Faz
Well-known member
First, let me state that of the 60 years spent in the UK, I only ever needed 1 tooth extracted. Tried cracking an almond nut at Xmas and the nut came off best.
That resulted in a bridge being fitted. I chipped both front teeth jumping out of a tree as a kid, and hitting my chin on my knee, which later resulted in two crowns.
3/4 fillings and that's about it.
Thailand.
I've always attended regular 6 month check-ups at private dental clinics in Thailand.
First time I had a problem with a back tooth, I visited 3 different dentists (no x-ray facilities) before being advised to visit the dental department at the local hospital.
After inspection and an x-ray they ascertained the pulp was inflamed and a root canal treatment required.
Multiple dentists at the hospital facilities and long queues.
So the young female dentist starts drilling, and drilling, and drilling, then abruptly stops and sends me for a further x-ray.
She drilled so deep she'd actually cracked and split the 3 roots of the tooth. Extraction now the only alternative.
Over the course of time, I became suspicious of the qualifications of the dentists. Often, other than the regular check up if they suspected other treatment was required, they'd refer you to an alternative dentist. The other issue is that just when you think you've found a dentist you feel confident with, 6 months later the clinic has closed or moved to a different location.
Some time later, I start to have a problem with another back tooth, experiencing a slight discomfort and mild pain when biting down on the tooth.
3 different clinic visits, no x-ray, and they all pass it off as nothing found.
Cleaning my teeth one morning, I pull back my mouth to examine the tooth, and it's discoloured and turning black!
4th different clinic where I'm advised to again visit the hospital dental department.
At the hospital after an x-ray, I'm informed the tooth is infected and dying > extraction.
Now, I'm not one of those that's squeamish about visiting the dentists.
Although that initial injection may make the eyes water or the feeling of a runny nose, after that I just chill out and let the dentist do his thing.
My regular UK dentist used to comment he wished all his patients were as placid and laid back as I was.
So the female dentist at the hospital informs me she's not qualified to extract this particular dying/dead tooth, and I'll have to wait to see the specialist dental surgeon.
I'm initially given 4 injections, but as soon as the dentist starts to wiggle and pull on the tooth, I go into meltdown mode as the pain is excruciating. A further 4 injections, and she tries again, and again I hit the roof screaming like I've never done before.
Another 4 injections and another attempt, which again has me screaming out in agony. She tells me it's loose now, so I tell her just to pull the fooker fast.
As the tooth is finally extracted, I sigh in relief, followed by a foul stench in the air and a very nasty taste in the mouth.
Underneath the tooth was a massive abscess that burst during extraction and the cause of the tooth dying, which was never previous discovered.
Onto round 3, much more recent the end of June, and one of the front tooth crowns that have sat perfectly for the last 40 years, falls off and is swallowed whilst eating.
The dentist advises I look for it, and he can then refit it, but as a temporary measure he cleans up the remaining original tooth stump and fits a temporary crown.
The following day I'm hit with a severe case of diarrhoea, so no, I make no attempt to search for the crown, electing to pay for a new one.
The dentist was going on holiday, so an appointment had been made for 15th July.
Two days after the temporary crown was fitted, the underlying tooth stub snapped off at the base of the gum. I suspect his grinding cleaning of the tooth stub had thinned the tooth that it now had no strength to support a crown.
I wait until 15th July and on inspection he informs me the remains of the broken front tooth needs to be extracted and an implant and new crown fitted ........... however he's not qualified to carry out any of the procedures.
I visited two other dentist clinics and again informed they are not qualified to carry out the procedures.
Although you inform the receptionist of the exact issue, they'll happily make an appointment, inspect, then inform you they are not qualified, but still charge you 2000 BHT for the inspection.
I now have a 3rd appointment at another clinic later today, where the reception assures me the dentist is fully qualified to do extractions, fit implants and crowns.
Quotes are circa 35K THB for an implant and crown. I'm dubious, as the appointment is just to inspect and evaluate, not actually do anything.
I wish I knew, years ago, what I now know today.
When these budding 'dentist' acquire a diploma after finishing University, they often obtain employment within hospital dental practices, but also open private clinics, or even share clinics with other dentists, to continue their training. They are barely qualified to carry out inspections, clean and polish or do basic fillings after leaving Uni.
It takes a further 10 years to qualify to carry out all dentistry procedures.
My advice, if you need any dentistry work in Thailand, is to be very specific when making an appointment what the issue is and ask beforehand if the dentist is qualified to carry out these procedures. Refuse to pay anything if they have simply wasted your time and only inspect and give advice.
Unless the dentist is circa 35 years of age, then the chances are they are limited in both knowledge and experience to carry out all dentistry procedures.
That resulted in a bridge being fitted. I chipped both front teeth jumping out of a tree as a kid, and hitting my chin on my knee, which later resulted in two crowns.
3/4 fillings and that's about it.
Thailand.
I've always attended regular 6 month check-ups at private dental clinics in Thailand.
First time I had a problem with a back tooth, I visited 3 different dentists (no x-ray facilities) before being advised to visit the dental department at the local hospital.
After inspection and an x-ray they ascertained the pulp was inflamed and a root canal treatment required.
Multiple dentists at the hospital facilities and long queues.
So the young female dentist starts drilling, and drilling, and drilling, then abruptly stops and sends me for a further x-ray.
She drilled so deep she'd actually cracked and split the 3 roots of the tooth. Extraction now the only alternative.
Over the course of time, I became suspicious of the qualifications of the dentists. Often, other than the regular check up if they suspected other treatment was required, they'd refer you to an alternative dentist. The other issue is that just when you think you've found a dentist you feel confident with, 6 months later the clinic has closed or moved to a different location.
Some time later, I start to have a problem with another back tooth, experiencing a slight discomfort and mild pain when biting down on the tooth.
3 different clinic visits, no x-ray, and they all pass it off as nothing found.
Cleaning my teeth one morning, I pull back my mouth to examine the tooth, and it's discoloured and turning black!
4th different clinic where I'm advised to again visit the hospital dental department.
At the hospital after an x-ray, I'm informed the tooth is infected and dying > extraction.
Now, I'm not one of those that's squeamish about visiting the dentists.
Although that initial injection may make the eyes water or the feeling of a runny nose, after that I just chill out and let the dentist do his thing.
My regular UK dentist used to comment he wished all his patients were as placid and laid back as I was.
So the female dentist at the hospital informs me she's not qualified to extract this particular dying/dead tooth, and I'll have to wait to see the specialist dental surgeon.
I'm initially given 4 injections, but as soon as the dentist starts to wiggle and pull on the tooth, I go into meltdown mode as the pain is excruciating. A further 4 injections, and she tries again, and again I hit the roof screaming like I've never done before.
Another 4 injections and another attempt, which again has me screaming out in agony. She tells me it's loose now, so I tell her just to pull the fooker fast.
As the tooth is finally extracted, I sigh in relief, followed by a foul stench in the air and a very nasty taste in the mouth.
Underneath the tooth was a massive abscess that burst during extraction and the cause of the tooth dying, which was never previous discovered.
Onto round 3, much more recent the end of June, and one of the front tooth crowns that have sat perfectly for the last 40 years, falls off and is swallowed whilst eating.
The dentist advises I look for it, and he can then refit it, but as a temporary measure he cleans up the remaining original tooth stump and fits a temporary crown.
The following day I'm hit with a severe case of diarrhoea, so no, I make no attempt to search for the crown, electing to pay for a new one.
The dentist was going on holiday, so an appointment had been made for 15th July.
Two days after the temporary crown was fitted, the underlying tooth stub snapped off at the base of the gum. I suspect his grinding cleaning of the tooth stub had thinned the tooth that it now had no strength to support a crown.
I wait until 15th July and on inspection he informs me the remains of the broken front tooth needs to be extracted and an implant and new crown fitted ........... however he's not qualified to carry out any of the procedures.
I visited two other dentist clinics and again informed they are not qualified to carry out the procedures.
Although you inform the receptionist of the exact issue, they'll happily make an appointment, inspect, then inform you they are not qualified, but still charge you 2000 BHT for the inspection.
I now have a 3rd appointment at another clinic later today, where the reception assures me the dentist is fully qualified to do extractions, fit implants and crowns.
Quotes are circa 35K THB for an implant and crown. I'm dubious, as the appointment is just to inspect and evaluate, not actually do anything.
I wish I knew, years ago, what I now know today.
When these budding 'dentist' acquire a diploma after finishing University, they often obtain employment within hospital dental practices, but also open private clinics, or even share clinics with other dentists, to continue their training. They are barely qualified to carry out inspections, clean and polish or do basic fillings after leaving Uni.
It takes a further 10 years to qualify to carry out all dentistry procedures.
My advice, if you need any dentistry work in Thailand, is to be very specific when making an appointment what the issue is and ask beforehand if the dentist is qualified to carry out these procedures. Refuse to pay anything if they have simply wasted your time and only inspect and give advice.
Unless the dentist is circa 35 years of age, then the chances are they are limited in both knowledge and experience to carry out all dentistry procedures.
as I've given up on dentists 
