Hello everyone~
A few days ago, I suddenly felt a sharp, throbbing pain in my tooth, which was incredibly uncomfortable. As an international student living in Korea, going to the hospital can sometimes feel a bit burdensome. I worried, "Dental care is going to be expensive..." but thankfully, I have national health insurance, so I guess that's a relief.
The place I went to this time was Seoul National University Dental Hospital in Gwanak, near my home. It's the closest dental clinic to my house, and since it's a university hospital, I felt confident. Upon arriving and entering, the information desk was right in front of me, and the waiting room was clean and quiet. The staff were very helpful and helpful, so I think even first-time international students won't have to worry.
This visit was a simple examination and X-ray. The total cost was 17,760 won, of which I actually paid 7,100 won! I received a whopping 10,000 won in subsidies from my health insurance. If you have Korean National Health Insurance, you can get significant discounts on most hospital bills, not just dental bills. In particular, basic treatments like scaling, cavity fillings, X-rays, and tooth extractions often receive discounts of 50% or more!
Before my appointment, I simply registered at the reception desk and explained my symptoms to the doctor in charge. After treatment, I received a receipt detailing my insurance coverage. I could see at a glance how much I had to pay out-of-pocket and how much my insurance would cover, which made the process transparent and trustworthy.
This time, I felt that Korea's national health insurance system is really well-established. It's great that I can go to the hospital right away when I'm sick, without having to worry about significant out-of-pocket expenses. Dental care can be expensive in other countries, but in Korea, thanks to insurance, I can receive treatment at a reasonable price. Have you ever been to a dentist in Korea?
