Travel tips
Seeing a dentist in Korea as a tourist: a planning checklist
What to arrange before your trip, what to bring, how payment works and how to fit dental visits around sightseeing in Seoul.
By Dr. Kang Jun-guMedically reviewed by Dr. Kang Jun-guPublished Updated 5 min read
Quick answer
Before you fly, send the clinic your travel dates, photos and any recent X-rays so you get a plan and fee estimate in advance. Bring your passport, a list of medicines and a credit card. Book the first visit early in your trip so there's time for anything that needs a second appointment.
Before you fly
- Message the clinic with dates and your concern
- Send photos and recent X-rays
- Ask for a written estimate and the number of visits
- Check what your travel insurance covers
What to bring
- Passport
- List of medicines and allergies
- Any dental records or X-rays
- Credit card
Scheduling around sightseeing
Put the first appointment on day one or two. Keep the evening after treatment light, and plan big food days before whitening, not after.
After treatment
- Ask for an English receipt and treatment summary
- Get digital copies of X-rays
- Save the clinic's chat for follow-up questions
Questions people also ask
Do I need a visa for dental treatment in Korea?
Short check-ups and treatment during a normal tourist visit don't need a medical visa. Longer planned treatment may; check with the Korean embassy.
Can I pay in US dollars?
Clinics charge in Korean won. International credit cards are the easiest way to pay.
Need this looked at in Seoul?
Check-ups, scaling and whitening, with fees shown before we start.
Dr. Kang is a board-certified Integrated Dentistry specialist trained at Yonsei, Harvard and Columbia. He treats every patient at the Gongdeok clinic himself.
About Dr. KangHow we write these guides: each guide is written from questions our patients ask, reviewed by Dr. Kang, and updated when guidance changes. It is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, please book a check-up.
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