Why International Patients Trust Us: Heartwarming Moments at "Yonsei Yegam Dental Clinic"

안녕하세요 서울 시청역 연세 예감 치과입니다.

시청역 7번출구에서 직진 도보4분(230m) 거리이며, 삼성본관 바로 맞은편에 위치합니다.

저희 서울 시청역 연세예감치과에서는 영어 원어민 수준의 staff이 영어진료를 도와주고 있습니다.

물론, 저희 치과는 소통의 오류를 최소화하기 위해 한국인 환자도 원장님이 직접 상담하시기 때문에

외국인 환자 또한 환자분의 증상과 진단에 대해 통역을 통하지 않고

2018년 개원 이래 꾸준히 원장님(치과의사 10년차이상) 께서 당연히 직접 영어 상담도 진행합니다.

2018년 개원 이래, 외국인 환자가 꾸준히 많아서 더 수준높은 응대를 위해

코로나 때는 잠시 학교를 쉬던 외국치대 뉴질랜드 교포 휴학생이 응대를 해주기도 하고

번역가로 활동 10년차의 미국 치과위생사선생님이 미국 영주권을 준비하면서 데스크 응대를 도와주기도 하였습니다.

오늘은 저희 원어민 수준의 미국거주 10년이상의 staff선생님이 직접 작성한 영어 포스팅입니다.

토플 만점의 똑똑한 직원 선생님으로, 다수 타치과 진료실 직원으로 근무, 치과근무 자격을 가진

치과 베이스의 직원입니다(저희는 치과 지식이 없는 단순 통역직원은 쓰지 않습니다)

아래 글! 한 번 읽어주세요!

At Yonsei Yegam Dental Clinic, we welcome patients from all over the world, and one of the most meaningful parts of our work is witnessing the many different reactions, expectations, and experiences that international patients bring with them. Dentistry may seem universal, but every country has its own systems, tools, and customs, and these differences often create unexpectedly heartwarming moments in our clinic.

One memorable experience involved something as simple as a face cover. When we gently placed the cover over a patient’s face to protect them from water spray, they became visibly confused. It turned out that the clinic they visited back home did not use face covers at all. Once we explained what it was and why we used it, the patient laughed and said it was their first time ever seeing such a thing. Moments like this remind us how interesting it is to witness each patient’s unique reactions—whether it's curiosity, surprise, or even amusement—as they encounter procedures that may be routine for us but completely new for them.

A few months ago, we had another international patient who visited us urgently due to severe tooth pain. The patient had significant gum swelling and inflammation, and the discomfort was affecting their experience while traveling in South Korea. It was upsetting to see their trip disrupted by unexpected pain, and we felt truly sympathetic knowing how disappointing it must have been to struggle with dental issues during a long-awaited visit abroad. Fortunately, their flight was scheduled for the following week, giving our doctor just enough time to create a customized treatment plan tailored to their condition and travel schedule. We were genuinely eager to help so that their memories of Korea wouldn’t be overshadowed by pain or worry, and we did everything we could to make sure their journey could continue comfortably and positively.

However, the patient from earlier was noticeably anxious during treatment. One of the biggest reasons for their fear was the language barrier—they did not speak English, so we relied on their guardian to help translate. Through this experience, we deeply realized how frightening health-related situations can be when a patient cannot fully communicate their concerns or understand the dentist’s explanations. Even when the treatment is simple, uncertainty can amplify fear. Because of this, our doctor and team are always ready to use any type of supportive body language—gestures, expressions, tone, or posture—if it helps us better understand a patient’s needs and reassure them when words alone are not enough. We also make it a priority to double-check and even triple-check with patients, making sure that what we heard, what was translated, and what was communicated truly matches their concerns and meets their expectations. Later on, this patient was so satisfied with our care that they sincerely asked us to move with them to their home country. They even offered us positions there so we could continue assisting them, a gesture that truly touched us and reminded us how meaningful these connections can be.

Because of that, our team naturally stepped in to offer support in every way possible. When the patient trembled in fear, one of our staff members held their hand to reassure them. When they couldn’t relax due to tension, our team spoke to them gently and comforted them until their body eased. Throughout the procedure, we constantly checked on them—whether they felt pain, whether they were okay, or whether they needed a moment to rest. These small acts of care often matter far more than the procedure itself.

Our support continued outside the treatment room as well. We helped translate when language barriers made communication difficult. We assisted with booking appointments at referral clinics when needed. We guided patients to nearby pharmacies, transportation, and local places they asked about. For many international visitors, navigating an unfamiliar country while being in pain can be overwhelming, so we do everything we can to make their experience smoother and more comforting.

Through these interactions, we are reminded every day that dentistry is not just about treating teeth—it is about understanding people. Whether a patient speaks Korean, English, or neither, we make it our priority to ensure they feel welcomed, supported, and safe. The humanity we share with our patients goes beyond language, and this is the heart of Yonsei Yegam Dental Clinic. Our goal is not only to provide excellent treatment but also to create an experience where patients feel truly cared for, no matter where they come from. And that's why we take pride in the work we do!

미국에서 2019년에 연세예감치과 방문하셨다가 다시 5년만에 2024년에 치과치료로 한국에 오신 미국인 환자분

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