Key facts
- Chinese, English and Japanese consultations are available at Lucid Dental Clinic.
- Patients from China were the second-largest group of foreign patients in Korea in 2024 (Korea.net).
- NHIS says foreigners staying more than six months are subject to mandatory enrollment.
- The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline offers 24-hour help in Chinese, English and Japanese.
- Open until 20:30 Tuesday to Thursday and 10:00–16:00 on Saturdays.
您好！位于首尔江南的 Lucid 牙科诊所提供中文咨询服务。如需预约或咨询，欢迎通过 WhatsApp（+82-10-8354-2975）与我们联系。
Is there a Chinese-speaking dentist in Seoul?
Yes. Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul offers dental consultations in Chinese, as well as in English and Japanese. You can describe your symptoms, understand your X-rays and discuss options and fees in Chinese before deciding on treatment. You will find us on the 3rd and 4th floors of the COWAY Building, facing Exit 3 of Eonju Station (Line 9).
Chinese-speaking patients come to Seoul from many places, including mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, and many more live in Seoul as students and workers. Korea.net, the government's official news site, reported that patients from China were the second-largest group among about 1.17 million foreign patients in Korea in 2024, after Japan.
Who uses our Chinese-language consultations?
Two groups use them most: people living in Seoul who need regular care, and visitors who plan a specific treatment. Their needs are different, so we plan differently for each.
| Residents (students, workers, families) | Visitors | |
|---|---|---|
| Common needs | Check-ups, cleaning, fillings, wisdom teeth, braces | Veneers, implants, whitening, urgent toothache |
| Insurance | NHIS typically covers basic care with a co-payment | Non-covered fees; check travel insurance for emergencies |
| Scheduling | Treatment can be spread over weeks or months | Planned around travel dates, with a spare day before flying |
| Follow-up | Regular reviews in Seoul | Records on request for your home dentist |
Can international students and workers use NHIS at Lucid?
Yes, if you are enrolled. Korea's National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) says foreigners who have stayed in Korea for more than six months are subject to mandatory enrollment, and employees at insured workplaces are enrolled through their employer. NHIS offers an English call center at 033-811-2000, and its health checkup forms are available in several languages, including Chinese.
For enrolled patients, covered dental care typically includes one scaling per calendar year for adults 19 and over, basic fillings, extractions, root canal and gum treatment. Veneers, whitening and most orthodontics are not covered. Bring your residence card to each visit. Our guides on NHIS dental coverage for foreigners and dental care for international students in Seoul explain more.
How are fees set for visitors?
Visitors pay the clinic's non-covered fees, set in Korean won. Veneers, implants, inlays, root canals, crowns and whitening are all quoted after an exam. Our guide to dental fees in Seoul has the full table.
Korea's VAT refund for foreign medical tourists ended on December 31, 2025, so cosmetic treatment should be budgeted without a refund. Ask at booking which payment methods are accepted; our guide to paying for dental treatment in Korea has general tips.
Which treatments can be planned on a short visit?
Some treatments fit a short trip and some do not. Whitening, fillings, inlays and a cleaning can often be done in one or two visits. Porcelain veneers usually need several visits across a number of days, because each veneer is custom-made and checked before bonding. Conventional implants need months of healing between the surgery and the final crown, so many visitors plan two trips; One-Day Implants may be possible in selected cases after an exam. Braces and aligners need regular check-ups and suit people living in Seoul or able to return. We will tell you honestly if your dates are too short for the plan you have in mind.
How do I book a Chinese-language consultation?
- Message us: write on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 in Chinese or English and ask for a Chinese consultation.
- Describe the problem: send photos, any X-rays and, if you are visiting, your arrival and departure dates.
- Choose a time: we suggest appointment times; late evenings until 20:30 are available Tuesday to Thursday.
- Attend the exam: bring your passport or residence card and a list of any medicines.
- Review your plan: you receive options, risks and fees, and decide whether to go ahead.
What if I have a toothache while traveling?
Message us with a description and a photo, and we will tell you how soon you can be seen. Severe swelling of the face or neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a high fever needs a hospital emergency department immediately. For general travel help in Chinese at any hour, the Seoul Metropolitan Government says the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline offers 24-hour service in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. See our guide on toothache while traveling in Korea.
Who is the dentist?
Treatment is led by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Chief Dentist, certified in esthetic dentistry (심미치과 인정의). He graduated from Kyung Hee University College of Dentistry, completed a clinical implant program at Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry, and took continuing education in implants at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and in endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania.
What should I know about risks and follow-up?
All dental treatment carries some risk, such as sensitivity, infection or the need for adjustment, and long-distance follow-up needs planning. Before treatment, ask what check-ups you will need and who will provide them after you leave Korea. Ask us for treatment records and itemized receipts on request so your home dentist or insurer has the details. Individual results vary; a consultation and exam are required.
Practical tips for your visit
- Take a local Line 9 train; express trains do not stop at Eonju.
- Write your medicines in Chinese or English, with doses.
- If your company or school insurance needs documents, check their list before your visit.
- Leave at least one free day between major treatment and your flight.
If you are comfortable in English, our English-speaking dentist page covers the same practical details, and our expat dental insurance page explains claim paperwork.
Book a consultation
To book a Chinese-language consultation, message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or book through WhatsApp here. We are open Monday to Saturday, with late hours Tuesday to Thursday.
Frequently asked questions
Can I write to the clinic in Chinese?
Yes. Send your message on WhatsApp in Chinese or English and say that you would like a Chinese consultation, and we will arrange it.
Do you use traditional or simplified Chinese?
You can write in whichever you prefer. Let us know at booking if you would like written materials in a particular script, and we will tell you what is available.
Can I get my wisdom tooth removed while studying in Seoul?
Usually yes, after an exam and X-ray. Extractions are typically covered by NHIS for enrolled patients, and you should plan a few quiet days afterward for healing.
Can my home dentist continue the treatment?
Often yes, if you bring your records. Ask us for X-rays, treatment notes and material details on request before you leave Korea.
Is it safe to fly after dental treatment?
Most people can fly after routine treatment. After surgery such as extraction or implants, ask the dentist how long to wait before flying, based on your case.