At a glance
Who it is for
Key point
What to check
Next step
Check what “English-speaking” means for your visit.
Ask whether you can discuss symptoms, options, consent and aftercare in English, rather than only make a booking. A clinic may have English-speaking staff on particular days or use an interpreter for clinical conversations.
For a complex treatment, communication needs continue beyond the consultation. Ask how written instructions, laboratory stages, changes to the plan and follow-up questions will be handled. Choosing a clinic where you can ask questions comfortably matters more than knowing dental terminology in advance.
Look for a named dentist and a defined service.
Read the dentist’s professional background and the actual treatment information. Look for clear information about the dentist who will assess you and the care the clinic provides.
You do not need to select a procedure yourself. Describe the problem and ask which appointment to book. For more complex care, ask whether it is provided at the clinic or whether a referral may be helpful.
Understand the fees and insurance arrangements.
When comparing clinics, it helps to distinguish Japanese public-insurance care from private-fee care. International-insurance reimbursement and direct billing are separate arrangements to confirm with your clinic and insurer.
For a first visit, ask whether the consultation, X-rays or scans and cleaning are included. For treatment, compare the complete plan rather than only its starting price. Implant placement, the replacement crown and follow-up may be priced separately. Root canal treatment and its final filling or crown can also have separate charges.
Understand the clinic’s insurance arrangements
Plan your journey to the clinic.
Look for the full building name, floor, entrance guidance and actual opening hours. A station may have several exits, and the shortest walking route may not be the best step-free route. Ask about mobility needs before the day of the appointment.
Check how an appointment becomes confirmed, what happens if you are late and who to contact if plans change. For an urgent concern, availability matters more than a lengthy comparison exercise. For several visits, consider how the location fits your work or travel schedule.
Five questions to ask before booking
Can the clinical discussion and aftercare be explained in my preferred language?
Which appointment is appropriate for my concern?
What does the first-visit fee include, and what may be additional?
Will I pay privately, and what claim documents can the clinic provide?
How are the appointment, location and follow-up arrangements confirmed?
Visiting Tokyo Expat Dental
Tokyo Expat Dental is a private dental clinic in Nishishinbashi, Minato City. Dr Shuya Saito provides care in English and Japanese at the clinic, which has native English-speaking management and two fully private treatment rooms. Hindi and Polish support is available on request, on the days those colleagues are working.
Our regular hours are Monday–Saturday, 09:00–13:00 and 14:00–18:00. You can request a visit using the enquiry form or email; the team will confirm your appointment. Care is provided at our private fees, with options and costs explained in advance. Japanese public health insurance does not apply at our clinic; reports and certificates are available to support an international-insurance claim.