Dentistry in Japan...
...Cost SO much.
I gave in and finally went to the dentist in Japan. Horror stories of having to visit twice for just a simple teeth cleaning and multiple trips for just a simple cavity kept me away from dentists here. But a missing filling some where in my back teeth forced me go to one recently. I called up my insurance company and they reccomended a few English-speaking clinics in the Tokyo area. I chose one near Ginza just because I thought it was easy to find.
Ginza is like Rodeo Drive in L.A., rich. And while the clinic's office building was just meh from the outside, the inside of the 4th floor clinic was absolutely beautiful. Warm glowing lighting, LCD TV's playing a soothing video of marine life. The receptionists looked sexy, the technicians although wearing face masks had stunning eyes, even the clientele sitting in the waiting room looked like models (I bet they were there for cosmetic dentistry). The dental clinic in Ginza sure had that sense of sophistication. Even their aprons were branded Courreges. When sitting in the chair, as I had feared, my filling had fallen out and I was given my options.
1.) Ceramic - master technician, $2000
2.) Ceramic - regular technician $1800
3.) Ceramic/plastic resin $1200
4.) plastic filling $550
(sorry for the layman terms, I forgot what they were officially called. )
Holy Bejeezuz! Needless to say I chose a plastic filling. reason being my insurance company covers only $750 in dentals benefits per year. I instantly knew why that office was so nice. I was paying for it!! I mean even the rinse bowl among everything else, was motorized. It moved an entire 5 inches so that you could reach it better.
I give them credit though. While the dentist was applying the local anesthetic, I felt absolutely zero pain. I didn't even notice the needle in my gums. That's a lifetime first. They were very careful to inform me of every single step that they were doing to keep my comfortable and over all the experience rocked. As long as I can accept that a years worth of benefits evaporated in a day, I'd say it was awesome. In fact, I can't wait to go to my next visit.
Bonus: They X-rayed my jaw. A look at what I can see in my chin! 5 screws!
rick
8 Comments
Reader Comments (8)
Holy... thats frikkin' nuts!
My dentist is in Omotesando, has 4 dentists there doing there stuff, speaks english, cute, has nice bathroom, massive LCD tv in the elegant and stylish waiting area, each dental area also has its own mini LCD tv, etc., etc.
I had 3 fillings done (cheapass ones that are accepted on the national insurance) and only cost me like ¥7,000.
That's Ginza for ya... you rich, rich boy.
what currency? r u talking usd? wow i don't feel so bad now, that's more than wad im charging here!!
considering career move to jpn....
Jo! Yes USD. YOU should do my teeth! Although I wouldn't enjoy the idea of you sticking your grubby hands in my mouth. It sure would save me! ;)
I didn't know that they had dentist in Japan. All the tourists here have jacked up teefs.
my grubby hands? nay never! would love to know the technical terms for those items (the geek inside me requests)
come to nz for a dental check ;) would be wayy cheaper hehe
Yo, some tips for you next time. ^^;
My sister followed up on this post of yours... :p
(More relevant if you weren't in Japan though)
http://jawsfin.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!14E3BDF54FA3E64B!1038.entry
all of my friends came from japan telling me that it is so expensive to consult a dentist in japan, thats why many of Japanese go to other county like Philippines for their dental treatment or procedures.
-heather-
I would be very nervous getting dental work done in another country because I am always afraid that the standards will be radically less than those in the United States. This story makes me feel more comfortable if I had to have dental work done in Japan.
I wouldn't think that the Japanese dentist clinics would be posh places of models. The high level of technology is expected because it is Japan. I am glad that the experience was not painful.