COLUMN · Choosing a clinic
Are Korean Dentists Good?
Training, Licensing and How to Judge an Individual Dentist
"What is the skill level of dentists in Korea?" is often the first question when considering treatment there. Skill cannot really be described for a whole country; in the end it depends on the individual dentist. This article explains how Korean dentists are trained and licensed, and how to judge the dentist who will treat you, as fairly as we can.
How dentists in Korea are trained and licensed
In Korea, a dentist is generally licensed after completing the required programme at a dental school and passing the national examination. This basic framework of university education plus a national exam is shared with many countries.
Dentists who want to specialise further usually go on to:
- clinical training at a university hospital (internship and residency);
- training or programmes in a specialty such as prosthodontics, oral surgery or orthodontics;
- ongoing learning through academic societies and study groups.
Holding a licence is the starting point; how far each dentist has gone in a given field differs from person to person.
Why esthetic and implant cases are said to be common
Demand for esthetic dentistry and implants is high in Korea, and these cases are said to be relatively common. Background factors include strong interest in appearance and clinics with specialised equipment gathering in cities.
More cases mean more opportunities to work in that field. But a high number of cases does not by itself prove the quality of any individual treatment; it is better seen as a general tendency.
How the system differs: insurance and private treatment
Korea has a national health insurance system, but esthetic treatment and implants are often provided as private (non-covered) treatment. This gives a wide choice of materials and methods, but it also means you need to check each clinic's quote and treatment details individually. Neither system is simply "better"; when the system differs, what counts as "standard" differs too.
How to judge an individual dentist
- Cases and track record: whether there are case photos and experience with cases like yours.
- Specialty: esthetics, implants, orthodontics, and which field the dentist focuses on.
- Experience: who will actually treat you, and their years of experience and approach.
- How carefully things are explained: risks, alternatives and the cost breakdown, not only benefits.
- Aftercare: follow-up after treatment and what happens if there is a problem after you return home.
As an example of what to look for: our head director, Dr. Sunmin Kim, is a board-certified orthodontist (Korea) with orthodontic internship and residency training and a PhD from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, and 16 years of orthodontic practice. The directors in charge of orthodontics, gums and implants, and veneers review each case together.
Frequently asked questions
Are Korean dentists better than dentists at home?
How do dentists in Korea get their licence?
How can I judge the skill of the dentist who will treat me?
Questions about your own teeth?
Send us photos of your teeth for a preliminary opinion. A final plan and quote are given after an in-person examination.
Ask on WhatsAppThis article is for general information and does not promise any particular result or cost. Suitability, treatment plan, results and how long restorations last differ from person to person. Please have a consultation and examination with a dentist before treatment. Prices are standard list prices as of 2026-10-22 and may change.