Phuket is a perfect destination for dental tourism.
You can live in one of the most famous places in Thailand, full of beautiful beaches and modern facilities, while getting your dental treatment at the same time.
Although it’s a small island, you can find many skilled dentists in Phuket offering great quality at a fraction of the price you would pay back home. Additionally, most, if not all, dentists in Phuket speak English well.
In this article, you will learn about what you can expect from dentists in Phuket, including their expertise, how much they charge, what you need to do, and which clinic you should go to.
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Contents
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Quality of Dental Clinics in Phuket
Phuket is known as a popular destination for dental tourism for many reasons:
- You can easily find English-speaking dentists everywhere.
- You can expect excellent treatment in modern facilities.
- You can save thousands of dollars on expensive treatments like dental implants.
- You can enjoy the prestigious beaches, nightlife, food, culture, and more in Phuket while you’re here.
And it’s also the same for dental tourism. In fact, thousands of Australians fly to Thailand each year for dental tourism. Comparing treatments like dental implants, they can save thousands of AUD, while having the chance to explore Thailand at the same time.
While you can’t find a big dental clinic like Bangkok, there are a lot of dental clinics available – from premium, name brand clinics to private, specialist clinics that provide the same level of treatment.
What’s more, some of these clinics are JCI accredited, a certification given to those institutions who adhere to quality care and equipment standards.
In other words, good dental centers are plentiful in Phuket, and there’s a good chance that you’ll find one in your local area no matter where you’re staying.
Dentists Qualification
While Phuket doesn’t have a dental school like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, most dentists here have still graduated from leading dental schools in Thailand.
You can also find several practicing dentists who earned their degrees overseas and have returned to set up practices in Thailand.
This means the qualifications of the dentists you find in Phuket are comparable to those in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
In addition, Phuket also has an array of orthodontists, oral surgeons, aesthetic dentists, periodontists, prosthodontists, and implantologists at your service. For reference, here’s what each of these specializations mean:
- Aesthetic dentists – specialize in crowns, teeth whitening, and veneers.
- Endodontists – specialize in root canal
- Implantologists – specialize in teeth implants
- Oral surgeons – specialize in oral surgery
- Orthodontists – specialize in braces, retainers
- Periodontists – specialize in periodontal disease and oral inflammation
- Prosthodontists – specialize in tooth replacement.
Facilities
Like other cities in Thailand, dental clinics in Phuket are equipped with modern equipment that is employed in general and restorative dentistry, like dental implants.
Some of the higher-end facilities in Phuket also use digitized Panoramic and Celplometric X-rays — which is new technology that helps with quicker diagnosis and treatment planning while reducing radiation exposure.
Most clinics in Phuket are well equipped with the basic treatment facilities and have at least two treatment rooms.
However, some of the bigger centers like the Phuket Dental Signature clinic host a 3-storey modern dental center that has its own digitized x-ray center and 12 treatment rooms.
Price
One of the reasons Thailand has a heavy influx of medical tourists is due to its prices. It gives expats and tourists a real chance to save money – especially when their home counties charge hefty fees.
This is also the case with dental services in Phuket as well.
Let’s take for instance Phuket Dental Signature, one of the more premier dental clinics in Patong, Phuket. While first-time consultancy is free, a regular teeth whitening procedure may cost you around US$300.
For comparison, the same procedure may start from £400 (US$520) in the UK, cost an average of AUD800 (US$ 580) in Australia, and may go as high as US$700 in America.
Here’s a list of the average price for popular treatments in Phuket. It’s comparable to Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
| Procedure | Price (THB) | Price (US$) |
| Tooth Extraction | THB1,500 | US$40.5 |
| Zoom Tooth Whitening | THB8,900 | US$240.3 |
| Composite Veneer | THB6,000 | US$162 |
| Standard Crown | THB10,000 | US$270 |
| Root Canal | THB10,000 | US$270 |
| Dental Implant (PI Branemark) | THB50,000 | US$1,350 |
| All-on-4 Implants (SIC) | THB300,000 | US$8,100 |
Please note: These are estimated prices that you may find in Phuket clinics for simple procedures with the standard treatment plans. As the treatment gets more complex, the prices are subjected to change.
Best Dental Clinics in Phuket
In this section, you will be able to find some more information on some of the best dental clinics in Phuket.
We’ll also cover where they’re located, their general prices, and their facilities.
Phuket Dental Signature
Location: Patong, the main city beach area and is just a 5-minute walk away from Jungceylon shopping mall.
Phuket Dental Signature is our personal recommended dental clinic in Phuket for several reasons:
- They are the largest dental clinic in Phuket, housed in a 3-storey building.
- They have a team of experienced dentists capable of handling all types of treatments.
- They are well-equipped with some of the world’s leading dental technology.
- With 12 treatment rooms, waiting times are minimal.
- They are a subsidiary of Thailand’s award-winning dental center, Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC), which is our go-to dental clinic in Bangkok.
Therefore, Phuket Dental Signature is an ideal choice if you are in Patong and want to go to a clinic that has similar standards as in the West.
Although Phuket Dental Signature aren’t the cheapest option available, their price is competitive among other international dental clinics you would find in Phuket.
If you want to get a personalized quote, you can fill in this form and they will get back to you shortly.
Phuket International Dental Center
Location: Phuket City, near Central Phuket
Operating since 1985, Phuket International Dental Center institution is one of the oldest dental centers in Phuket. It is located inside Bangkok Hospital Siriroj, a premium private hospital in Phuket city center.
The clinic employs at least 15 dentists that are qualified in various specialties such as cosmetic, general, and orthodontic dentistry. You may be referred to a specialized dentist depending on your case.
Phuket International Dental Center has hosted several overseas clients and also provides medical assistance in case you would like to continue your after-care treatment in your own country.
When compared to other dental clinics in Phuket, Phuket International Dental Center sits in the upper-range when it comes to price. For example, a new crown would cost you in the range of US$530 – US$739, which is higher than Phuket’s average of US$400-US$500.
The hospital hosts waiting patients with a self-service beverage area with refreshments, free personal computer access with internet access, free wifi, and free shuttle and parking, making your visit as enjoyable as it can be.
Phuket International Dental Center also offers an opportunity to plan your dental tourism as it provides you with an option to select your hotels.
New Smile Dentists
Location: Patong, near Patong Merlin Hotel
If you want to undergo any cosmetic dental work or are on holiday and need emergency treatment, New Smile Dentist, Phuket, offers all the services you may be looking for.
Formerly named Promjai Dental Clinic, New Smile offers clean and modern technology with an EU-standard treatment plan. The clinic is also certified with international associations such as the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
This clinic also staffs dentists that specialize in cosmetic dentistry, and pediatric dentistry (if you are looking to get a check-up done for your children). The dentists here are multi-lingual and speak fluent English. They are internationally trained and provide translation services in French, Dutch and Japanese.
The treatment price at New Smile Dentists is slightly higher than other international clinic in Phuket. For example, you will be charged an estimate of US$16 for a consultation while other clinics such as Phuket Dental Signature offer it for free.
Zoom Teeth whitening will cost you around US$300 and all-on-4 dental implants will costs you around $US10,000.
The clinic is located very close to the Patong Merlin hotel, which is situated beach-side and is also surrounded by shopping shacks, bars and restaurants. With such a distinctive location, you will be able to relax before and after your dental treatment.
New Smile Dentists have an active Facebook page that you can even check for reviews and promotions that they are currently offering.
Sea Smile Dental Clinic
Sea Smile Dental Clinic is a well-renowned center that is built for dental tourism. Firstly, it operates an ISO 9001 certified in-house dental-lab.
Secondly, Sea Smile is also a member of the Malo Clinic Partnership. It’s one of the world’s largest networks of dental facilities. They are connected with international dentists and can also provide you with a recommendation abroad.
Treatments at Sea Smile are the standard plans that include veneering, crowns & bridges, tooth extraction, tooth whitening and cleansing, and even complete mouth reconstruction.
Sea Smile Dental Center is well-equipped when compared to other local and privately-owned centers. It has its own on-site dental laboratory with digital x-rays (some clinics may request you to get this done externally).
The clinic also has 5 treatment rooms, ensuring that you will not have to wait in the clinic before you are treated.
The staff are fluent in English. You will be able to pick the right treatment plan for yourself as the dentists give you an in-depth explanation of your particular case, in English.
Here are some examples that should give you an idea of Sea Smile’s rates:
- Composite Veneers: $156 per tooth
- Zoom Teeth Whitening: $302
- Porcelain fused to metal crown: $281 – $562 based on your case
- a root canal treatment for your molar tooth: $312 – $437.
Overall, they are slightly more expensive than other international dental clinics in Phuket.
One distinctive payment option that Sea Smile Dental provides is the MAC Credit Financing Procedure — a loan specifically designed for medical and cosmetic procedures.
Sea Smile Dental Clinic also has their branches in Bangkok under the name of Bangkok Smile.
Procedure
Once you’ve chosen your preferred clinic, book an appointment and get your treatment.
Setting an Appointment
This part is quite simple. Most dental clinics accept walk-in clients. If the dentists are free, they will immediately tend to you (at least for a consultation). And if you’re willing, you could get started with your treatment right away.
Do note that It’s not the same with hospitals though, where queues are typically longer.
Either way, you can always call and book ahead. To schedule an appointment, give the clinic/hospital your name and phone number, and book a time.
Some hospitals and clinics may require you to submit an appointment form online, so dentists get some time to review your case.
Getting Your Treatment
On the day of the appointment go to the center and provide your details at the counter/ information center. You might need to wait for a few minutes before your name is called.
The waiting rooms are air-conditioned, well-kept, and hygienic.
Once you are called into the treatment room, the dentist will examine and ask you questions related to your case (most dentists speak good English). In some cases, the dentist may require you to get an X-ray or a dental CT scan done.
The results of your scan are sent to your dentist digitally. Your dentist will diagnose you and draft a treatment plan that might require further appointments.
At the beginning of a larger procedure, you will be given the option to use a local anesthetic. Most dentists will explain the process to you before starting so you understand what’s going to happen.
Once your treatment is done, you will be given aftercare instructions. Dentists might recommend you follow a diet or take certain medication. If the procedure is not complicated, you could be in-and-out within an hour.
Follow-up Treatment
The dentist may ask you to return for a check-up after your treatment and in some cases, you might need additional treatment. For example, if you had a root canal treatment, the dentist may ask you to return in a week’s time to check your progress.
Unless further treatment is required, a regular check-up will usually be free of charge.
Paying The Bill
Post-treatment, you’ll be guided to the waiting room. When your name is called, the receptionist will give you a receipt and break down your cost.
Dental clinics don’t accept foreign currency. It is best to exchange your currency to Thai Baht as paying in cash is the common form of payment. However, most clinics accept credit cards and debit cards, as long as they are Visa, Mastercard, or AMEX. If you’re transferring money from a foreign bank account, you may incur extra charges.
If you’re a resident or have a Thai bank account, you can also pay through wire transfer.
Health Insurance
If you have health insurance, confirm its validity at the clinic you’ve selected. Most dental centers have an insurance plan and procedure as well, so it would be ideal to call and check if your treatment can be claimed. You might need to carry a few documents and do some paperwork.
Even if your insurance company is not under their coverage, clinics can provide you with a medical certificate and receipt, which you may be able to use for claiming.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance in Thailand usually comes with general coverage for teeth cleaning, fillings, and extractions. However, some procedures like cosmetic and restorative dentistry may not be covered. You can compare plans and buy dental insurance from CheckDi.
Social Security
If you are employed in Thailand, you are also entitled to social security benefits. In terms of dental insurance, you are allocated THB900/year for general treatments. While the amount is quite low, it can be useful as it entitles you to a free health check-up every year.
If you want to use your social security, you can inform your clinic directly when you first contact them. You will need to fill out a form and register your claim. Once you have filled it, you need to attach the receipt and submit it to the Social Security office that is near to you.
Now, on to You
Finding a dental clinic in Phuket is simple and you shouldn’t have problems selecting one that fits your requirements. However, if you are still hesitant to go to a private clinic, we recommend you visit Phuket Dental Signature. They may not be the most economical, but their experience and years of service will help you get the standard of treatment you desire.
Their prices are also competitive among international dental clinics in Phuket.
