No English. Bogus Charges. Left me with a tooth infection
⚠️ INTERNATIONAL VISITORS: PLEASE BE WARNED ⚠️
I am a travel blogger and Level 9 Google Guide. This review is based on my personal experience, including messages, recordings, and documentation.
As an international visitor who does not speak Korean, my experience at Dentique Dental Clinique in Gangnam was extremely disappointing. Despite advertising an English-speaking service, the only person I encountered who could communicate with me in English was the main dentist. For almost everything else, including treatment discussions, pricing, and communication with staff, we relied on ChatGPT translation.
I originally visited for a simple 100,000 KRW composite repair. After this, I was presented with a 5,400,000 KRW treatment plan (Almost $4000 USD) involving crowns, inlays, and possible root canals. I informed them before paying that I was leaving Korea on August 5th, and I was told that any required root canals could be completed beforehand.
During treatment, 5 crowns and 2 inlays were prepared. The appointment lasted almost 4 hours, with very limited communication. One temporary crown fell out shortly after, and when I contacted them, I was informed in writing that they do not provide aftercare for crown preparation.
I experienced severe pain for days afterwards and informed them through WhatsApp. Despite this, when I returned for the permanent crown fitting, there was no discussion about the painful tooth before treatment started. The procedures were extremely painful, and I had to repeatedly request more anaesthetic multiple times.
When I returned again on August 4th, the same issue happened: the crown was being placed without any discussion. After speaking with the dentist, I was told the tooth required a root canal.
The root canal was started, but afterwards I was asked to pay an additional 400,000 KRW before receiving the antibiotics I was prescribed. This charge had never been discussed with me beforehand, despite the possibility of root canals being mentioned in my original treatment plan. I left without the antibiotics.
My main concerns are:
- Poor/almost no communication for international patients
- Lack of clear pricing before additional treatment
- Lack of aftercare support
- Extremely painful procedures with limited/no explanation
- Being asked for additional payment before receiving prescribed medication
- No aftercare provided by the clinic (Their words, not mine)
The biggest concern is that I agreed to a treatment plan costing 5,400,000 KRW (approximately $3,791 USD), while the clinic was fully aware that I was leaving Korea on August 5th. Before payment, I informed them of my departure date and was told that I may require two root canals but that the treatment could be completed.
However, I left Korea with an incomplete treatment plan: a partially completed root canal, severe ongoing tooth pain, and no final crown placed on that tooth. In my opinion, the clinic accepted a large treatment plan despite not having enough time to complete it before my departure.
I have retained evidence of my experience and will be making a formal complaint. I would strongly recommend international visitors carefully consider whether this clinic is suitable for complex dental treatment.
As I write this review, today, they are ignoring all of my messages/conerns on WhatsApp. Zero support for my on-going pain. Zero aftercare. I gave them an opportunity to make this right. Nothing. No refunds, and my mouth is not complete. I didn't get what I paid for. In my opinion, this cannot be legal and I will challenge this.
I will be persuing a full complaint with the medical board.