Dental charges Chiang Mai Ram Hospital

[jko]

Recently had a 35 minute 'deep cleaning' (different to ordinary cleaning) at Chiang Mai Ram and got a bill for over 4,000 Baht - itemised as 2,000 baht for doctor fee, 1,800 for medication during the treatment, plus the usual add-ons. Since 4 more sessions are scheduled, the eventual total will be over 20,000 baht, which seems wildly excessive.

 

Can anyone suggest another reputable clinic in CNX to have this done at a more reasonable cost?

 

 

[lopburi3]

What did you have for medication?  Put under?  Believe treatment was as below listed at Smile Dental in Bangkok so price would seem about right if the medication was above normal.  Although this would normally be 4 sessions total rather than the 5 you indicate - but perhaps last one a general cleaning/covering treatment?

 

Gum Treatment / Root Planing by Gum Dentist (cost per jaw quadrant)

1,800 - 2,500

[chiang mai]

I've had deep cleaning (scaling) done at a local dentist and no anaesthetic was required plus it was done in one two hour session. CM Ram dentists offered me the same service (one session/no anaesthetic) but I used another dentist in a better location for me.

[jko]

17 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

What did you have for medication?  Put under?  Believe treatment was as below listed at Smile Dental in Bangkok so price would seem about right if the medication was above normal.  Although this would normally be 4 sessions total rather than the 5 you indicate - but perhaps last one a general cleaning/covering treatment?

 

Gum Treatment / Root Planing by Gum Dentist (cost per jaw quadrant)

1,800 - 2,500

The 'medication' was only some kind of liquid spray which had a smell something like clove oil. I was offered a pain injection but declined. The doctor arrived 20 minutes late for that appointment, and had cancelled two previous appointments, absolutely no apology or reason given, so I was not impressed.

 

The clinic also looks scruffy, and was obviously not included in the Ram renovation. I'd like therefore to change my dentist!

[puck2]

google -->

 

[Sparkles]

Empress Dental 1,000 baht is what we pay,Canal Road, Mae Hia, see web site.

[amexpat]

1 hour ago, jko said:

'deep cleaning' (different to ordinary cleaning)

 

[elektrified]

20K is excessive. I recommend Dr. Benjaporn at Elite. She is very popular with many, many patients. Even if you had to go twice at 1K THB a pop, that's a fraction of what you were quoted at RAM. I presume by "deep cleaning" you mean use of the ultrasonic device. Dr. Jarunee is the best at that IMO but Dr. Benjaporn comes close.

[Dante99]

The doctor having cancelled two previous appointments you should have gone someplace else.

[augustwest]

You can try fortune dental. I forgot his name but he works at least near the Airport Central and behind BigC extra. Think they have 5 branches in CM.

[chiang mai]

There's a big difference between cleaning and scaling, the latter being more invasive and requiring circa two hours, it is also mildly uncomfortable but not nearly anything like approaching anaesthesia territory.

[jko]

5 hours ago, Dante99 said:

The doctor having cancelled two previous appointments you should have gone someplace else.

Agree absolutely, but CNX Ram has my dental records going back many years, so I stuck with it. I intend to become unstuck now!

 

Just looked at my bill again - the dentist fee was actually 2,200 Baht - for 35 minutes. That after arriving 20 minutes late...

[Dante99]

2 hours ago, jko said:

Agree absolutely, but CNX Ram has my dental records going back many years, so I stuck with it. I intend to become unstuck now!

 

Just looked at my bill again - the dentist fee was actually 2,200 Baht - for 35 minutes. That after arriving 20 minutes late...

Ram will provide you with copies of your records if you just ask, probably downstairs.  Mine were free.  Then you can move on unless you prefer to continue to make excuses.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Dante99

[mesquite]

9 hours ago, elektrified said:

20K is excessive. I recommend Dr. Benjaporn at Elite. She is very popular with many, many patients. Even if you had to go twice at 1K THB a pop, that's a fraction of what you were quoted at RAM. I presume by "deep cleaning" you mean use of the ultrasonic device. Dr. Jarunee is the best at that IMO but Dr. Benjaporn comes close.

I think it was 2k, not 20k

[amexpat]

6 hours ago, chiang mai said:

There's a big difference between cleaning and scaling, the latter being more invasive and requiring circa two hours, it is also mildly uncomfortable but not nearly anything like approaching anaesthesia territory.

 

Correct.  I had it done long ago and far away and I did get a shot of "novcaine".  Note, too, that the prices quoted are per "sector" or quadrant or arch, etc.  The level of discomfort and cost depends on what is required.

 

If it is needed, do it!  Gum surgery is a bitch. 

[KhonKaenKowboy]

I paid 1700 for 2 x 2 quadrants with novacaine in 2010.  Professor Supathra Www.ssdental clinic Chiang mai.com on Nimman.

 

RAM charge 170 the for 1 strip of antibiotics that are 30 thb all over cm.  Let's face it..that,s not the only occasion for them to try one on.

 

Edited September 14, 2016 by KhonKaenKowboy

[Dante99]

23 hours ago, jko said:

 

Just looked at my bill again - the dentist fee was actually 2,200 Baht - for 35 minutes. 

A good surgeon will be about 7-10 times that for the same amount of time, everything depends on the kind of proceedure.

 

You should know the price before you start, if not welcome Kareoke bill.

 

[Sparkles]

Its very simple to ask the cost BEFORE you get treatment anywhere.In fact at Empress Dental,our dentist of choice, there is a sign to that effect ,at reception,and a laminated price list next to it.Never had a problem when the bill is presented. Its virtually a menu

[chiang mai]

8 minutes ago, Sparkles said:

Its very simple to ask the cost BEFORE you get treatment anywhere.In fact at Empress Dental,our dentist of choice, there is a sign to that effect ,at reception,and a laminated price list next to it.Never had a problem when the bill is presented. Its virtually a menu

 

Beware the price ranges, 800 - 2,400 for example.

[tomwct]

Private Hospital, Private Hospital Rates! No surprise here!

[chiang mai]

Just now, tomwct said:

Private Hospital, Private Hospital Rates! No surprise here!

 

Empress is not a hospital, it's a dentist.

[Sparkles]

5 minutes ago, chiang mai said:

 

Beware the price ranges, 800 - 2,400 for example.

Well in that case you ask for clarification which we did when my wife had a crown. Just employ common sense.

[stament]

Who did the work? Sounds a bit high to me. I seem to recall my most recent checkup and clean @ CM Ram was between c800, can't recall exactly but it was fine with me. I like the dentist I go too and trust him explicitly so I don't mind paying a bit more. 

[chiang mai]

On 15/09/2016 at 7:42 PM, Sparkles said:

Well in that case you ask for clarification which we did when my wife had a crown. Just employ common sense.

 

The problem with say fillings is that the initial quote may be something like 800 because it's only small, only to find afterwards that it was actually quite large hence the 2,000 baht fee.

[KhonKaenKowboy]

Charging per surface is common.  A large back can be a triple, which is 3x more.

[Bob9]

Chiang Mai Ram is EXPENSIVE - and getting worse !!  I used to go there for everything, but now I go elsewhere.

 

Grace Dental Care Clinic is not recommended IMO. They have the same attitude as Ram. I went there to get a filling and they wanted to do root canal etc etc - 3 visits and 20-30,000 baht was quoted. Their x-ray machine required me to place on a lead jacket - have not seen that in Aus for 20 years - all done in the chair nowadays and on computer screen in same room - they are not modern!  PS - I left (no thanks) and saw my dentist on my next trip home - $180 for filling (4680baht) - including '3D xray'. Never been to a dentist in CM since.

 

Getting back to CM Ram - I have a problem that requires ongoing specialist treatment and medications (skin). I told the CM Ram specialist that I was going to Sriphat because Ram was so expensive - I was asked to call back with outcome. Sriphat gave same diagnosis and treatment and medications, and was half the price. I called the Ram specialist at private clinic and told the outcome. My next visit was to the private clinic - half the price of what Ram charges for same everything - go figure.

 

Anecdotal evidence, but it seems to me that Ram is losing more Expats (and some Thais), and their answer is atypical Thai - raise prices and charges to cover lower revenues (gotta pay for renovations). I am now 'registered' at Sriphat - which is a private clinic/hospital attached to the big Maharaj Nakom hospital - together they have everything Ram does (and much more).  Yes - in this town you need to find the best specialist in whatever field and then the hospital - but many will use Sriphat/Maharaj (if asked).

 

 

 

 

[KhonKaenKowboy]

They used the flak vest at ram, also.

[jko]

My thanks to those who recommended Periodontist Dr Benjaporn Meeleesawasdi at Elite Smile, Pantip Plaza.

 

She recently carried out a full hour of deep cleaning on me, one side, lower and upper, with a very adequate local anesthetic. I found her very professional, courteous and gentle. She remarked that in her opinion, the treatment carried out by the dentist at Chiang Mai Ram was not 100%, and she repeated the cleaning already done there.

 

The total bill was 1,200 Baht for 60 minutes. The other side will cost the same when I go again for the other side. This will mean deep cleaning, full mouth, will total 2,400 Baht.

 

This compares with the 4,200 Baht for 35 minutes I paid at Ram with a minimum three future appointments necessary, so the total for a full mouth would have been over 16,000 Baht.

 

At nearly seven times the cost, and even considering the private hospital v. local clinic status, it is clear that Chiang Mai Ram Dental Clinic is guilty of gross overcharging.

 

After many years of my support, they have now lost me as a patient, forever. I suspect many more may follow my example. 

 

[Bill97]

Sure glad that is finished.