San Francisco Dental Clinic in Seomyeon

THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT. I POST THIS FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION.

Earlier this week, I visited a dentist in my local area, in Hadan. I told the dentist that I flossed too hard in the back and it made my gum swollen and painful. I expected he might be able to give me a decent pain killer or something for the swelling. However, his solution was to remove my wisdom teeth. I protested and explained over and over again that it has nothing to do with my teeth, but he didn't want to hear that. I swear, he couldn't be any older than 30 years old.

Anyways, I was very startled, and I saw the ad for the English speaking dentist here on the Pusanweb site. I decided to give him a go. I made the appointment two days ahead and when I got there, everything was absolutly great.

He explained how the previous dentist might not have made the best conclusion and that my teeth are fine. He also did teeth cleaning for the same price as other clinics. The staff all had some proficiency in English and I was very happy with that. From the receptionist to the hygenist to the dentist. They all were very easy to understand and didn't make any kind of big deal about me being white or speaking English. If anything, they gave a genuine smile and treated me like a human, instead of a carnival freak. Nobody giggled at me, nobody looked at me funny, and every person I passed gave a very polite and warm "Hello."

I will return to his clinic next week for some fillings, because he found two spots that need it, and not only did he find them, he took pictures and explained EVERYTHING.

I feel very fortunate to have gone there and I am VERY satisfied with his work and the work of the others. He was even more accomidating than the dentist I use in th states.

Of course, I won't be paid for this and I doubt Dr. Seo will read this, but I strongly recommend that you see him, if you live in or near Busan, and you want expert level help from someone who can explain what is going on.

The previous dentist in Hadan took just over 2.5 hours. I had to wait in the waiting room for one hour, in the seat for one hour, and it took almost half an hour for the dentist to get enough courage to speak to me. He was blushing the whole time and kept giggling at his English, along with his follower.

At San Francisco Dental Clinic, I entered at 6:20 and left just a couple minutes after 7pm. That includes meeting the receptionist and filling out the paperwork, the waiting time to get a seat, the "nurse" who first looked over my teeth and asked a few basic questions, the wait time to see the dentist, talking with the dentist and talking about my teeth and what I want done and what I want done the following week, and my teeth cleaning. About 40 minutes for all of that.

If you need dental work and you go alone, please give Dr. Seo a try. I really can't say I mind the 30 min subway ride from Hadan to see him because he will explain everything and he treats me with respect. I really appreciated my visit and I definatly can say that I look forward to my return.

You can find the ads for his place on this website or you can just go to the link:  http://sfdental.co.kr/shop_main/main_body.htm

Sorry guys if I sound too preachy, but had I seen a review of his site before that was impartial, I would have called his clinic first. Thanks all for your time.

gilbert.a.h

I have to say that I had a

I have to say that I had a completely opposite experience with them. I came in with the intention to get Invisalign and a teeth cleaning. The main dentist, the guy who went to UCLA and let me know that imediately after meeting him, does NOT speak English very well. He couldn't even tell me that may teeth were moving forward, instead he kept repeating, "Your teeth vector, your teeth vector" and then had to draw me a picture, because I didn't understand.

After getting molds done, we talked about the cost. I asked him what my overall total would be and he wrote down the price for me.  I inquired if I could pay it in monthly installments or something similar to that. He said that I could and told me what the monthly cost would be. I asked him twice more throughout the process if that number was the TOTAL of everything, and he replied "Yes, yes."

I returned a week later to get a teeth cleaning and  a second mold done. He said the first mold  wasn't good enough and they needed to make another one. They charged me for the second mold as well. Anyway, at the end of everything I sat down with some lady, I think she's in charge of consultations and the business end of the place, she showed me a price that was double of what the dentist showed me. I told her that this wasn't what the dentist told me, and she said as a matter-of-factly, "Yes it is." We went back and fourth about the price and she even huffed in annoyance at me when she went to get the dentist. Basically the dentist said that the price he gave me was just the total of the Invisalign and not the labor involved. I asked THREE times, "Is this the total for EVERYTHING?" and he always replied, "Yes." 

The teacher I replaced at my school even had problems with them. They ordered the wrong braces for her and expected her to pay for them anyways. I knew I should've taken that as a clue not to go there, but I wanted to speak with someone who spoke English since things like this can get complicated. Even my co-teacher told me not to go there, but I didn't know of any other alternatives. 

Also, I don't know what you're talking about, but their teeth cleanings sucked. My husband and I got teeth cleanings together when I went there. They took pictures and showed me small dark lines on the back of my front teeth. It took about 15 minutes for them to finish cleaning my teeth. About a week later, the lines were back when I looked with a small mirror (I brush my teeth no less than two times a day too.) Back in the states they would spend an hour cleaning, scrapping and brushing my teeth. It always hurt and I hated going to the dentist, but at least my teeth were actually clean. 

My husband also lost a filling a while back and the dentist never once commented about it or even noticed it. A giant hole inside a molar is hard to miss. My husband needed his wisdom teeth extracted as well and the lady said that they only do wisdom teeth extractions in the mornings. Since we work in the morning, I told her any Saturday morning would be great. She simply shook her head and said "No, sorry only weekdays." They basically won't do it in the evenings because it's not profitable enough.


I know people on here have had good experiences with them, but just be aware that they do NOT speak perfect English and if you want something other than a teeth cleaning, then be cautious. I found that going to a local dentist is cheaper and that their English is just as good as San Fransisco Dental. 

Re:San Francisco Dental Clinic in Seomyeon

RESPONDED BY SF DENTAL CLINIC

We are sorry your experience wasn't as positive as our other patients unfortunately. However, we do appreciate your feedback. We do not discuss specifics of our patient on a public forum as we respect our patient's privacy. However, if you wish to discuss this further privately, we would be glad to.

To address some of the general comments you made:

·         * While the English ability of our staff may not be perfect, we do our best to communicate accurately with our foreign patients and to make certain that there is a common understanding of services to be provided, and related costs, before any work is performed.

 ·         * When teeth move forward it is generally assumed that the causality is the growth of wisdom teeth. This is not necessarily the case, as some people never develop wisdom teeth and others experience tooth movement after wisdom teeth have reached their full development. Each situation is as different as an individual’s bite; and natural changes in molar and premolar interplay.

 ·       *   Our restricted scheduling of wisdom teeth extractions to weekday mornings is a precaution for the patient’s benefit should any follow-up treatment for pain or bleeding be required.  The availability of personnel, medication and immediate treatment is most assured during our standard hours and office schedule.

 ·         * Our clinic utilizes the latest technology and techniques to perform all patient treatment procedures, including teeth cleaning, to minimize pain and duration of the treatment. Our patients love them because they are very effective.

 

We hope our responses cleared some of your concern.

Re: Re:San Francisco Dental Clinic in Seomyeon

 

Seongn,

Sorry that didn't really clear up anything for me. You basically didn't address anything that I said and I guess that just proved the point that your dental clinic doesn't really listen. The dentist I saw didn't know what the words "forward" and "total" ment. He didn't have the ability to tell me that my teeth moved forward, instead he just repeated "Vector! Vector!" and he also had no concept of what a total amount is. I was using very simple English. I didn't expect wonderful English, but for a place to advertise as being bilingual you sure did a bad job at it. My students could've explained things better to me. The lady that handled my payments was rude and and kept insiting on handing me calendars and books of scenery pictures the dentist took during his trip in the states. The dentist had a very know-it-all attitude and turned into a yes man every time I asked a question.

"While the English ability of our staff may not be perfect, we do our best to communicate accurately with our foreign patients and to make certain that there is a common understanding of services to be provided, and related costs, before any work is performed."

The dentist told me the TOTAL price, we agreed to only that price, and then they told me I had to pay over one million won more for monthly visits. The point to a TOTAL price is that it includes EVERYTHING.

"Our clinic utilizes the latest technology and techniques to perform all patient treatment procedures, including teeth cleaning, to minimize pain and duration of the treatment. Our patients love them because they are very effective."

That may be true, but the teeth cleaning sucked. Would you like to look at my teeth yourself? The lines on the back of my teeth, that the dentist said shouldn't be there, came back within a week of your "latest technology" teeth cleaning. 

"When teeth move forward it is generally assumed that the causality is the growth of wisdom teeth. This is not necessarily the case, as some people never develop wisdom teeth and others experience tooth movement after wisdom teeth have reached their full development. Each situation is as different as an individual’s bite; and natural changes in molar and premolar interplay."

What does any of this have to do with my post?

I'm sure people have great experiences, but just be warned that you could have a bad experience like I did. Save yourself the hassle and just go somewhere else. The place is expensive and they don't explain much to you unless you're asking a yes or no question.

Re: Re:San Francisco Dental Clinic in Seomyeon

Fabulous,

Please don't tell lies.  Some of the staff may have limited English abilities, but the dentist speaks very good English.  And as for a cleaning, the girl they had cleaned my teeth did an outstanding job and I am certainly going back there again, as I have been doing for the past few years.  It's people like you who complain that give other foreigners a bad name.  You know what?  There's a saying that many rednecks used to say back home, in fact, it's become their dictum when people protest what is wrong with the U.S.  (And boy, did they love to say it to non-whites):  "Love it or leave it."  I suggest you follow the advice of your brethren.  

Re: San Francisco Dental Clinic in Seomyeon

To all, 

If you are looking for a good dental clinic, San Francisco is the one. Doctor Seo and his staff are very kind. The doctor speaks pretty good English so he can  explain everything you need to know. Also, his clinic has a very nice waiting area. This place is very comfortable and the prices are affordable. On top of that, they let you know what you have to get done and  they make sure that you completely understand how much you are going to spend to avoid confusion. I had my teeth ground down (upper and bottom front teeth), reshaped,  filled and pulled together with composite bonding for an amazing price.  I am very happy with the whole experience! 


Cheers!

Mariel

Re: San Francisco Dental Clinic in Seomyeon

i still say go to baek hospital. the guy speaks great english, is western trained and is on salary so there is no doing work you do not need done. he fixed my one tooth without even freezing it after two other dentists put me through hell just trying to freeze it. and he merely filled in another cavity after both the other ones said i needed a cap. he saved me a fortune.

there are many good one out there to be sure but the guy at baek hospital in jangsan is great. and do not think because it is a big hospital it will cost you a fortune; my cap and root canal cost me the same as the other places were charging. definately good! good luck to all.

Re: San Francisco Dental Clinic in Seomyeon

Well, I have to say that my experience was good with them.  I went to a dentist called Han Ji Gwa and, not only did they overcharge me and my wife, but this doctor Seo had to do everything over again.  He showed me the photos of the cavities and all the expensive work the other dentist did not do well.  

People say that S.F. Dentistry is expensive, but he was cheaper than that dentist who did poor work.  I've had bad experiences with dentists all of my life, mostly when I was young.  One dentist was even reported on "60 Minutes."  That's how bad I've had them.  Trust me, I rather pay for quality work than pay for unqualified people who do work that later has to be redone.

I have gone to S.F. Dental Clinic and I am happy with Mr. Seo.  He speaks very good English.  I have gone in there several times for checkups and he has not taken advantage of me in anyway.  I am sure there are good dentists out there, and if you find one, then good for you.  But I will say that S.F. Dental Clinic is a good place if you are looking for one.  He's well-trained and the facilities are modern.   I go to him all the time for checkups.  The staff there are awesome too.  I recommend them and so far have good things to say about them.