New US trained dentist at Bangkok Udon Hospital

[Gar]

Went in to BUH the other day to get a crown re-glued, and discovered that the hospital has a newly arrived dentist. Doctor Yada Chaiyabutr spent the last 10 years in the US, trained in dentistry at University of Washington in Seattle, and later taught dentistry at UW. Her English is excellent, as you'd expect from spending the last decade in the US. In my limited experience with her, she seems like a very good dentist, and it was a nice change to get an understandable, and comfortable English speaker as a doctor.

Apparently her husband has family in Udon, and wanted to come home, so now she lives in Udon. We had a good chat about fresh snow in Seattle, and how living in a country with no snow is better than living in a county that gets snow.

I've got some upcoming procedures to get finished, and I'll be switching my future dental appointments to Dr. Yada.

[12345]

If new, then will compliment the already competent English speaking staffed docs there. Been going there for dental needs when Paolo Hosp. Haven't been for years with one check up exception, no problem. Besides that, can't remember last time there, even for cleaning, since no longer use the basically useless store bought toothpaste for cleaning teeth.

[Jello]

it was a nice change to get an understandable, and comfortable English speaker as a doctor.

thanks for the info.

I prefer to see Doctors who can speak English well. I've seen a few at the "international" hospital who's first question is "do you speak Thai?" (If I could speak Thai well, why would I go to a high-priced international hospital?)

I understand that all Doctors in Thailand will have English speaking abilities, but I go to the international hospitals because I'm expecting them to speak English well and understand all of my questions.

[tutone]

If new, then will compliment the already competent English speaking staffed docs there. Been going there for dental needs when Paolo Hosp. Haven't been for years with one check up exception, no problem. Besides that, can't remember last time there, even for cleaning, since no longer use the basically useless store bought toothpaste for cleaning teeth.

I'm curious. What do you use to clean your teeth? Always interested in alternatives for health care.

[Udon Map]

Besides that, can't remember last time there, even for cleaning, since no longer use the basically useless store bought toothpaste for cleaning teeth.

I'm curious. What do you use to clean your teeth? Always interested in alternatives for health care.

I was just thinking the same thing. You no longer go to a dentist for a cleaning because you decided to stop using toothpaste? Have I missed something?

[12345]

Make paste out of baking soda and 3% peroxide. Cleans and disinfects. I have 2 front crowns that are 30 yrs old, and now the rest of my teeth are matching their color, (whiter), all much improved, after 20+ years of coffee and staining. Luckily newer crowns, tinted just a tad darker, are on molars and can't really be seen.

Teeth haven't been cleaner, and no dental (cleanings) visits in almost 10 years. Popped in about 3 or 4 years ago to check on something, had an earache, that I couldn't sort out, and it wasn't in the ear/nose/throat, so she x-ray'd that side, and no abscess/impacted tooth. Earache did finally go away by itself.

So I said while here, might as well clean them, ..... she replied, no need to. Me pointing out it's been a few years, and she simply said, "what ever you're doing, keep doing it".........nuff said.

Added plus of not subjecting my body to fluoride, and artificial sweeteners.

Google probably has differ varieties, as can add mint oil or coconut oil for flavor / scent.......the fresh feeling. You'll notice the store bought stuff, in the states anyway, remember some adding baking soda to their toothpaste, since the secret was getting out and trying to protect their bottom line. Toothpaste (store bought), use and guaranteed to..............need cleanings every 6 months..........

[Stantheman]

For those who might want to try your formula, what amounts of each ingredient do you use and do you make it fresh each time.

[12345]

I simply put the baking soda in one of those liquid / oral medicine cups, that come with cough syrup or whatever, then simply add / simply cover the baking soda. Give it a stir with toothbrush, if needing a bit of a squirt more, then add. I use a tomato sauce / squeeze dispenser for the peroxide, as controllable, rather than attempt to poor from bottle.

Pack of macgregors BS, less than 20 baht, peroxide is about 35 ish baht. Flavor, UP2U. or a quick brush with colgate crap for that fresh feeling.

Vigorous brushing, in case you didn't know, comfortable, but vigorous, as you want to always massage your gums in the process. Almost as important and cleaning. Also works things into the gum line, entry point of bacteria. Of course, don't forget the soft tissue (top/cheeks/tongue) when bushing.

I never did bother with flossing or that rubber massaging tip on some toothbrushes, though always recommended by my ADA dentist, along with colgate crap, and that guaranteed....................................of cleaning every 6 months. Wish I knew about this crap when a youngster. Could have save a bit of filling and crown work. Though still have all but one tooth, so can't cry. Not bad for over 6 decades.

[jingjai]

It has been close to six months since the OP on this thread...
Has anyone actually been to see Dr. Yada, as as patient?
Impressions, competence, feedback, etc.?

[Lone Star]

.

[ting_tong]

the dentist by the bus station may be good, but her new assistant that did a cleaning on my "very last" visit told me that all my fillings needed to be replaced and he was digging and prying in places he could cause PAIN! I told him to stop and if he would like to trade places with me and see how he likes it if I dug and pried in his teeth to cause pain.

I now go to Rak Fan in the back streets by Mae'ya restaurant

[Lone Star]

.

[LoneTraveler]

It has been close to six months since the OP on this thread...
Has anyone actually been to see Dr. Yada, as as patient?
Impressions, competence, feedback, etc.?

Yes, I had a checkup with her back in March. Because I had an abscess tooth, I initially went to Bangkok because of the post about the US trained Dentist. When I went there they told me Dr. Yada only worked on Tuesdays. I was referred to a general dentist and she gave me an exam including x-rays, explained that I needed 3 root canals. I told her I would think about it and get back to her. She gave me 2 types of antibiotics and pain medication. I was not impressed by this dentist and decided to get a 2nd opinion in Bangkok. I went back to pick up my record and x-rays for the 2nd opinion.

Dr. Yada was at the front desk when I came in. I explained why I was there, she said she would give me a free exam.

She gave the exam, checked my records and x-rays and agreed with the initial diagnosis. She is extremely proficient in English, has a gentle touch. I told her I wanted to get a second opinion in Bangkok, she gave me some recommendations there including Bumregaurd (spelling) hospital We conversed about her training in the US (Chicago I recall). She does not practice general dentistry, her specialty is prosthetics. Like crown work after root canal work, which is done by another specialist who comes in every 3rd Saturday. She said she could work with those who have blue shield, blue cross insurance in the US.

I was very impressed with her and decided to have the work done at Bangkok. She uses top-grade material for the crown work not the cheap imports. She is very knowledgeable about her profession. One thing to consider, is to tell the general dentist, if you have type 2 diabetes. They need to see the fasting blood sugar before they will proceed. It has to do with the effect on healing after any work is done. I think the cut-off was either 120 or 140 blood sugar level.

[Udon Map]

I told her I wanted to get a second opinion in Bangkok, she gave me some recommendations there including Bumregaurd (spelling) hospital.

I went to the Bumrungrad dental clinic. Once. Went in (as a walkin) for a toothache and was seen initially by a general dentist for evaluation. He was quite senior (old), and the nurse kept suggesting things for him to do/check. I would give him a C+ for English ability. After each suggestion, he would grunt approval and go back into my mouth. I walked out, never to return.

I now use the Dental Hospital in Bangkok, on Suk soi 49 (fairly far down the soi). http://www.dentalhospitalbangkok.com/. It was recommended to me upon my return from B'grad by the Chief Concierge at my hotel. I've been there for a number of different problems, now, and am very satisfied. Very professional treatment with all specialists as well as the lab in-house. I don't know about all of the dentists, but mine have all been U.S. trained except for one, who was trained at Mahidol University.

[wazza]

I use BKK Smile in Soi 23 BKK?

They have nitrous oxide available.

[GT93]

When I was living in Udon I was only occasionally given a filling. Back in farangland the dentists always seem to want to do something fairly expensive.

I have little confidence in the advice from NZ dentists. I think they're just trying to maximize their income rather than optimize my dental care. In my county dentists are a rip off. They earn a lot more than GPs (primary care physicians in American English). I think they're gold diggers. That's why many become a dentist.

It doesn't seem to matter where they are trained. I have had Eastern European and Asian dentists in New Zealand. They're just as bad as those trained here. I still feel my GP is old fashioned and provides care / advice based on my health interests first. But not bloody dentists. Be careful out there.

[runrunshaw]

Bangkok Smile is a chain, and in my experience, fine for simple teeth cleaning but not sure about the rest. The Soi 21 location, BTW, moved to Sukumvit Soi 5. They move patients around like cattle in a pen--it's all about the money for them. Anyway, I got three different diagnosis from three different dentists there this past January. Turns out all three of them were wrong, and I ended up seeing one of the best specialists in all of Thailand for a very complex root canal treatment (six visits!), then a periodontist, then finally had the crown work done inexpensively here in Udon.

Bangkok Smile assured me they offered nitrous, but when I asked for it (I was getting a simple filling), it suddenly wasn't available. I had booked a follow-up for some major work, then cancelled over the lack of nitrous. When I cancelled, they suddenly changed their tune and said the nitrous would be available for me! Bunch of frigging liars, IMO, one hand doesn't know what the other is doing at that place, so I'm happy I found better elsewhere.

Great dental clinic here in Udon on the road between the fountain circle and the monument circle; look for the blue and white sign that says "Oral B." Dr. Veechai is in his 40s, speaks perfect English, very gentle. I think about four or five dentists on staff there with different specialties. I'm very happy with price and skill level.

[Jello]

the dentist by the bus station may be good, but her new assistant that did a cleaning on my "very last" visit told me that all my fillings needed to be replaced and he was digging and prying in places he could cause PAIN! I told him to stop and if he would like to trade places with me and see how he likes it if I dug and pried in his teeth to cause pain.

Did he look like this guy?

[Jungle Dave]

I went to Dr. Veechai today. I needed a filling - the old one fell out over two years ago and I neglected to take care of it at that time. Needless to say, the body has a way of reminding us when neglect or procrastination is no longer an option. I called and scheduled an appointment (thanks runrunshaw for the number). It took 30 minutes and I was good to go. One large filling, a shot of novocaine, the doc and a nurse - Baht 800 (~23 USD!!). Very clean office and parking (a rarity in the mess of Muang Udon Thani). Either way, unless the filling falls out (the previous held for 14 years), I recommend this shop. Dr. Veechai and staff can be reached at 042-245-112.