Dentist

[phenyl]

Hi all,

Yesterday, I went to the dentist (here in Japan) for my checkup. (It's been a bit longer than a year that I am here now. At my last visit in Switzerland everything was ok...)
The first visit was (always) free...
He found a (probable) cavity and told me to schedule a next visit to come in for an X-Ray.

I searched a bit on here and it seems to be MO to call up people for several visits for getting something done. There's one thing I am not completely sure about though.
At a normal hospital or doctor, I have to pay 30 or 35 percent of the cost. How will it be at the dentist? How much is covered?
How much will the X-Ray be? (and a possible cavity-filling if needed?)
Thanks for any information.

Seems I have to ask my mother to send me some fluorinated toothpaste as I brush regularly...

[japanat]

Expect to pay from 600-3500 yen each time, depending on x-rays, etc. They try to limit your visit to 15-30min, because that's all the insurance co. will pay them for per visit. Right now, the national insurance plans cover dental at 80/20

[erbiumfiber]

I would have to be in severe pain before I would go to a dentist in Japan. I don't have time to come back for 4 appointments to get an x-ray and my teeth cleaned.

I use an ultrasonic tooth brush and good American toothpaste (no way anyone should use a toothpaste called "gum"- implies you have no teeth left, only gums...). So far, I'm doing fine (I think).

And if I needed anything serious done, I would definitely consider a "medical vacation" to the U.S...

[phenyl]

Thank you very much for the information, this is very helpful. Back home, regular insurance didn't even cover dental, that was some extra insurance. So I was afraid, I'd have to take several 10 k Yen with me as I didn't know that the national insurance covers 80 percent..
So next time they'll do the x-ray, then the drilling then the filling a month later ;-/ ;-) I still hope, that it's false alarm though ...

[ミュー]

Do not let them have you come back for another checkup. Dentistry in Japan is like Chiropractic in America: a total racket. Get the job done as quickly as possible, just tell the doc you're extremely busy and have to have something done immediately.

[mikem]

Seems I have to ask my mother to send me some fluorinated toothpaste as I brush regularly...

Or you could just buy some at the store. At lot faster and cheaper.

[japanat]

Aquafresh and Colgate are available, not to mention some Japanese brands with flouride. Just read the labels, or ask someone to go with you who can. Ask your dentist, he should have a flouride rinse you could buy.

And the quality of dentistry really varies. The first one I went to was pretty scary, he didn't even use Novacaine. Now, most dentists here don't for minor work that doesn't reach the dentin, but he was giving me a root canal!

My current dentist specializes in implants and orthodontry, and heads overseas 2X/year for additional training. He's well-known among the foreigners in my area - he also speaks English well, which is a definite bonus when having medical/dental work done.