I've been told that ALL dental (not costmetic stuff) is covered completely in Japan. Any input on this......

I think I've read to the contrary.

I thought I read in the United concordia info, that all procedures were covered here in japan without a co-pay.

It was all free for me while in Sasebo. I had cleaning, X-rays, several check-ups, and even some free cosmetic bonding done on an eroded tooth! But I can't tell you for sure they can do crowns or dental surgery, or if they'd send you to someone in town (whom you'd have to pay).

It has been free for me, I have had a few dental cleanings and a filling done. Some of my friends have had their wisdom teeth pulled and I am pretty sure they didnt have to pay for it.

It's all free. We've had cleanings, fillings, crowns, wisdom teeth pulled, braces for both girls and my oldest daughter just had jaw surgery to correct her overbite---all free. I love being overseas!

Wisdom teeth pulled........booo.    They keep telling me to get mine pulled.  They aren't bothering me and are coming in pretty straight.  What has all of your experiences been like getting them pulled here (or s/where else)? 

I wish I would have known this before I got my wisdom teeth pulled less than a year ago!! Oh well... it's good that we're here now because my oldest needs some work. Has anyone had any experience with kids and dental here? We had an awesome pediatric dentist (though $$$) in MD and are hoping it's not too horrible here.

My two are teens but you'd think they were 5 years old when it comes to the dentist! We've had great experiences with the orthodontist and oral surgeon. With the regular dentists it can be hit & miss. I've had some great ones that were very caring and a couple that didn't do a great job. The hygienists are generally very good. Make appointments ASAP. It's fairly easy to get a cleaning appointment but the dentists are stretched thin and it could be a month or so before you get in. So keep on top of things.

how are the dentist out in town? I need a filling and getting into dental is horrible~

Go to dental on base and they will give you a list of reputable dentists who speak English.

I have had wisdome teeth that werent supposed to be there (because they came a year after I moved to Japan) and there buds were not on any of my x-rays. I have had two older fillings re-done. One root canal, one crown,(due to one dentist not sealing one said re-done fliing properly) several cleanings and extra floride treatments all for free. The differnce is you get basic basisc stuff. Nothing fancy or handmade like you would from a private docotor.

And Yokogirl the reason they are telling you to get your wisdometeeth removed is, that they are supposed to grow in during your late teens. When they grow in after that they tend to be more brittle and more prone to cracking all the way down to the apex. The apex is the hole in the bottom of your tooth near your jaw bone that the nerve attaches to your soft tissue. And if that happends its very painful.

Rawwwrr, I wish I would of raised hell about my Wisdom teeth and got them done here if I would of known about this! They wanted them out and I didn't fight it... it ended up costing me a grand out of pocket.

Rea.....I've had mine since I was a teen.  All my dentists have said "pull em" even though they're straight and don't bother me.  However, I've heard many horror stories about people getting them pulled, and then end up w/ major problems afterwards.  I'm one of those people that believe "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  I know that type of thinking could catch up w/ me when it comes to my wisdom teeth, but I guess that's the chance that I'll take. 

Anybody in Yokosuka get yours pulled here?  What was your experience?

The older you get the more your wisdom teeth can crowd your mouth and cause your front teeth to shift be crooked.

Well that should only be true if you have gaps in your teeth and your wisdom teeth are coming in sideways pushing up against the others. If they are coming in straight, and there is room in your jaw for em, they wont harm you..just the tooth erupting from under the gums can cause you to want to bite on cotton or something..ive had that before. The only thing you would have to worry about..is them coming in with no room, which makes that VERY painful, and making sure you floss, if they come in straight without a prob, to prevent decay from occurring on your molars. Wisdom teeth can sometimes cause a little gap between itself and the 2nd molar..so its easy for decay to occur there.
Ive heard plenty of horror stories from the removal of wisdom teeth since working at a dental office for 3 years. Worst is a sister office of ours, I wont mention names but it was one of those 'chains', had a patient come in for extractions, needed a medical clearance bc of a history of allergic reactions to anesthesia..surgeon was 'on a roll' and did not bother to check the patients chart or history or ask questions..they hooked him up, knocked him out..and well..thats as far as the poor man got. He didnt wake up from the anasthesia. Also had patients get the 2nd molar pulled instead of 3rd molar bc surgeon (different one this time) did not look at the xray to notice the 3rd molar was inpacted (under the gums) and said to himself..hmm..this is the last molar..this has to be it..Yank. Plenty of things can go wrong if you visit chains and sometimes..things can go smooth. Sad to say with chains, its really just sheer luck and showing up on a surgeons good day. Which they all should be!!!
Dont let me scare you though. Im sure on base they are very careful bc all these stories I have, are just lawsuits in the process. Im sure base doesnt want that. Go to private docs I think would be best. Do your research..find out how many RCT's he/shes done, extractions, years theyve worked, years of school, if cosmetics have been done, ask for pictures of before/after, Ask about hygiene!!! If they do Scaling and Root planing, which are deep cleanings. Most cases, if you havent seen a dentist for about a year, you will need something more than just a regular cleaning. Unless your really good about brushing, flossing and rinsing. Anyhoo..I love this field though im dead scared of the dentist myself!!
If anyone has a good off base dentist...id love to know. I need work done, im sure the dental office will refer me out for.

So when you guys got here you canceled your United Concordia TDP plans or did you just keep paying through allotment and get the service from base?

If you cancel your United Concorida, you have to wait a cool off period before you can apply again. **knock on wood ** we have never had to use ours over here, while in the states my work offered better coverege then UC but now we have this one just in case

We were told to no cancel United Concordia just in case...Never used it in Sasebo and I was told here that you have to pay up front then get reinbursed by UC....not going that route...
I hate paying for something I am not using but what choice do I have...getting appointments at dental is hard if you are a dependent...I just called and got one for a filling but it's in June....a two month wait for a filling...unless I am in pain is the only way it will get done earlier.

My oldest son just got out of braces, but kids #2 and #5 both will need braces soon.

Is it best to wait to get to Japan before starting any work?

I don't think there's an orthodontist on base in Iwakuni. Our clinic is very small. If you have other insurance, not sure how it would work in Japan, like if you went to a Japanese provider.