Key facts
- Japanese, English and Chinese consultations are available at Lucid Dental Clinic.
- Patients from Japan were the largest group among about 1.17 million foreign patients in Korea in 2024 (Korea.net).
- Kyokai Kenpo says travel abroad for the purpose of treatment is not eligible for 海外療養費.
- Korea's VAT refund for foreign medical tourists ended Dec 31, 2025.
ルシード歯科（ソウル・江南）では、日本語でのカウンセリングが可能です。ご予約やご相談は、WhatsApp（+82-10-8354-2975）までお気軽にお問い合わせください。
Can I see a dentist in Gangnam who speaks Japanese?
Yes. Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam offers dental consultations in Japanese, as well as in English and Chinese. You can explain your concern, hear your options and discuss fees in Japanese, then receive a written treatment plan before anything begins. The clinic is directly in front of Exit 3, Eonju Station on Seoul Subway Line 9.
Japan is a major source of international patients in Korea. Korea.net, the government's official news site, reported that patients from Japan formed the largest group among about 1.17 million foreign patients in 2024. Short flights make Seoul an easy trip for many people living in Japan.
What treatments can I discuss in Japanese?
All of our treatments can be discussed in a Japanese-language consultation. Many visitors from Japan ask about cosmetic work, while residents of Seoul often need everyday care. Common treatments and the visits they usually involve are shown below. Fees are charged in Korean won and confirmed after an exam.
| Treatment | Visits typically involved |
|---|---|
| LUCINATE Classic / Premier / THE LUCINATE veneer (per tooth) | Several visits over a number of days |
| Full single implant before grafting | Surgery, healing, then the crown; often two trips |
| Anterior (front teeth) alignment, per arch | Check-ups over a period of months |
| Gum contouring | Procedure plus a healing check |
| Whitening, root canal, crowns on natural teeth | Depends on the tooth |
To convert to yen, use the KRW–JPY rate from your bank on the day you pay. See the guide to dental fees in Seoul for every line.
How do I book a Japanese-language consultation?
- Message us on WhatsApp: write in Japanese or English, and mention that you would like a Japanese consultation.
- Share details: send photos of your teeth, any recent X-rays and your travel dates.
- Get a preliminary reply: we explain which treatments may be relevant and how many visits they usually involve.
- Confirm a time: we schedule your consultation in Japanese.
- Visit and decide: after the exam and X-rays, you receive a written plan and decide whether to go ahead.
Our guide on booking a dentist in Korea from abroad has more tips for planning ahead.
How many days should I plan in Seoul?
It depends on the treatment and on what the exam finds. Whitening or a simple filling may take one visit. Porcelain veneers usually need several visits over a number of days because each veneer is custom-made. Conventional implants typically need a healing period of a few months between surgery and the final crown, which often means two trips. Read how many days you need in Korea, and always leave a spare day before your flight home in case a small adjustment is needed.
Can Japanese health insurance reimburse dental treatment in Korea?
Usually not for planned treatment. Japan's overseas medical expenses system (海外療養費) is intended for unexpected illness or injury while abroad. Japan Health Insurance Association (Kyokai Kenpo) states that treatment received after traveling abroad for the purpose of treatment is not eligible, and that treatments not covered by insurance in Japan, such as implants and cosmetic procedures, are also excluded.
If you have an urgent dental problem while traveling, a claim may be possible. Kyokai Kenpo lists a dental medical details form, an itemized receipt form, original receipts with Japanese translations, and proof of your travel dates, and says claims must be made within two years of payment. Ask us for receipts and treatment records on request, and check your own insurer's rules. See also our guide to dental records and receipts from a Korean dentist.
Is there a tax refund for cosmetic dental work?
No longer. Korea's VAT refund for foreign medical tourists ended on December 31, 2025. Cosmetic dental work such as veneers and whitening is VAT-taxable in Korea, so please budget without a refund.
Who will treat me?
Treatment is led by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Chief Dentist, certified in esthetic dentistry (심미치과 인정의), who trained at Kyung Hee University College of Dentistry and completed implant and endodontic continuing education in Korea and the United States. Many visitors ask about LUCINATE, Lucid's in-house porcelain veneer line, which he can explain in your consultation. To learn about cosmetic options in more detail, see our cosmetic dentistry in Seoul page.
What should I bring to my appointment?
- Your passport (or Korean residence card if you live in Korea).
- A list of medicines and allergies, in Japanese or English.
- Recent X-rays or records from your dentist in Japan, if available.
- Any night guard or retainer you currently wear.
Why do people from Japan choose treatment in Seoul?
Reasons vary. Some people already visit Seoul often for work, family or holidays and find it convenient to combine a trip with a consultation. Others are interested in a specific option, such as LUCINATE veneers, and want to discuss it face to face. Whatever the reason, we suggest comparing written plans, not only prices, and choosing treatment only after an exam has confirmed it suits your teeth. Our guide to dental tourism in Korea covers what to check before deciding.
What are the risks of dental treatment abroad?
Any treatment can have complications, and follow-up is harder when you live in another country. Before you start, ask how check-ups will work after you go home and which records you will receive. A trusted dentist at home can then take over routine care. Individual results vary; a consultation and exam are required.
Getting to Lucid Dental
From Incheon or Gimpo Airport, you can reach Eonju Station by subway; Line 9 runs directly from Gimpo Airport, but only local trains stop at Eonju, so change from an express train if needed. Exit 3 brings you out in front of the COWAY Building, 606 Nonhyeon-ro. If you prefer English, our English-speaking dentist page has the same practical details. More help for international visitors is on our foreign patients hub.
Book a consultation
To book a Japanese-language consultation, message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or book through WhatsApp here. Tell us your travel dates and what you would like to change, and we will reply with the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I message the clinic in Japanese?
Yes, you can write in Japanese on WhatsApp. Please mention that you would like a Japanese consultation so we can arrange it.
Can I pay with a Japanese credit card?
Ask at booking which payment methods are accepted. Fees are charged in Korean won, and your card company applies its own exchange rate and fees.
Will my dentist in Japan be able to maintain my veneers or implant?
In most cases, yes, if you bring your treatment records. Ask us for the materials and implant system used so your dentist in Japan has the details.
Can I combine treatment with a short holiday?
Many people do, but leave flexibility around appointments. Avoid planning long activities or flights right after surgery or final veneer fitting.
Is the consultation available on Saturdays?
The clinic is open on Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00. Ask when booking whether a Japanese consultation can be scheduled at your preferred time.