Dental Stuff - Saving $ vs Saving Yourself from Massive Amounts of Pain & Suffering

LCrankyCarrot on 02/05/2017 - 09:30
Last edited 02/05/2017 - 12:05

I have some somewhat urgent dental work I need doing and my cheapness is conflicting with my desire to avoid extreme pain and dis-figuration.

I don't have health insurance as it seems like a waste of money when we have pretty decent coverage via medicare in Aus anyway, however in this case I'm not sure the free work done by the dental hospital (Sydney CBD, Surry Hills I believe) will be good enough to justify the savings.

My last 6 dental visits were all in Thailand because I was there anyway and they have a reputation of being good despite the significantly lower price tag and what you might expect health care to be like in a third world country. The exception was my most recent clean and polish which turned into a nightmare situation of agony. After that, which may or may not have been the result of one younger, incompetent surgeon with limited English skills, I was seriously reluctant to get back in the chair.

It looks like I'll need at least one or two extractions from the lower back set of teeth.

How would you, my fellow bargain hunters, handle this situation?

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • pantsparty on 02/05/2017 - 10:17
    +2

    I agree seeing the dentist is expense. A normal check up for me involves sitting in the chair for 30 minutes or so, and paying $200. I would much rather do this once a year and keep my teeth in good nick. I think you should goto a quality dentist and ask for a quote to get the work done. You cannot make a decision without knowing how much it will cost you.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/05/2017 - 10:34
    +2

    you did the ThaiBargain, and you messed up.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/05/2017 - 12:04
      +1

      he done the farang in Thailand way. probably still paying too much and not knowing which are good and bad. From a lot of experience I have never had a problem and pay thai prices. Last visit tooth out 550baht or about $22.

      • [Deactivated] on 02/05/2017 - 12:05
        -1

        how much were flights?

        • CrankyCarrot on 02/05/2017 - 12:14

          Best price on flights from Syd to Phuket with Jetstar (direct, vs Air Asia with KL stopover) is about $200-$220 each way. I never went to Thailand just for dental work, but rather was there anyway for travel/overall cheaper living/personal reasons.

          I went to Kao Rang Hill dental in Phuket Town, which is generally well regarded by both Thai and Falang alike. I just happened to get stuck with a slightly sadistic, younger recent grad with zero bedside manner and nowhere near the English skills he seemed to think he had. It's possible everything he told me was true and that I was in pain because you don't use much/any anesthetic for clean and polish jobs generally. He said something like "You need 2 extractions, some other painful sounding thing and a root canal." I said, "Oh great!" with obvious sarcasm. He replied: "No, it's not great. It's very bad," at which point I concluded he was kind of an idiot and not someone I wanted in my mouth with sharp objects.

          Yes I'm aware Thai may not be familiar with sarcasm, but there were plenty of other moments when it became apparent he was not good at his job.

          Previous general checkups thoughout the LOS in Chiang Mai and Phuket went off without a hitch.

        • [Deactivated] on 02/05/2017 - 12:17

          we try go back every year for family. flight cost change all the time as you know but a 60 day visa was free about 2 months back from the thai embassy, might be still current and a bargain in it's own right.

        • CrankyCarrot on 03/05/2017 - 08:45

          @RowdyAlpha:

          Really? They did the free visa thing to drum up tourism back in late 2010/early 2011 too. Didn't know it was back. That'll save $45 per person, unless you can do what you want in under 30 days, in which case there's a visa exemption for those from Aus arriving by plane. Indonesia/Bali have the same 30 day free-system in place now too, but it seems like airfares have spiked accordingly eliminating the saving.

          Just Googling and is seems the free visa is on 'til August. Sweet! This is why I love this forum!

          https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967777-thailand-approve…

      • Peck on 03/05/2017 - 19:18

        I got very bad treatment (A bridge) in Thailand to the extent that I lost a tooth because of it. And paid $7,000 in Aust for an implant in Aust. too replace it. I can speak enough of the language to know what is going on but impossible to know who is good and who is not!

  • wannagrababargain on 02/05/2017 - 10:37
    +4

    I get that this is a bargain hunting community but I really have to question when it becomes a lifestyle to an almost religious level. How is "Saving $" vs "pain and suffering" even a comparison? Do you have the cash? Get it done. Do you not have the cash? Get it done on credit card and pay it off later. If you do nothing it will get worse and you'll have to pay even more for more extensive work later.

    What makes you think the dental hospital can't handle a possible extraction? Is it a complicated extraction (wisdom teeth?) How can you even be sure an extraction is required if you haven't seen a dentist? A lot of the time when peple fear the worst at the dentist, the problem and fix is not as horrific as imagined.

    • outlander on 02/05/2017 - 10:45

      Welcome to life, where your choices are between pain and worse pain. Sometimes you have to suffer short term pain to avoid long term pain.

      • CrankyCarrot on 02/05/2017 - 12:16

        Yep. I know. I can still shoot for the best value for the little money I can stir up for this. A problem shared is a problem halved.

  • oswade on 02/05/2017 - 11:12

    I went to a pretty good dentist in Vietnam a few times (but for basic stuff only) - in Ho Chi Minh.

    Even for a checkup and clean they spent about 30 mins vs 10 mins here in Aus. And the price was pennies.

    • CrankyCarrot on 02/05/2017 - 12:18

      Thailand and I guess peripheral SE Asian countries do have a good rep for offering top notch medical care for a fraction of the price. I may end up sucking up the pain until I'm next there in month or two if I can convince myself I'll save thousands and get decent care. Other expats have said they'd go to one of the International Hospitals in Phuket or wherever while in Thailand for serious dental stuff, while the private clinics are fine for simple checkups.

    • davide14 on 03/05/2017 - 13:05

      I had some major dental work done in Ho Chi Minh (Nhan Tam Dental Clinic) and the level of care, end result, and cost was excellent.

  • tsunamisurfer on 02/05/2017 - 11:27
    +2

    Can I see if I got this right? the OP went to Thailand 6 times and the dental procedures were….Clean and Scales?

    • CrankyCarrot on 02/05/2017 - 12:20
      +2

      Was there anyway. Did not travelling 7000km to save 80 bucks on a routine checkup :(=)

  • EightImmortals on 02/05/2017 - 11:30
    +4

    Being a well-seasoned dental customer my life's experience in these matters tells me you should cough up the money and get the job done locally and properly. Have never had much luck with public dental (even if you can handle the waiting list). Rather than get teeth removed I would do everything possible to hang on to them, they'll come in handy later. If you have to get root canals or caps then just do it.

    Also, give up soft drink, seriously if you care about your teeth that is. We gave it up 4-5 years ago and nobody in our family has had a filling since then (a minor miracle in or case). Also look into oil pulling with coconut oil for gum and tooth health.

    • CrankyCarrot on 02/05/2017 - 12:21

      I'm too hooked on Pepsi Max to do this. Especially since they brought out the vanilla variety and Coles sold em in bulk for what works out to 40c per.

      Also a big fan of energy drinks but hey, at least I don't smoke.

      • WT on 03/05/2017 - 10:57

        rinse your mouth out with water after a swig. The acid and sugar can linger.

        • CrankyCarrot on 03/05/2017 - 11:15

          Sounds like a good idea. I'll start doing that. I do tend to drink a lot of water anyway.

  • Baysew on 02/05/2017 - 11:53

    A true Ozbargineer would DIY

  • Love a bargain on 02/05/2017 - 14:13
    +2

    Don't think it's that easy to get onto the waiting list at the dental hospital even if you want to.

    • CrankyCarrot on 03/05/2017 - 08:59

      I'll investigate this further. Even I would rather cough up dough than blood and go for a pro over a trainee.

  • niknah on 02/05/2017 - 14:43

    You can try a dental school for free treatment…
    https://www.dhsv.org.au/public-dental-services/free-care-by-…

    • Love a bargain on 02/05/2017 - 15:20

      If you need general or emergency dental care and hold a valid Health care or Pensioner Concession Card you may be able to obtain treatment at a teaching clinic.

      Please be aware that not all patients are suitable for treatment by a student and a screening appointment will be required for adults.

      Not everyone is eligible & will be offered treatment even if they are willing to be a guinea pig.

      PS. OP is in Sydney & the link is for Victoria anyway

  • teardrops21 on 02/05/2017 - 18:55

    OP you mention that you have had good treatment in your last visits, but now think you need one or two extractions. If you did have good treatment you would be needing extractions now! Unless of course you're brushing your teeth with Mars bars, flossing with liquorice and rinsing with coke!

    • pandabun on 03/05/2017 - 07:24
      +1

      Think you meant "wouldn't"

      If you did have good treatment you would be needing extractions now!

      • CrankyCarrot on 03/05/2017 - 08:56

        Ha! Yeah. Every other treatment was a simple scale and polish and they typically went off without a hitch, ie not that much pain and they gave me the all clear. EXCEPT for this one sideways tooth, the one next to the molar I think (had all 4 molars out about 20 years ago) that dentists have been telling me forever I'll have to remove "one day." Since that was causing pain until now, I did what any semi responsible person would do and just ignored and put it off.

        It did occur to me that maybe the dentist I'd seen previously, a Thai transgendered individual named Bia, amusingly, might have failed to mention impending problems. This is why I need a 2nd opinion (I already have an xray from the sa-d(ent)ist). It would be good if I can get an idea of what I'm in for surgically from a qualified Australian professional before moving ahead.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/05/2017 - 08:24

    If you want to "save", actually pay up and go to a dentist you can trust. Get it done quickly. That's the best way to "save" yourself pain and dental bills later

  • [Deactivated] on 03/05/2017 - 08:30

    Tbh the best dentist I've had has been in a community health center. She actually listened to me and had a proper look. Most dentists (even the ones I've paid huge bucks to) have been trigger happy, immediately going for the wisdom teeth. It's like an obsession or something. Both sides of my family have had wisdom teeth that behaved, so never needed to come out. I think it must be easier and make them more money if they just take the teeth out, rather than having a proper look.

    • CrankyCarrot on 03/05/2017 - 08:58
      +1

      This is what I'm concerned about. Even local pros can't be fully trusted. As usual I turn to anonymous strangers and their anecdotal evidence online in concert with a bunch of other info Googled up, then look for the consensus and go with my gut on a final decision.

  • Peck on 03/05/2017 - 19:22

    Dental Hospitals in Australia are 'Butchers' and I have that on the advice of a dentist who used to teach at one. Have a consultation with a 'real' Australian dentist, there is a chance that your teeth could be saved. When it comes to your teeth, forget about trying to do it 'on the cheap'!

    • CrankyCarrot on 05/05/2017 - 22:42

      When you say a "real" dentist, you mean at any private clinic? As opposed to dental hospitals like Sydney Dental Hospital at Central/Elizabeth St (my closest), right? I haven't had dealings with them ever but as I understand it they are kind of like a Medicare funded thing if you have a concession card or just in general, and sometimes you get students operating/practicing on you.

      I saw someone in a private clinic this afternoon who offered a comprehensive checkup (sans the xray, which I already have from the Thai visitand just need someone local to interpret and clarify/confirm the meaning of) for $75. This sounds ok, but I would still check that price against a couple of similar clinics before committing to anything.

      • Peck on 05/05/2017 - 23:27

        Yep. And unfortunately dentists can charge whatever they like (Unregulated pricing). Better chance of getting a good dentist who is in private practice.

        • CrankyCarrot on 06/05/2017 - 00:00

          I will continue to shop around for the best price/quality balance I can afford.

        • Peck on 06/05/2017 - 11:04

          @crankycarrot: Go to MY ACCOUNT, then SETTINGS, then click on ALLOW PRIVATE MESSAGING.

        • CrankyCarrot on 06/05/2017 - 18:26

          @Peck: Err, okay. I'm new to posting here.

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