Dentist

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papillon

Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by papillon »

A couple of years ago I tripped on some steps in Chiang Mai, fell flat on my face and destroyed five or six teeth in my upper jaw. The dentist used by my hosts provided a perfectly serviceable plate within 24 hours. However, having read on a forum a recommendation of Dr Nan I visited him when I got back to Pattaya for the rest off my holiday. He spent 50 minutes examining me and explaining all the possible procedures, warning of me of pitfalls, such as the fact that any solution involving implants might not work, given my age. He was absolutely charming and most anxious that I should not make any immediate decisions, since most would involve returning to Thailand at very regular intervals between the various stages of treatment. Everything he told me was borne out by my own dentist when I returned to the UK. I was very grateful to him and thanked him warmly for his advice.

Unfortunately I ruined the whole thing by falling, I suspect, into one of those cross-cultural traps that, as a foreigner in Thailand, I knew nothing about. I went downstairs to pay the bill and was told by the receptionist it was 100 baht. I felt this was quite unacceptable, climbed the stairs again, and begged him to let me pay him a proper amount for his time and the advice he had given me. My intentions were of the very best, but I saw immediately that I had insulted him. His face darkened and fell and he just about got out the words, 'My receptionist will tell you the fee'. I fled downstairs again, during which time I heard the receptionist's phone ring, only to be told that the doctor says 100 baht.

As a general rule of life I would say one has to learn to accept other people's generosities, but in this case I was hugely embarrassed and forgot to work on my own best principles. I would be interested to hear from anybody who knows Thai culture better than I do whether I did, in fact, by Thai standards, commit a terrible faux-pas, or whether Dr. Fan was being a little over-sensitive.

I'd never hesitate to go back to him, if the need arises - and he's cute, too!
papillon

Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by papillon »

Peter, thank you. The truth of the matter has been niggling me, despite the passing of time, and it does me no harm to have to face it. I'd have said that 'Dr Fan' was a typing error; but as I do know the Thai word I'd guess it was buzzing associatively in the back of my mind. Anyway, it wasn't a bad joke, you'll be pleased to hear!
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Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by Gaybutton »

For those of you on "The Dark Side," another dentist I really like is Dr. Napaporn who has her own clinic right next door to the Nana Deli on Soi Khao Noi. Today was the second time I've been to her. Her English is excellent.

This morning I woke up with one of the most severe toothaches I've ever had in my life. I wouldn't call what I was going through 'severe pain.' I'm not exaggerating when I call it 'extreme pain.' Fortunately for me, her clinic is less than two minutes from where I live. She took me immediately. She said I have an abscess, but I'm not going to have to lose the tooth and I won't need root canal. She said the problem is periodontal. She said the pain is being caused by pressure and she is going to do a procedure to remove the abscess sac and drain the affected area. She said even with the procedure, I'm still going to be in pain for several hours. There is nothing that can be done to provide instant relief, but by mid afternoon it should start to subside.

She did the procedure and she was right. The pain was reduced, but still quite severe. The procedure took about thirty minutes to complete. She gave me antibiotics and a pain killer. The pain killer kicked in and started reducing the pain in about twenty minutes. It was still quite painful, but tolerable.

By mid afternoon the pain was significantly reduced. By dinner time the pain was almost completely gone.

Her fee, including the examination, procedure, anesthetic, and prescriptions - 780 baht total. Incredible!

If you're on "The Dark Side" and need a dentist, I certainly highly recommend Dr. Napaporn.
The name of her clinic is Thirata Dental Clinic.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 038 186 260

GPS coordinates are: N 12° 55' 22", E 100° 54' 41"
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Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by 2lz2p »

My sympathies as I once had the experience of an abscess - and yes, GB is not exaggerating about the pain.
bobsaigon

Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by bobsaigon »

Dr. Nan is said to be an EXTREMELY good dentist. However, after you have told him of your problem, it's best not to say anything more aside from answering any questions he might ask. Apparently the good doctor sees no reason to try to improve his "people skills".
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Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by Gaybutton »

bobsaigon wrote:Apparently the good doctor sees no reason to try to improve his "people skills".
It's too bad Dr. Nan is like that. Bedside manner can be just as important as the skill of the doctor. However, keeping that in mind, if I were to go to Dr. Nan, my major concern would be the results. I can live without the good bedside manner if need be. I've never been to Dr. Nan, but based on what people are posting I wouldn't be looking for anything more than results.

Still, while Dr. Nan might be an excellent dentist, there are also other excellent dentists. I would go to Dr. Nan mainly if he has access to equipment other dentists don't have if it is needed or if I have a particularly complicated dental problem. Other than that, my personal preference would be to stick to Modern Smile and/or Dr. Napaporn.

Again, this is where those of you familiar with other areas could be very helpful. We're busy talking about dentists in Pattaya. Doesn't anybody have recommendations, for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and other cities and areas in Thailand. For example, I know Chiang Mai has a fully equipped dental hospital. I know we have board members from Chiang Mai. I don't know why no one from Chiang Mai posted about it. Often, people say this board is always "Pattayacentric." If people don't post about other areas, then how can it be anything else?
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Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by lvdkeyes »

bobsaigon wrote:Apparently the good doctor sees no reason to try to improve his "people skills".
My bf won't go back to Dr. Nan because he says he is extremely rude to his staff and it made him feel uncomfortable.
loke

Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by loke »

Where can I have done my root canal ? I am afraid of dentists , 6 years ago last check . Can you recommend someone with modern equipment ?
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Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by Gaybutton »

loke wrote:Can you recommend someone with modern equipment ?
All the dentists in town have modern equipment. Many recommend Dr. Nan at Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital. I also recommend Modern Smile: http://www.modernsmiledental.com . But root canal is something just about any dentist can do. I've gone through it a couple times. I had it done at Modern Smile. For me, it was painless.
loke

Re: Dentist Recommendations

Post by loke »

Thank you for recommendations. I will check it out after I have moved and things calms down a little , just thinking about a dentist gives me a lot of stress.
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