56'14"E

Yes in the case of Dr. Jarunee; the owner of the clinic (who does not have much time these days for anything but cleaning). Not so in the case of the associates. If she is not available to do the work herself, go elsewhere.

Bit harsh.I know 4 people from my village,same as Kaptain Rob's abode, who are more than happy with work done by Dr Jarunee's associates.I had a difficult filling done their last week and the Dentist,male, was brilliant .1 hour in the chair 1,000 baht .At the same time Dr Jarunee was treating a patient, who had been in her room for 2 hours and it wasn't for cleaning.But each to his own.

[uptheos]

Go see Empress Dental at Mae Hia, excellent English and quality care! On Canal Road just after the Yummy Pizza turn-in.

Coordinates: 18°44'28"N 98°56'14"E

Yes in the case of Dr. Jarunee; the owner of the clinic (who does not have much time these days for anything but cleaning). Not so in the case of the associates. If she is not available to do the work herself, go elsewhere.

Bit harsh.I know 4 people from my village,same as Kaptain Rob's abode, who are more than happy with work done by Dr Jarunee's associates.I had a difficult filling done their last week and the Dentist,male, was brilliant .1 hour in the chair 1,000 baht .At the same time Dr Jarunee was treating a patient, who had been in her room for 2 hours and it wasn't for cleaning.But each to his own.

Not harsh at all, we all have different experiences. I had Dr. Jarunee at Grace and followed her to Empress when she first started. She once recommended on of her associates, a young guy to do some work and it was among the worst experiences I have had. Dr. Jarunee herself, is excellent, but she is so busy and often cancels appointments......best see her in the low season. I currently use Dr. Joy at Elite Smile, two root canals and by far the best I've had yet, she will be guided by you regarding the anaestesia level, but to be honest the amount she has given me thus far is more than adequate. I had deep cleaning done by Dr. Benchaporn there, not as good as Dr. Jarunee, but it was still quite good.

Edit: I think the part that starts with Bit harsh, is actually Sparkles post and not Elektrified.

Edited February 24, 2013 by uptheos

[elektrified]

Go see Empress Dental at Mae Hia, excellent English and quality care! On Canal Road just after the Yummy Pizza turn-in.

Coordinates: 18°44'28"N 98°56'14"E

Yes in the case of Dr. Jarunee; the owner of the clinic (who does not have much time these days for anything but cleaning). Not so in the case of the associates. If she is not available to do the work herself, go elsewhere.

Bit harsh.I know 4 people from my village,same as Kaptain Rob's abode, who are more than happy with work done by Dr Jarunee's associates.I had a difficult filling done their last week and the Dentist,male, was brilliant .1 hour in the chair 1,000 baht .At the same time Dr Jarunee was treating a patient, who had been in her room for 2 hours and it wasn't for cleaning.But each to his own.

I would be interested to know the name (if permitted by the forum) of the male Dentist who did your fillings. For all I know she may have new associates. Previously, some were just out of dental school.

[crayon]

Unfortunately, I agree with you 100 percent. Without going into any details, I would avoid this dental hosp at all costs.

[ThaiHerbs]

I am extremely pleased with www.elitesmilecm.com

1 root canal, 4 crowns, several fillings over the past few months. After initial consultation you are given a detailed written program of recommended work with quotes. Excellent communication skills (good English), nice people to deal with all round.

Doug

[just_Elaine]

Unfortunately, I agree with you 100 percent. Without going into any details, I would avoid this dental hosp at all costs.

Are you talking about Chiang Mai Ram?

[circusman]

Elite Dental are in fact elite. I recommend them.

[chiang mai]

Interesting but important trivia:

Elite Dental is in fact elitesmile!

Dr Varaporn at RAM dentist was the instructor at CMU for many of the dentists who work/own Elite in Panthip Plaza, they all know each other et al.

[arunsakda]

Recommend Dr. Naphachakorn at Grace Dental and Dr. Niratchada at Dentaland Nimman Soi 17. Both very skilled, no upsell.

[Rotweiler]

Strong recommendation for the Chuthamat Dental Clinic (Dr. Jutamas) - she has reasonable prices and is a long-term dentist and instructor.

N18 46.595 E98 59.886

7/7, Pracha Samphan Rd., Chang Khlan

0-5327-5795

[jackr]

Had same thing happen as you op, but at CM Dental Hosp with a dentist I previously had a lot of respect for... went on for months until got it seen to elsewhere. They typically don't like to admit failure, so for future ref, do yourself a favour and go elsewhere when stuff like that happens.

[Jose]

I once tried another clinic for a partial plate and it simply never fit properly, so threw it away and returned to Grace.

http://www.gracedentalclinic.com/

There are two warnings posted on that site: "Warning: Division by zero in..."

Is this ominous?

I mean, what would happen if in the middle of dental surgery...

[chiang mai]

It's tourist season again, I can tell!