New Dentist Needed

[chiang mai]

Sadly I have to part with my much trusted dentist of four years standing, they've started to take the mick. when it comes to their charges - they're either not doing great business any longer or they've developed farangitis: scaling 1,000 baht and 16 minutes plus two fillings in 14 minutes, 2,600 baht!

 

So, any recommendations for good dentists who are sensibly priced (not cheap, just sensible).

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

[dhream]

Who are your mickey dentists so we can avoid them?

A website link that speaks for itself, and wording that is non accusatory, rather than actually saying anything 'defamatory' is the way to go.

Think like a Thai when being critical...

[Fookhaht]

We have to admit that these example charges are a pittance compared to dental charges in many of our home countries.  Fifteen years ago, my dentist charged 10,000B  ($300 USD) for just a cleaning.  I paid 60,000B ($1,500 USD) just to cap two teeth.  

However, probably like the poster, many of us have chosen to either: 1) live within our means--on a fixed, retirement income), and/or 2) live in harmony with our economic environment--not becoming the "walking ATM" for our hosts nor trying to cheat them out of a decent wage as well.  

Sorry, I don't have an answer (not living in CM), but just wanted to voice solidarity with a poster who I don't consider a "Cheap Charlie," but just a guy who wants to live sensibly here, as do I.     

Good luck.  

[Sparkles]

My wife and I have been using the servces of Empress Dental,over 8 years,which is on the Canal Road just before the turn off to the Night Safari and next to Kwan's Kitchen restaurant.

 

They have a web site.Its a brand new building. We have had everything from cleaning ,x rays ,extractions ,fillings and one cap all handled very professionally.

I believe thay are mid range with their pricing but we are very satisfied customers as are many others judging by the numbers turning up,especially families.

 

I dont believe there is any point comparing prices with our home countries.The salaries paid here are minimal in comparison and in my country Australia it would appear there is some price colusion in the industry but just speculation on my part. 

 

[evenstevens]

maerim plaza, adjacent to steak of the day,,, opened about 3 yrs back, my daughter has been going to her ,and at this point of time , everything is fine

prices?? best to do a raincheck

its a  Pink Floyd  good arvo to all

[chiang mai]

38 minutes ago, Fookhaht said:

We have to admit that these example charges are a pittance compared to dental charges in many of our home countries.  Fifteen years ago, my dentist charged 10,000B  ($300 USD) for just a cleaning.  I paid 60,000B ($1,500 USD) just to cap two teeth.  

However, probably like the poster, many of us have chosen to either: 1) live within our means--on a fixed, retirement income), and/or 2) live in harmony with our economic environment--not becoming the "walking ATM" for our hosts nor trying to cheat them out of a decent wage as well.  

Sorry, I don't have an answer (not living in CM), but just wanted to voice solidarity with a poster who I don't consider a "Cheap Charlie," but just a guy who wants to live sensibly here, as do I.     

Good luck.  

 

For me this is a matter of principle, the dentist I have now disassociated from made a big deal at the outset about same prices for everyone and even publishes their charges. Using those charges a scaling might cost anywhere from 600 to 1,000 baht and take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, that doesn't compare favourably to the 1,000 baht and 16 minutes I was charged. Ditto the cost of fillings which according to the price list may cost in a range of 600 to 2,500 baht and each take up to an hour, two in 14 minutes for 2,600 baht doesn't equate to me. I suppose what we're paying for is a combination of the amount of dentist time we occupy AND a variable that incorporates the degree of complexity (a filling in a back tooth might be expected to cost more than a filling in a front tooth because it's more fiddly - my two fillings were front teeth on the outer facing surface). And yes, the cost of these things back home is typically much more, but this isn't that place of course. And FWIW Mrs CM also had a single filling done in a back tooth at the same time I was being seen, it seems she was charged 2,800 because of the complexity and time involved, it therefore seems that it's not just farangs who are being charged higher amounts!

 

 

[chiang mai]

59 minutes ago, dhream said:

Who are your mickey dentists so we can avoid them?

A website link that speaks for itself, and wording that is non accusatory, rather than actually saying anything 'defamatory' is the way to go.

Think like a Thai when being critical...

 

A,  Talented lime isle, is all the rave these days.

Edited August 30, 2016 by chiang mai

[rogeroc]

Only limited experience but a friend and i have found the guy on the corner of Soi 2, Moon Muang (where the Hash House used to be) to be pretty reasonable. Bertween us only had cleaning and whitening done though. We both thought reasonable price and no BS.

[cmsally]

Would second the guy on corner of Moon Muang Soi 2 as have a few friends who went there and very happy.

My dentist is Rimfah For Fan on Jhaban Road. Behind 3 Kings Khao Soi restaurant.

He does everything himself from the simple to the complex. Explains in Thai or English and is generally a really nice person. Never go anywhere else now. Took me ages to find a dentist I really liked.

[chiang mai]

3 minutes ago, cmsally said:

Would second the guy on corner of Moon Muang Soi 2 as have a few friends who went there and very happy.

My dentist is Rimfah For Fan on Jhaban Road. Behind 3 Kings Khao Soi restaurant.

He does everything himself from the simple to the complex. Explains in Thai or English and is generally a really nice person. Never go anywhere else now. Took me ages to find a dentist I really liked.

"Rimfah For Fan on Jhaban Road. Behind 3 Kings Khao Soi restaurant".

 

Why of course, why didn't you just say that.

 

Just joking, I'll find it, many thanks.

[cmsally]

You can't get a great pic on streetview and they went past when he was closed. But the metal gate on right is normally open and you walk through to the back.

 

Rimfah For Fun

 

If no one on the desk just pick up a card and call later. There isn't always someone on the desk unless in between patients.

OK found the number

053  327300   327048

[chiang mai]

23 minutes ago, cmsally said:

You can't get a great pic on streetview and they went past when he was closed. But the metal gate on right is normally open and you walk through to the back.

 

Rimfah For Fun

 

If no one on the desk just pick up a card and call later. There isn't always someone on the desk unless in between patients.

OK found the number

053  327300   327048

 

Many thanks Sally, I was of course only making lite of the names.

[cmsally]

You can repeat the name of the dentist to yourself over again and again while waiting; should help to to stave off Alzheimers ! 

[MissAndry]

Has anyone tried the dentist at ChiangMai Siamrat Hospital on the corner of Chang Puak/Superhighway?

 

I've used the guy on MoonMuang Soy 2 for a cleaning, 600bht and he did a good job.

Edited August 30, 2016 by MissAndry

[elektrified]

Sounds like my dentist. Actually I think you were the one who recommended them! But no complaints c.m......  It hasn't gotten insane yet - for me at least. But the first cleaning was 500, the next two 600, then the last one in June - 800, but she spent about 35 minutes. So, quite an increase in just a couple of years. I had one filling done by a colleague there, whose name escapes me at the moment. He was fast. I don't think I was in the chair more than 15-20 minutes. 1800 Baht as I recall.

 

Dentists around here have a habit of taking their prices to the moon in a short period of time. Happened with Kitcha and then Empress (I still think the owner is the best there is), but 600-700 to 1500 last I asked in just a couple of years - for cleaning...and I don't like her young colleagues at all.

[Sparkles]

For deep cleaning at Empress I pay 1,000 baht and have done for at least 5 years,thats twice a year visitation with the owner Dr Jarunee.Have found all her dentists to be very professional,just my wife and my own experiences.Have referred quite few friends they all continue to go there.Lots of other options of course but continuity is my go if I feel satisfied with the provider.

[dingdongrb]

I've been using Elite Dental at Pantip for several years now and have no complaints. Typically cleaning for me takes about 30 minutes and I'm usually charged 800-1,000 baht....  I had a filling done on a front tooth earlier this year and the charge was 1,000 baht.

[2k6]

I used Payon Dental Clinic for a cleaning and the take home teeth whitening.

Happy with the service and price.

[chiang mai]

40 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

I've been using Elite Dental at Pantip for several years now and have no complaints. Typically cleaning for me takes about 30 minutes and I'm usually charged 800-1,000 baht....  I had a filling done on a front tooth earlier this year and the charge was 1,000 baht.

 

Er, umm, umm!

[KhonKaenKowboy]

My dentist charges 500 for cleaning, and fillings are 500 per surface.  Cleaning is not root planing, though, which she will send you to the Periodontist at SS Dental.  I had that done 6 years ago, and no sign of gum disease since.  Seeing other Thais in both places is a good sign...pricewise.  I asked her about insurance, and she kind of indicated it was worthless, unless you had a whole bunch of deferred stuff.  I'm 100% sold on female dentists....smaller hands, gentle, jaw less sore.  Dental can be quite a bit less here than Issan....some of them "no foreigner"..others want 1000 thb...and one reprimanded me for trying to negotiate with her.....CMU Dental School....be glad it's here.  My mom spent 154 usd on x-rays/cleaning and didn't even see a DDS, last week in the US. 

[elektrified]

11 hours ago, 2k6 said:

I used Payon Dental Clinic for a cleaning and the take home teeth whitening.

Happy with the service and price.

O.K. but fillings.......another story altogether.

[chiang mai]

I've sent Mrs CM off to the nearby Maerim Plaza and at the suggestion of ES we're going to try a local dentist (and least Mrs CM is and she will duly report back) - if the report is favourable I'll give it a shot, if it's not I'll have to send my scout to our second choice, don't worry, Mrs CM's got lots of teeth!

 

I'll report back on what we find.

 

[eyecatcher]

I needed a crown and root canal so I shopped around like the thrifty person I am.

 

After several recommendations on here, the same 2, Elite and Empress were on the list.

both places were coming in at circa 25k.

These were the most expensive places.

I was recommended by a Thai to go to the place opposite chiang mai gate market, lots of Thais go there and its run by the professor from the dentistry faculty at the uni. that sounded promising.

 

Went there,it was like stepping back in time....1980s, the place was a hovel, 3 or 4 chairs in bright blue all in the same room, with just one or two strip lights on the ceiling.

 

The price for the same treatment would be circa 16k; however the wait is 5 weeks to get the first procedure (of 5) underway.

 

The thing about the expensive places is they are now almost uniquely running for farangs, no one else can afford them and as such you can get any procedure started the next day.

 

I ended up with the Empress. The first time I went a farang came out and was asked to pay 50k baht for his crown works "but I already paid 50k three weeks ago"

"solly sir, but that was only for the gum surgery and root canal, not the crown"

 

He was floored, both me and the lady beside me just looked at each other in amazement.

 

Over 5 visits of mine, they added on bits and pieces to suit themselves....a difficult root canal or simple, up to them to decide, I pressed for it to be simple.

my root canal work was a pain; I had to cancel the following appointment becasue the dentist had trapped my gums with his clamps. they gave me some medecine of course and I refused to pay for that.

The final fitting of the crown procedure at the end was I think 14k, the cash in my pocket; yet the girl wanted to charge me 200bt for the xray for the benefit of the dentist checking he had fitted it correctly.

 

I refused, I created a scene, and told them how petty they were being after I had paid 25k.

In reply they tried to fob me off with a free tube of sensodyne toothpaste.

 

sensodyne...i ask you, I just had a root canal, why the hell do i need thier sensodyne

my experience was terrible, I think 4 different specialists carried out work on my tooth. in the uk it was one dentist to do the lot, its like everything else here, they always need at least two people to do every job.

 

.

i will not be going back there in future.......the staircase is nice though.

[Dante99]

Dental World,  south side of the moat just west of the east corner, outside left side.  Family had 5 crowns and 4 wisdom teeth removed, all good.  Choose your specialist online, some instructors at CMU Dental School.

[aquario33]

Elite Clinic  (or similar name), around the corner from Pantip next to the Sabushi Restaurant .

Ask for Krisada , he speaks english well and studied / lived in Canada before. I was refered to him by a friend and happy to get treatment from him ,if in need.

Prices are acceptable and transparent. Equipment seems brandnew and there is a very comfy waiting lounge too..cleanliness same as back home in switzerland !

Edited August 31, 2016 by aquario33
update

[Dante99]

Oh my, nothing can be as clean as Switzerland!

 

BTW have you folks ever cleaned the chewing gum off your rail platforms?  

[rawhod]

Between Nov. 2014 and Feb. 2015, my wife and myself between us had:-

 

2 x Porcelain veneer, Palladium, Crown (certificated)

3 x Partial denture (Chromium - Cobalt)

Crown lengthening

Root canal treatment

Fiber post and composite core build up

2 x tooth extraction

6 x Composite resin filling

 

All carried out by Dr Chadathip at Elite Smile Dental Clinic.

At a total cost of 71,000 baht

 

The standard of the work was excellent

 

The partial dentures were 10,000 baht each

The Porcelain crowns were 10,000 baht each.

Crown lengthening 5,000 baht

Fiber post and root canal work 7,500 baht

Fillings between 1000 & 2000 baht each

Extractions between 500 & 1000 baht.

 

[KhonKaenKowboy]

Glad you are satisfied, and there have been plenty of good reviews on Elite in the past.  However, 18 months is a long time, and when these practices (and hospitals) implement opportunistic pricing models; the apples can go rotten quite quickly.  I knew a guy, who used to say avoid places with flat screen monitors (about 20 years ago), because they were 500 usd a piece then, and usually a part of a new software upgrade that enabled the practices to maximize charges/billing/profits..even giving the office staff reminders of how to squeeze people.  I've seen a number of forums where former employees reveal the secrets of the dental profession......and the assistants are no different than insurance clerks or car repair shop billing staff.  They are the front line people for the doctors to maximize profits.  Local crown prices seemed to have gone up a lot recently....likely for no other reason than they were just too much cheaper than the West.  If you're bored sometime, go on Alibaba and price medical devices....you might even try building your next GF, when you see how cheap that stuff is.  The implant posts are about 40 us each.  Of course, not FDA approved in the US, but that Chinese stuff gets better and better....like Zenni-optical.  It  would be nice if there was a middle road, but the Chines make one for 40, that is probably 99% as good as the ones the Americans and Swiss charge 1000 for....really makes you scratch your head.

 

Dollars and Dentists....for your viewing pleasure...courtesy PBS.http://www.pbs.org/video/2250628150/

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by KhonKaenKowboy

[chiang mai]

Recommending Elite because they compare favourably to Switzerland: well yes but this is Thailand and that's where I start to have a problem, you see it's them that I am talking about in the OP and who I am looking to change from, does nobody do anagrams any more! "Talented lime isle" ! Make no mistake, the dentists at Elite are very good and the practise is a good choice for anyone wanting farang friendly dentistry in Thailand.

 

It's all well and good that we have dental clinics who are on par with those in Switzerland but most of us don't want or need such things, if we did we would be living there and not here. Thailand has zillions of really good dentists, CM is fortunate in that it has the CM Uni. Dental School hence CM has it's fair share.  And because there is an abundance of them you would think that competition would drive the prices down, not so. I suppose it's a bit like coffee shops, it's easy to spend £3.50 for a good cup of coffee at Starbucks, whilst the same thing is available in the lobby of Pantip Plaza at £0.85 for the same thing. I think, living in Thailand, I don't need or want £3.50 cups of coffee.

Edited August 31, 2016 by chiang mai

[rawhod]

Before we had any treatment at Elite, we received an itemised estimate, which gave an opportunity to check the treatment and the prices.

 

OK, they weren't in the "85 pence" price range, but they certainly weren't in the extortionate price range for private treatment in the UK.

 

KKK...maybe your implant post is 40 dollars on-line, but it's hardly a DIY job...

Fiber post and root canal work is hardly expensive at 7.5k baht.