Pain and dentistry in CM

[connda]

I'm on about my sixth dentist and now looking for a new one. Every dentist that I've seen in Thailand is reluctant to use local anesthetic while performing dental procedures, and every dentist I've seen has hurt me. And I've had to argue with every dentist about using anesthetics. They seem to have a screwed up, sadistic cultural bias to cause pain and suffering when they have the medicine to prevent it.

We all know how Thais are about "face". But I'm tired of Thais with a Doctorate in Dentistry talking to me like I'm stupid. So, maybe that is something that is a unique cultural trait of Americans -- I don't like subtle connotations that I'm somehow stupid and ignorant compared to the doc; I don't like to be patronized. The callousness of it really makes me angry. So I haven't seen a dentist for over two years now, but I have to have periodontal work done or I'm going to start having serious problems.

I don't know what to say. But I'm not going to sit still like a good little farang while some sadistic Thai inflicts torture on me again. Never again! Dentistry in Thailand has pretty much turned into a phobia for me. I took my wife to the dentist today, and I came out shaking. That's how totally screwed up I am now.

I don't know who to trust because my trust and my dignity has been violated by every dentist I've seen up to this point. I don't know what to do.

[babyjesus]

dr. waralak at Elite Smile has ALWAYS kept me comfortable. If she needs to drill, she will ask me if I want anaesthetic injection. I have learned to ask her in return what she thinks. Sometimes she says no need, other times she says probably we should inject. I have never once felt pain. i believe she works Friday mornings only there.

[CMNightRider]

I use Grace Dental Clinic and they have been excellent.

[kimincm]

Why not go home and have the procedure done?

[fotog]

I have a background in dentistry and from what I have seen so far, the dentistry practiced here is fine. Just remember these people are all individuals and their skill sets are not all the same either. And just as in the U.S. there will be some who are not as good as others. I would look for someone who has his/her own private practice and stay away from large dental groups where they tend to hire new or struggling dentists who work on commission.

[jcb2001]

Why not go home and have the procedure done?

My wife had a very bad experience with an dental implant procedure with a licensed Thai dentist here in Ubon. My wife is Thai, but is use to American dentist who are sensitive to patient's pain needs. Her experience here is beyond words. The dentist continued drilling after the Novocain wore off. She was a basket case for weeks after the procedure. The dentist only gave her over the counter Tylenol for pain relief, when she should have been prescribed a codeine based pain relief.

My wife now refuses to see a local Thai doctor and said she will go back to America if any future dental work is needed. Me too.

[elektrified]

I've gone round and round with 2 Dentists here about the anesthesia situation. One guy caused me to grab his wrist and stop him as the pain was so intense. There is no excuse for it in this day and age.

Dentistry is rather specialized in Thailand these days and often patients are referred to less-qualified associates if the procedure is not a big money maker for the senior partner dentist. It might help if you state exactly what procedure you need done and perhaps someone like uptheos or chiang mai will chime in with their recommendations which are always good as they have tried many different practitioners and are both very selective about choosing the best.

[elektrified]

Why not go home and have the procedure done?

My wife had a very bad experience with an dental implant procedure with a licensed Thai dentist here in Ubon. My wife is Thai, but is use to American dentist who are sensitive to patient's pain needs. Her experience here is beyond words. The dentist continued drilling after the Novocain wore off. She was a basket case for weeks after the procedure. The dentist only gave her over the counter Tylenol for pain relief, when she should have been prescribed a codeine based pain relief.

My wife now refuses to see a local Thai doctor and said she will go back to America if any future dental work is needed. Me too.

Dentists in Thailand are not licensed to dispense codeine or other narcotics I was told by a former dentist of mine.

[SteveReilly]

During my 12 years here in Thailand I have used 3 dentists. All have been excellent and all have given me more than enough for pain.

[masuk]

Absolutely no problems at RAM. They were excellent.

[jcb2001]

Why not go home and have the procedure done?

My wife had a very bad experience with an dental implant procedure with a licensed Thai dentist here in Ubon. My wife is Thai, but is use to American dentist who are sensitive to patient's pain needs. Her experience here is beyond words. The dentist continued drilling after the Novocain wore off. She was a basket case for weeks after the procedure. The dentist only gave her over the counter Tylenol for pain relief, when she should have been prescribed a codeine based pain relief.

My wife now refuses to see a local Thai doctor and said she will go back to America if any future dental work is needed. Me too.

Dentists in Thailand are not licensed to dispense codeine or other narcotics I was told by a former dentist of mine.

Oh my! If true, then everyone should be aware of this. Thailand dentistry is still in the dark ages. While waiting for my wife's implant to be done, I noticed several Thais come in with toothaches and request to have the teeth removed instead of restored. Sad, but Thailand has a long way to go with healthcare.

[elektrified]

Oh my! If true, then everyone should be aware of this. Thailand dentistry is still in the dark ages. While waiting for my wife's implant to be done, I noticed several Thais come in with toothaches and request to have the teeth removed instead of restored. Sad, but Thailand has a long way to go with healthcare.

Or it could have been 500 Baht for an extraction vs. 30K THB to fully restore a tooth. A working-class Thai with 2 kids in school, a mortgage, car payment, etc. might have a hard time with 30K THB for root canals, crowns, etc. If you have money there are some very good dentists in Thailand. For that matter, if you have money then anything is possible in Thailand.

Edited July 5, 2013 by elektrified

[uptheos]

Why not go home and have the procedure done?

My wife had a very bad experience with an dental implant procedure with a licensed Thai dentist here in Ubon. My wife is Thai, but is use to American dentist who are sensitive to patient's pain needs. Her experience here is beyond words. The dentist continued drilling after the Novocain wore off. She was a basket case for weeks after the procedure. The dentist only gave her over the counter Tylenol for pain relief, when she should have been prescribed a codeine based pain relief.

My wife now refuses to see a local Thai doctor and said she will go back to America if any future dental work is needed. Me too.

Dentists in Thailand are not licensed to dispense codeine or other narcotics I was told by a former dentist of mine.

Oh my! If true, then everyone should be aware of this. Thailand dentistry is still in the dark ages. While waiting for my wife's implant to be done, I noticed several Thais come in with toothaches and request to have the teeth removed instead of restored. Sad, but Thailand has a long way to go with healthcare.

You're just scare mongering, there are some fine dentists in Chiang Mai. Why do people like to do this?

Gawd knows what type of clinic you went to, to hear these Thai's request extraction instead of restoration, the dental consultations I have are always private.

[larrybikes]

I have used both Elite Smile and Grace Dental Clinic and have been very pleased with the pain management. I needed a root canal in May and I returned to Elite Smile for the completely painless procedure from the USA. In my attempt at humor I called my dentist "Dr. Painless" and tried to explain the television series Mash.

Price, quality, and timely service are far superior to what I have experienced in the USA.

[Mapguy]

I am puzzled, OP. Have never had any problems, nor heard such a story before!

[PoodMaiDai]

I've only had one bad dental experience here, and it was a doozie. The dentist at Bangkok-Pattaya Hosptial was removing a tooth and somehow shattered it, causing it not to come out right. "Oh hoooo, mai dee" is what he said when it cracked. Then the next 20 or 30 minutes was more or less a nightmare. All the rest have been overall good.

[connda]

"You're just scare mongering" -- No, I'm not scare mongering. I'm glad you and some other CM TV members have had good experiences. But I'm talking about my experiences with dentists in Thailand -- and the experiences have not been good when it comes to pain management.

"there are some fine dentists in Chiang Mai" -- I'm not talking about quality of work. I'm talking about my overall experiences with Thai dentist's inability to empathize and utilize palliative care with me (and probably others).

"Why do people like to do this?" Because I consider tooth pain from dental procedures to be about a 10 on a 1 to 10 scales where 1 is no pain and 10 is agony. I never had this problem with my dentist in the US. So I'm trying to find a recommendation to dentists who won't argue with me over a d_mn shot of Novocaine and the 5 to 7 minutes of the dentist's precious time to allow it to take effect.

I'll consider either Grace or Dr. Waralak at Elite (thanks BabyJesus and CMNightRIder).

Edited July 5, 2013 by connda

[Dante99]

In 25 years here I have never heard of such problems and having 6 dentists in a row doing them seems very improbable.

If a person wanted anesthetics and did not get them at the start when they are given, why would they not simply walk out? Why stay for service you know up front you do not want?

Also with so many people getting satisfactory anesthetics and service from dentists, why not ask for a reference before having 6 multiple tramas? Most people would probably ask after one "argumentative painful loss of dignity experience of callous sadistic violence." Such drama.

[Iamemjay]

I use Family Dental Clinic. Intrawarorot Rd - That's the road adjacent to 3 kings monument. I've never a problem with him and pain prevention - an excellent dentist. I have to say he's far better than any dentist I used in Australia, and a fraction of the price!

[mesquite]

connda - I've had pain-free dental procedures 100% of the time here in CM. I go to those who have a lot of farang clients and I believe are more expensive. Are you going to Thai-only dentists?

You mention periodontal work. I recommend Dr. Jarunee at Empress in Hang Dong. She uses topical anesthetic when she cleans my teeth!

I am the world's biggest wimp when it comes to dental pain. I tell them to first determine how much anesthetic it would take to kill me, then back it off just a little bit.

Good luck!

Edited July 6, 2013 by mesquite

[uptheos]

connda - I've had pain-free dental procedures 100% of the time here in CM. I go to those who have a lot of farang clients and I believe are more expensive. Are you going to Thai-only dentists?

You mention periodontal work. I recommend Dr. Jarunee at Empress in Hang Dong. She uses topical anesthetic when she cleans my teeth!

I am the world's biggest wimp when it comes to dental pain. I tell them to first determine how much anesthetic it would take to kill me, then back it off just a little bit.

Good luck!

For deep cleaning, I think Dr. Jarunee is the best.

Dr. Benjaporn at Elite & Dental4U is very good.

Have to agree on the anaesthetic statement, I get that quite clear and sorted BEFORE anything gets started. Dr.Joy at Elite has made a note on my card to be liberal with it, but I still remind her at every visit.

[mesquite]

connda - I've had pain-free dental procedures 100% of the time here in CM. I go to those who have a lot of farang clients and I believe are more expensive. Are you going to Thai-only dentists?

You mention periodontal work. I recommend Dr. Jarunee at Empress in Hang Dong. She uses topical anesthetic when she cleans my teeth!

I am the world's biggest wimp when it comes to dental pain. I tell them to first determine how much anesthetic it would take to kill me, then back it off just a little bit.

Good luck!

For deep cleaning, I think Dr. Jarunee is the best.

Dr. Benjaporn at Elite & Dental4U is very good.

Have to agree on the anaesthetic statement, I get that quite clear and sorted BEFORE anything gets started. Dr.Joy at Elite has made a note on my card to be liberal with it, but I still remind her at every visit.

Yes. I'm like a broken record - say the same thing every visit where there will be drilling involved.

[fredge45]

Seems that you had best head back to 'merica for your dental work in that you have this phobia about Thai dentists.

I've had almost all of my dental work done by Dr. Supachi, Big Smile clinic. Some of hi junior dentists may not be so great, his specialists (root canals etc) are just fine. But to each his own...

[seedy]

I have used Payon Dental Cinic - Chaiyapoom Road - Dr J - for the last two years.

Very satisfied.

[Ulysses G.]

I have had MUCH better luck with dentists IN LOS than back home in the USA. I used to dread going to the dentist in the old country, but don't sweat it here. I have been going to the RAM dental clinic for many years for just that reason.

[elektrified]

I have used Payon Dental Cinic - Chaiyapoom Road - Dr J - for the last two years.

Very satisfied.

Trust me on this one... If you have issues with pain and anesthesia (like I do), DON'T GO THERE!

[mikebell]

Just back from a dentist's in Pattaya Klang. My wife's tooth was PART extracted as it broke (700 baht). I don't know what happens about the bit left in!

[uptheos]

I have had MUCH better luck with dentists IN LOS than back home in the USA. I used to dread going to the dentist in the old country, but don't sweat it here. I have been going to the RAM dental clinic for many years for just that reason.

I agree, after having a series of root canals, which was my worst nightmare, I feel there's nothing I wouldn't let certain dentists here do. My only suggestion is just the same as for doctors, try to find a dentist that fulfills your requirements and has good reviews, then go wherever they practice.

[uptheos]

I have used Payon Dental Cinic - Chaiyapoom Road - Dr J - for the last two years.

Very satisfied.

Trust me on this one... If you have issues with pain and anesthesia (like I do), DON'T GO THERE!

Is this where you got out of the seat?

[circusman]

I have used both Elite Smile and Grace Dental Clinic and have been very pleased with the pain management. I needed a root canal in May and I returned to Elite Smile for the completely painless procedure from the USA. In my attempt at humor I called my dentist "Dr. Painless" and tried to explain the television series Mash.

Price, quality, and timely service are far superior to what I have experienced in the USA.

Hardly true. There may be some dentist here that do fine work but superior to the usa, NO WAY.