Who Actually Performs Your Treatment and Why It Matters
Published by The Seoul Dental Clinic · Meet the dentists
Ask who will carry out each step of your treatment, and ask to meet that person at the consultation. In dentistry some tasks belong to the dentist and others are handled by trained staff, and you are entitled to know which is which. This page lists the questions to ask any clinic.
Why the question is fair
When you pay for a procedure, you expect a licensed dentist to make the clinical decisions and carry out the parts that the law and good practice reserve for them. Patients abroad sometimes find that they cannot tell who did what. Asking early prevents surprises.
This page speaks in general terms. At The Seoul Dental Clinic, the dentists are Dr. Hyun Sung Park and Dr. Hyeonjoon Park (clinic directors), Dr. Min Ji Choi, Dr. Yu Jin Kim and Dr. Jin Young Choi; ask the clinic which dentist will treat you.
Asking is not a challenge to the clinic. It shows you want to take part in your own care, and most dentists are comfortable explaining their team and their roles.
Who typically does what
This is a general pattern, not a description of any specific clinic's staffing. Ask directly.
| Task | Usually done by |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis and treatment plan | The dentist |
| Surgery, such as implants and extractions | The dentist |
| Preparing teeth for crowns | The dentist |
| Taking images, preparing the room, assisting | Dental staff |
| Cleaning and scaling | May vary by clinic; ask |
| Appointments, paperwork and receipts | Reception and coordinators |
Why continuity matters
Dental treatment often spans several visits. If the same dentist plans and performs your care, it is easier to keep track of decisions. If handovers occur, ask how notes are shared and who is accountable for the outcome.
For implants, braces and sedation in particular, you want to know who plans, who performs and who follows up. Conscious sedation is published at ₩300,000 (general) or ₩400,000 (with an anesthesiologist), so ask which applies and who will administer it.
When treatment involves several visits, such as implants with healing time, ask how the schedule will work and who you will see at each step. If you are a visitor, this is especially useful for planning a second trip.
Questions to ask at the consultation
- Who will diagnose me and write the plan?
- Will the same dentist carry out the treatment from start to finish?
- Who will do the surgery or the tooth preparation?
- Who handles follow-up and problems after I go home?
- If another dentist is involved, why, and what is their role?
English communication and consent
Understanding what is proposed is part of consenting to it. The clinic states English-language consultation is available. Ask for the plan, the cost and the risks to be explained in English and, if you want, written down. You may take time to decide.
If anything is unclear, ask for it to be repeated more simply. It is the clinic's job to make sure you understand.
Bring a friend or interpreter if it helps. Take notes or photos of any written plan, and ask for a copy of the quote and consent forms that you can read at leisure.
Where to look for confirmation
Credentials and licences of dentists can be requested at any clinic. At The Seoul Dental Clinic, Dr. Hyun Sung Park and Dr. Hyeonjoon Park trained at Seoul National University, and Dr. Hyeonjoon Park handles orthodontics and is a Certified Invisalign Provider. Dr. Min Ji Choi is a specialist in Conservative Dentistry and Advanced General Dentistry and handles root canal and restorative work; Dr. Yu Jin Kim is an Advanced General Dentistry specialist and a certified TMJ stimulation therapy provider; Dr. Jin Young Choi is an Advanced General Dentistry specialist. A transparent practice will tell you who will treat you and let you decide with that information.
If you later move abroad, keep the name of the treating team in your records so your home dentist knows whom to contact for notes and images.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my dentist?
You can ask. Availability depends on the clinic's schedule.
Do I meet the dentist before paying?
The consultation is the place to meet and ask. English consultation is stated as available.
Who gives sedation?
Ask in advance. The sedation price differs between general sedation (₩300,000) and sedation with an anesthesiologist (₩400,000), so confirm which one is quoted.
What if my treatment is delayed?
Ask how continuity is handled and who is responsible for follow-up, especially if you will fly home.
English-speaking dentists in Seongnam
The clinic was founded by two brothers trained at Seoul National University who direct it together. Three further dentists hold Ministry of Health and Welfare specialist certifications. Full credentials →
Dr. Hyun Sung Park
Clinic Director
- Co-founder and joint clinic director
- DDS, Seoul National University School of Dentistry
- Master’s degree, SNU Graduate School of Dentistry
- Former staff, Dept. of General Dentistry, SNU Dental Hospital
- Microendodontics Programme, SNU
- Course completion, UCLA, USA
- Member, UPenn Endodontics Study Club, USA
- Certified Invisalign Provider
- Osstem Implant AIC Programme
- Member, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
Dr. Hyeonjoon Park
Clinic Director
- Co-founder and joint clinic director
- DDS, Seoul National University School of Dentistry
- Master’s degree, SNU Graduate School of Dentistry
- Former staff, Dept. of General Dentistry, SNU Dental Hospital
- Affiliate Associate Fellow, American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)
- Certified Invisalign Provider; leads orthodontic treatment
- Course completion, UCLA, USA
- Member, UPenn Endodontics Study Club, USA
- Member, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
- Member, Seoul Prime Orthodontic Study Club
Dr. Yu Jin Kim
Dentist
- Board-certified specialist, Advanced General Dentistry (Ministry of Health and Welfare)
- Johns Hopkins University, USA
- Master’s degree, SNU Graduate School of Dentistry
- Former staff, Osaka University Dental Hospital, Japan
Dr. Min Ji Choi
Dentist
- Board-certified specialist, Conservative Dentistry
- Board-certified specialist, Advanced General Dentistry
- Internship and residency, Jeonbuk National University Dental Hospital
- Master’s degree in Conservative Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University
Dr. Jin Young Choi
Dentist
- Board-certified specialist, Advanced General Dentistry
- Clinical training, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Master’s degree, Kyungpook National University Graduate School of Dentistry
- BA in English Language and Literature, Korea University
Meet your dentist first
Raise these questions at your consultation. The team at the Sujin-dong clinic near Taepyeong Station can answer them in English.