Wisdom Teeth Removal In Bangkok

Many people come to Thailand for medical tourism – as I live here, I have to rely on Thai hospital services all the time. Recently I got my wisdom teeth removed at a fraction of what it would have cost me in the UK

I’m typing this with the distinct sense of missing something – that would be two of my wisdom teeth, which I had removed at Bangkok Hospital this weekend. My poor gums still feel a bit tender and I’m on the soft foods for a few more days yet, but the procedure went as smoothly as could be expected.

I’ve been going regularly to Bangkok Hospital for the last couple of years for both medical and dental treatment as I very much like their quality of service. There are numerous other prestigious private hospitals in Bangkok, but I’ve had little reason to seek treatment elsewhere as I’ve found their doctors and dentists to be excellent. Virtually all Bangkok Hospital’s doctors gain their qualifications in the US or Europe, so the service is comparable to what you would get at home – actually, from a UK point of view, it’s much better because there’s no waiting around. This also means that virtually every Thai doctor speaks fluent English too. You make your appointment, you turn up and everything happens like clockwork in pristine surroundings. Indeed, three of my friends have had their babies born in Bangkok, so great is their trust in the private Thai hospitals.

The cost of getting my two wisdom teeth removed was 4000 Baht – around $120 US. That is extremely reasonable and you can see why a lot of people get medical treatment while in Thailand – things like cosmetic teeth whitening in Bangkok is very popular, as you can do it while here on holiday. Planning a trip specifically to get particular medical treatments while in Thailand is also increasingly common – it is certainly worth investigating the cost of coming to Thailand for treatment versus what it would cost back at home.

Sometimes it may not be worth it – for example, I am currently in need of a dental implant. At Bangkok Hospital it will cost 80,000 Baht – $2800 US approximately – to have it done. That’s almost as expensive as getting it done in the USA or UK, as far as I can tell from online research. There are some cheaper alternatives in Bangkok, but for something major like a dental implant, I really don’t want to cut any corners.

Which brings me to he big issue with getting medical treatments in Thailand – you do not have that much comeback if something goes wrong. I am definitely not a legal expert on these matters but I think there is limited liability if there are complications with a medical procedure in Thailand. Therefore it is important to check your rights thoroughly before you seek treatment if you are undergoing complex procedures.

That caveat aside, there are a lot of excellent doctors and dentists in Bangkok and the price of treatments in Thailand mean that it should be one option to consider if you are weighing up the costs of getting treatment.

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