My Indian friend got his tooth fixed in Shanghai for ¥300. In London, the quote was £800.
My friend Raj from London cracked a molar eating xiǎolóngbāo (soup dumplings). Classic China injury.He went to a dental clinic near his apartment in Jing'an. Walked in without an appointment.
The process:
1. Registration: ¥20, showed passport
2. X-ray: ¥80
3. Dentist examined him: "Crown. Not root canal. Good news."
4. Quote: ¥300 for a porcelain crown. ¥500 for zirconia.
Raj chose the zirconia.
Total time from walking in to walking out with a temporary crown: 2 hours.
Permanent crown fitted one week later.
Raj's reaction:
"In London, my dentist quoted £800 for the same procedure. Here it cost £55. And I didn't need an appointment. I just walked in. The dentist spoke English. The equipment looked newer than my London dentist's. I'm genuinely confused about how this is possible."
The reality of Chinese dental care:
The good:
• Modern equipment — many clinics use German/Japanese technology
• English-speaking dentists in major cities
• Walk-in appointments common
• Prices 1/5 to 1/10 of Western countries
• Quality is generally high for routine procedures
The... different:
• Some clinics are too sales-focused. They'll recommend procedures you don't need.
• Sterilization standards vary. Stick to well-reviewed clinics.
• Pain management is lighter than in the West. Local anesthetic yes, but sedation dentistry is rare.
How to find a good dentist:
International clinics (expensive but reliable):
• Parkway Dental
• Shanghai United Family Hospital Dental
• Raffles Dental
Local clinics (cheaper, good quality):
• Check Dianping (大众点评) reviews
• Look for 口腔医院 (oral hospital) — these are medical institutions, not just shops
• Ask in expat WeChat groups for recommendations
Common dental costs in Shanghai (2026):
• Cleaning: ¥150–300
• Filling: ¥200–500
• Crown (porcelain): ¥300–800
• Root canal: ¥800–1,500
• Whitening: ¥1,000–2,000
• Braces: ¥15,000–30,000
Insurance:
Most international insurance plans cover dental in China. But check if they require pre-authorization.
Pro tip:
If you're in China long-term, get your dental work done here. Fly home for complex procedures only if necessary. The savings on routine work alone can pay for a flight.
Raj is now planning to get his teeth cleaned, a filling replaced, and possibly whitening — all before he leaves China.
"I might just schedule all my dental appointments around my China trips from now on."
Anyone else had medical/dental work done in China? How was the quality?
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