Key facts
- Consultations in English, Japanese and Chinese are available at Lucid Dental Clinic.
- Location: 3–4F, COWAY Building, 606 Nonhyeon-ro, in front of Exit 3, Eonju Station (Line 9).
- Open Tue–Thu until 20:30 and Saturdays 10:00–16:00; closed Sundays.
- Booking and questions in English via WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975.
- Treatment is led by Dr. Park Hyun-min, a dentist certified in esthetic dentistry (심미치과 인정의).
- The CDC warns that language barriers can lead to misunderstandings about care.
Is there an English-speaking dentist in Gangnam?
Yes. Lucid Dental Clinic offers dental consultations in English in Gangnam, directly in front of Exit 3 of Eonju Station on Seoul Subway Line 9. You can message us in English on WhatsApp before you visit, discuss your treatment in English in the chair, and ask for your treatment plan, receipts and records on request.
Seeing a dentist in a country where you do not speak the language can feel stressful. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that receiving care where you do not speak the language fluently can lead to misunderstandings about your care. Clear communication is the first thing we focus on.
How does communication in English work at Lucid?
Communication starts before your first visit and continues after you leave. In practice, it looks like this:
- Before you come: message us in English on WhatsApp with your concern, photos or X-rays, and your dates.
- At the consultation: the dentist explains findings, options, risks and fees in English, using X-rays, photos and models.
- In writing: you can ask for a written treatment plan with the number of visits and fees.
- After treatment: aftercare instructions are explained, and you can ask for receipts and treatment records on request.
If you prefer Japanese or Chinese, consultations in those languages are also available. See our Japanese-speaking dentist page and Chinese-speaking dentist page.
Who is the dentist?
Treatment is led by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Chief Dentist, certified in esthetic dentistry (심미치과 인정의). He earned his DDS at Kyung Hee University College of Dentistry, completed a clinical implant program at Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry, and took continuing education in advanced implants at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and in endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania.
What can I get treated in English at Lucid?
Everything we offer can be discussed in English, from a quick check to a full smile plan. Here is an overview of common needs and how each is quoted.
| Need | Treatment at Lucid | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Toothache, broken tooth or lost filling | Exam, X-ray, filling, inlay or root canal | Quoted after exam |
| Routine cleaning and check-up | Scaling and exam | NHIS co-payment if enrolled; otherwise quoted at booking |
| Missing tooth | Implant, including One-Day Implants where suitable | Quoted after exam |
| Smile design | LUCINATE veneers, whitening, bonding | Quoted after exam |
| Straightening | Braces, Invisalign, front-teeth alignment | Quoted after exam |
| Teeth grinding | Custom night guard | Quoted after exam |
All fees are confirmed after an exam. Fees for anything not listed are explained at your consultation.
What happens at my first visit?
- Message us: send your concern and preferred time on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975.
- Arrive with ID: bring your passport, or your Korean residence card if you live in Korea and have NHIS.
- Fill in your health history: list your medicines, allergies and past dental work.
- Exam and X-rays: the dentist checks your teeth and explains what they see on screen.
- Discuss options: you hear the choices, risks and fees in English and can ask anything.
- Decide: treatment starts only when you agree to the plan.
Our guide to your first dental visit in Seoul covers this step by step.
What if I have a dental emergency in Seoul?
Message us as soon as you can. Describe the problem, send a photo if possible, and we will tell you how soon you can be seen. Severe facial swelling, swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, or heavy bleeding needs a hospital emergency department right away. For more, see our emergency dentist in Gangnam guide.
Korea's 1330 Korea Travel Hotline also offers 24-hour help in English, Japanese and Chinese, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which can be useful for general travel questions.
Can expats use Korean health insurance at Lucid?
Yes, if you are enrolled in Korea's national health insurance (NHIS). Bring your residence card so covered items can be billed with the co-payment. Covered dental care typically includes one scaling per calendar year for adults 19 and over, basic fillings, extractions, root canal and gum treatment. Cosmetic work such as veneers and whitening, and most orthodontics, are not covered.
If you also have private or international insurance through work or school, you usually pay the clinic first and claim afterward. Our page on expat dental insurance in Korea explains which documents to ask for and how to keep your claim simple.
When is Lucid Dental open?
We are open Monday and Friday 10:00–18:00, Tuesday to Thursday 10:00–20:30, and Saturdays and public holidays 10:00–16:00 with no lunch break on Saturdays. Weekday lunch is 13:00–14:00. We are closed on Sundays and over the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays. Evening hours help expats who work during the day.
How do I get to the clinic?
Take Line 9 to Eonju Station and leave by Exit 3; the COWAY Building at 606 Nonhyeon-ro is directly in front. Use a local (all-stop) train, because express trains skip Eonju. The clinic is on the 3rd and 4th floors. If you are coming from the Gangnam Station area, the clinic is within walking distance or a short taxi ride away.
Is treatment in Korea safe for foreign patients?
Korean dentists are licensed after dental school and a national exam, and many clinics treat international patients. Still, any dental treatment carries risks, and good results depend on accurate diagnosis and honest planning. Ask questions until you understand your plan. Individual results vary; a consultation and exam are required.
Tips for a smoother visit
- Bring recent X-rays or records from home if you have them.
- Write down your medicines in English with their doses.
- Learn a few useful words from our Korean dental phrases glossary.
- If you need paperwork for an insurer, ask for an itemized receipt at the end of each visit.
More practical help for visitors and expats is on our foreign patients hub.
Book a consultation
Message us in English on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or book your appointment online. Tell us what is bothering you and when you are free, and we will suggest a time.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak any Korean to visit?
No. You can book, consult and receive aftercare instructions in English. A few Korean phrases can still help with taxis and pharmacies.
Can I bring a friend to help me understand?
Yes, you are welcome to bring someone with you. Let us know when you book so we can plan the consultation time.
Can I get an English receipt for my insurer?
Ask for an itemized receipt and any treatment records you need, on request. Check with your insurer which documents they require before your visit.
Is the clinic suitable for children?
Please message us with your child's age and concern before booking, and we will tell you whether we can help or suggest where to go.
Do you accept walk-ins?
Booking ahead is recommended so the dentist has time for you. If you are in pain, message us first and we will tell you the earliest time you can be seen.