koalakim

Hi

I'm currently living in Melbourne, have had tooth pain recently and diagnosed with needing a root canal and crown done. Flippin expensive here even with dental plan. Someone suggested Thailand but also see that Singapore offers good dental fees. I have friends I could stay whilst being treated so might be an option.

Has anyone got a rough idea of how much the root canal treatment and a crown would cost in Singapore?

Thanks
Kim

Cheetah7

When I was on holiday in Thailand, I spoke to this Aussie woman who said loads of Aussies come to either Thailand or Singapore for their dental treatment.

She told me that its cheaper with the flight and the treatment rather than getting it done in Brisbane where she left.

Scary thought that you have to fly abroad to get affordable treatment.

Kooky.

They vary enormously, koalakim.

If you go to a neighbourhood dentist, they're pretty cheap. Sorry I don't have details - but a lot of them are UK or Oz educated, if that makes a difference to you.

If you go to a glitzy "expat" dentist like I initially did, you can pay S$3k (about A$2.3k?) for a crown with root canal work. That hurt as much as the work itself.

I then found a really good guy that does a lot of corporate work (which is how we found him) and had 16 crowns done for under S$8k (A$6.3k). His surgery is flash, he's UK educated, and I'd say he's mid-range. You can see some cost info on his website: http://www.drstevenang.com/pricelist.html which is also handy because it has Ministry of Health guide prices on it.

Kooky.

PS: A lot of people go from Sg to Thailand for their eyes lasering, teeth doing and cosmetic surgery. Personally, I'd rather be close to home in case anything goes wrong.

koalakim

Hi

Thanks Seasider! I came across that chap on another ex-pat forum so he must be popular.

That is the one thing that bothers me, if something goes wrong! Also I've heard from various people that it can take quite a while to get all the treatment done depending on the state of the tooth involved.

If this was happening in about 5 months time I think it would be more of an option as will be passing through Sing on way back to UK. I could get some done of the way out and the rest on the way back, but a bit worried about leaving it that long.

If anyone reading this is coming out to Oz then make sure you have a full check up and work done before leaving!

Kim

Kooky.

Maybe that was me, I'm on so many forums! A lot of my girlfriends are going to Dr Ang now 'cos he's so kind and caring.

You would need a few appointments for root canal and crown work, I'm afraid, and it does take time for the lab to make the permanent crowns. Trying to think back a few years to my major work - I'm sure it was done over a couple of weeks, including one day when I spent the full day there for prep Vanity, eh?

You're scaring me, actually - just how expensive is dental work in Oz? We're thinking of moving on and my mouthful of ceramic does require occasional maintenance. If it's worth flying to Asia for it, it must be bloody expensive.

koalakim

Hi Seasider

I've been quoted A$3k for the work inc 4 fillings which have somehow appeared over the last year!

Trouble is if I was still back in good old Blighty, I still had an NHS dentist and it would be costing me a few hundred quid at the most. Just bad timing as haven't been in Oz a year yet.

Dental work is expensive out here, my quote includes a discount from a dental plan as well. Even if you have private health insurance they will only pay a few hundred dollars towards dental.

If you move to Oz but still need to go back to Singapore from time to time then I would get your maintenance done there.

How long have you been in Singapore? We love the place and always try and squeeze in a trip wherever possible.

Kim

Kooky.

Thanks, Kim.

We've been in Singapore just under 6 years. It was a happy accident really - we decided to move to Sydney after visiting my best friend there (and getting married there on the quiet!) and we had points coming out of our ears but, at the time, the IT industry was in a mess. We looked for alternatives - basically warm and English-speaking - where my husband could work in his specialist field, and up popped a perfect job in Singapore.

3 jobs, 3 cats, and PR on, we're still here and do class it as home, but there's an opportunity in Sydney that we're seriously considering. We have quite a few friends there (some of whom we met in Singapore, which is a very transient place) and I think we'd settle ok.

I'm desperate for a firm decision as there is much to organise. Last time we came pretty much with suitcases; this time we have a house full of furniture and our 3 kits to move, so expect me to be posting lots of newbie questions in the Oz forums.

Healthcare is an issue for me, as I have a few things related to an autoimmune disorder, including an underactive thyroid. I presently manage them in an "alternative" manner, i.e., diet and supplements, not meds, and want to keep it that way. Most of my healthcare is not covered by our current insurance as it's considered too whack-job (even an osteopath!) and it costs me a fortune so I'm hoping to find it's different in Australia. If not, at least I think supplements are cheaper there. Anyway, sorry - wrong forum for all that wittering. I've got a foot in two continents at the moment, getting confused.

Good luck with your dental work. I know you said you have friends here but, if you do stopover, drop me a note and I'll gladly advise you on places to go, see, eat, etc., off the beaten track. Most visitors don't see the real Singapore; it has an interesting, seedy side. I see it daily; I live in the red-light district.

koalakim

Hi Seasider

I think more and more people seem to be staying in Singapore longer these days. My friends have been there about 10 years now and they love it. One guy I know moved back to Europe but ended up back in Singapore again.

We would love to do a stint there at some point even if it was only to spend a couple of months there. We've been going for about 17 years now so know it pretty well but would love to spend longer there to explore properly, as you say there is so much the tourist doesn't see.

There are lots of natropathic therapists out here, in fact I know a great lady in Sydney so if you do move then let me know. Supplements are certainly a lot more expensive here than in the UK. There are some health plans here that do cover alternative medicine - I'm one for trying that first although not sure if it can clear up an abscess!

If you need an Aussie advice then certainly drop me a PM, we may even consider moving over to Sydney from Mel in a year or so.

I think I'll probably end up having the dental work done here but try and find a cheaper dentist apparently the ones out of the city areas are better price wise.

Good luck with a hard decision to make - let us know how you get on.

Kim

koalakim

Hi

This is a note for Seasider!

Thanks very much for recommending Steven Ang as I did end up going to him to get a crown done.

I had to have the root canal done in Oz as it was getting too painful. My UK NHS dentist said they would do the crown but they were so full they could only give me an appointment for after I was due to leave!

So, I tried Dr Ang and he was lovely! Did a great job and at half the price of a UK private dentist. He also squeezed in a couple of fillings that needed doing at the same time.

I had the impression done on the way to the UK and the crown fitted on the way back to Oz. All in all a great job and I might even going and see him next time just for a check-up.

Hope you are settling into Sydney okay!

Kim

Kooky.

Hello Kim Shocked to see this thread update notification after so long! Glad to hear Dr Ang came up trumps for you. Might have to book in myself for a check-up when we pass through Sg in September.

We've settled into Sydney pretty easily, really. I guess we had a head start, having friends here and having visited a few times, plus it was a company move. We were just chatting and having a bit of a review today - we've clocked up three months already I miss some aspects of living in Asia but I do like having my husband home most nights, and was relieved to hear today that he likes being home most nights, too.