kzel81
Barfly
Life in not about the amount of breaths you take, but about the moments that take your breath away
Posts: 61
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Post by kzel81 on Oct 30, 2006 11:08:00 GMT 7
Perhaps an odd question, but what are the dentists like over in China? I need to arrange to get two wisdom teeth out, one that is partially through, and one that can't come through because there's no room. They're not actually bothering me, but the dentist has told me they should come out. However, I don't think I'm going to have the money saved to have it done before I leave for China. Does anyone know if this kind of dental operation if fairly common/easy to access over there, and any idea of a rough price to have something like this done?
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Post by Dragonsaver on Oct 30, 2006 12:31:39 GMT 7
There is a thread dating back awhile on dental stuff.
I have had fillings and crowns with no problem.
Having teeth pulled??? Don't know. The normally don't freeze your teeth when they do a filling. Don't know if they would freeze for the wisdom teeth or not. Maybe someone else know.
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Post by Dr. Gonzo on Oct 30, 2006 15:26:43 GMT 7
I had a few extractions. Standard procedure, autoclaved instruments, anasthetic. No drama. But that was Shanghai. Wisdom teeth can be more of a surgical procedure. Proper dentists [specialists aside] work out of hospitals. Prices are low compared to home.
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Post by cheekygal on Oct 30, 2006 16:49:28 GMT 7
To get wisdom teeth out could cost you 150-200RMB in Qingdao or Beijing including everything (per tooth). That's an average price, could be less or MUCH more depending what clinic you will go to. It is not a difficult proceedure. But sometimes takes time because such teeth can be grown into a bone (like in my case). First time it took me about 3 weeks to have my gum more or less healed - I had a minor infection as my wisdom tooth started breaking and aching. I even got slight fever and fatigue and that made me FINALLY remove it. Second time it took about 2 weeks but it was tender for quite for about a month and a half because of the mentioned above bone. It was also aching, the tooth, before I took courage to remove it. I have 2 more to go and multiple minor dental works. But I am panically afraid of dentists - doesn't matter where in the world. I have a dentophobia
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Post by Raoul Duke on Oct 31, 2006 0:11:23 GMT 7
Yeah, there's an older thread on dentistry in China; might want to search it up.
I seem to be in a minority here when it comes to Chinese dentistry. I hate it. My small experience was brutal and degrading.
The worst thing about Chinese medical practice, including (especially?) dentistry: the only way to get pain medication out of a Chinese doctor is to beat it out of him. Which I've come close to a number of times.
The attitude among doctors/dentists here is "Oh, you can stand the pain. Pain is not a problem." My attitude, in response to that, is "m'kay you and the horse you rode in on, you inhumane, unwashed, spineless, semi-trained glorified oil-change technician!"
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Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on Oct 31, 2006 6:00:42 GMT 7
Sorry you had a brutal experience Raoul. Mine was very different. I was forearmed with the knowledge of your experience and prepared to ask for medication prior to the procedure. Not necessary. My dentist (retired military guy) whipped out a syringe and packet of something and made a big deal of letting me know it was medicine from a foreign country. Gotta say that the first needle going in only pricked a little and pain free from then on.
I guess the wisdom to be learned from this is insist on medication before you get into the dental chair.
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Post by cheekygal on Oct 31, 2006 7:33:26 GMT 7
My friends were always asked if they would like a shot of anesthetic when they went for even minor dental works. I guess it depends on a place and a doctor...
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Post by Vegemite on Oct 31, 2006 10:00:14 GMT 7
I've had a fair bit of dentist treatment lately (teeth breaking left, right and centre), weekly visits during the summer holidays...and it continues. I was phobic about the dentist back in NZ - back there, last time I had to get knocked out with horse drugs to get me in the chair. Here, though, it's a lot better. It may just be luck but I've had only a couple of painful visits. Only once did I get a 'Western' style painkiller - all the other times they've used cloves and some other traditional pain relief. Still am phobic but now I can sit in the chair and open wide no problem ;D And, on the whole, I've been really relieved that I can't understand what they're saying. It means I have no idea of how painful the procedure is going to be and so am usually pleasantly surprised. And my dentist works in with the hospitals...she referred me to a hosp. to be treated for an infection before she'd even work in my mouth.
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Post by Raoul Duke on Oct 31, 2006 23:29:48 GMT 7
Yes, they give you Novocaine, freeze spray...all that stuff for the actual procedure. But things like wisdom tooth removals are going to hurt like a bitch tomorrow, too...and they won't give you diddley-squat for that. And I say: A pox upon them. A pox upon them, and upon their women, and upon their children, and upon their sheep and goats and horses and kine thereof, and yea even unto their lands and chattels.
Denying people basic pain relief for legitimate medical reasons, simply to avoid a bit of scrutiny or paperwork, is just plain inhuman no matter where you're from or how you slice it. And the Chinese suffer from this even worse than we do.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Nov 3, 2006 22:21:10 GMT 7
One thing I have noticed is that the Chinese doctors DO NOT understand the variables with which people respond to pain. If I say something hurts, it bloody hurts. Stick a needle in or basically give me stitches without anaesthetic, that doesn't hurt it stings. HURTS bloody HURTS. And some things hurt one person do not another.
I can still feel the drill after most anaesthetics, apparently due to a small % but regular connection in nerves that some people have. Normal shots don't deaden this connection. Something to do with the central nerve down the tongue. So, the shots don't work very well, unless they give one extra inside nearer the tongue than is usual. Explain that to someone who doesn't understand English.
I haven't. But then, here I need crowns not root canal, so lucky me. Root canal here would scare the crap out of me. Well, anywhere, really. Except my own dentist who knows this crap. In Oz. A long long long way in space and time ......
And one more thing. I know how to mix the drugs. Ask Raoul, who was having back issues when I met him. I didn't have much, but I had enough to help .....
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Post by Raoul Duke on Nov 4, 2006 12:29:50 GMT 7
I'll vouch. The man's knowledge of psychopharmacology rivals my own.
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Post by Vegemite on Nov 5, 2006 8:30:23 GMT 7
I can still feel the drill after most anaesthetics..... Me too, me too! I really thought I was just weird but now I know I'm normal...well as normal as Mr Nobody. ;D But the good news is that the pain killers they used on me here worked perfectly. The first visit I had they gave me an injection and they could tell it was still hurting 'cos I kept flinching - and from that time onwards I just had natural pain relief. That is, cloves, clove oil, burning stuff in the mouth, and the pressure point on my hand. The result was a lot less pain and discomfort than I've ever felt... and I was having root canal done.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 6, 2006 1:24:05 GMT 7
I'm smarter than the average bear - I have the gas so that they can use the needles - and then I don't damnwell care what they do to me! A mix of drugs is really good in this situation.
I am not into pain. Childbirth was enough - and then my body decided of it's own volition that Ceasars were better and so organised them for me.
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Escaped Lunatic
Barfly
Civet Burger? Sounds tempting. Can I get fries with that?
Posts: 567
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Post by Escaped Lunatic on Nov 6, 2006 4:45:49 GMT 7
>But things like wisdom tooth removals are going to hurt like a bitch tomorrow, too...and they won't give you diddley-squat for that. You actually get pills for the pain after they're done working on you? Where's the fun in that? Don't think I've bothered with procuring or possessing post-procedure pain pills (oooh! now that's alliteration for you) since I was put in the hospital by a snake. Even then it was only for the first 24 hours after being bitten. “It is always by way of pain one arrives at pleasure.” - Marquis De Sade
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Eagle's Nest
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A self-portrait ... note that there is a mess of confusion in the swirling mists of "self"
Posts: 283
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Post by Eagle's Nest on Nov 6, 2006 20:57:34 GMT 7
Okay, I know that there is a Canadian dentist in Shanghai. I think he is working in a medical practice with other expats for the needs of expats wanting a bit of home in China. I even think they are in the yellow pages of the Shanghai phone book.
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Post by Raoul Duke on Nov 6, 2006 23:50:40 GMT 7
Yup. There are also Japanese dentists there. I don't know much about them but there's nowhere to go but up... However, I'm sure all these foreign dentistes are quite expensive...
I'm with Lotus...if they're going to do much more than smile at me, I want gas. Lots of it. They can take the whole head if they give me gas. However, I may also be standing in the chair, roaring "All right, show me the man that'll be touchin' me teeth now..."
Unfortunately I've never found a dental clinic in China that offers gas. The pricey foreign clinics I've called don't offer it, and apparently none of the Chinese dentists cover the chapter that mentions gas during their rigorous 6 weeks of dental education and training. They simply stare at me quizzically, then come at me with the needle like they're vaccinating livestock.
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Post by George61 on Nov 7, 2006 4:12:54 GMT 7
;D ;D
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Post by Raoul Duke on Nov 7, 2006 23:44:58 GMT 7
Yeah, I know. I was wondering if you'd really stoop that low or not.
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Post by George61 on Nov 8, 2006 3:57:54 GMT 7
Low?? I calls 'em as I sees 'em! I don't like reading about dental subjects....especially as I am in dire need of some extensive, and probably expensive, fang maintenance. The thought of pain keeps me away from the "get it done" stage.
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teleplayer
Barfly
Ni3 you3 hen3 duo1 qian2. Gei3 wo3 yi4dian(r)3 ba.
Posts: 541
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Post by teleplayer on Nov 8, 2006 4:45:37 GMT 7
I don't like reading about dental subjects....especially as I am in dire need of some extensive, and probably expensive, fang maintenance. The thought of pain keeps me away from the "get it done" stage. Having had extensive dental and being on regular - 4 times a year maintenance - DON"T PUT IT OFF. Suck up and save the bucks and go find someone reputable or you will know what real pain can be. There's something about chewing steak that appeals to me. You need good teeth for that.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 8, 2006 7:07:06 GMT 7
There's something about chewing steak that appeals to me. You need good teeth for that. Not if you get a beatuifully cooked Australian eye fillet - we do them TENDER!
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Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on Nov 8, 2006 8:36:35 GMT 7
I don't like reading about dental subjects....especially as I am in dire need of some extensive, and probably expensive, fang maintenance. The thought of pain keeps me away from the "get it done" stage. I had no idea you were such a sissy. Suck it up and find a good dentist. What teleplayer said - don't put it off, it will only get worse. If you don't trust Babe to find you one who will make the process pain-free, come visit us. There's a great guy here I highly recommend.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 8, 2006 8:42:36 GMT 7
I'm going to try the one just outside the gate today - only for a clean and check up though. Will see how that goes. If he's Ok, I will be happy. Otherwise I will head for the Military Hospital and try there for anything else.
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Post by George61 on Nov 8, 2006 9:32:02 GMT 7
When it comes to dentists, you HAVE no idea what a wuss I am!!
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