Meet a Prosthodontics & Comprehensive Dentistry Specialist at Yeomchang Station Dental Clinic

Hello, I’m Jong-ha Park, the director of 연세그리다치과의원 Yeomchang Station. Today, instead of talking about dental treatment, I’d like to share, in a relaxed way, what mindset I bring with me when I open the door to the treatment room.

I Understand Your Fear of the Dentist

Dentists are places that often have a particularly strong image of being “scary.” Whether it is because of an experience from childhood or the sounds and smells of treatment, I have met many people who spend days or even weeks worrying about opening the dentist’s door, even when they are in pain. Because I understand that feeling so well, there is one thing we pay the most attention to:

Creating a space where coming to the dentist does not feel burdensome.

This is not some grand idea. It means thoroughly explaining the process in advance, avoiding unnecessary fear, and taking care to help you feel as comfortable as possible during treatment. That is the principle I try to uphold every day in the treatment room. Whenever I read the stories left by those who have visited us, I gain confidence that we are heading in the right direction.

Why I Obtained Specialist Qualifications in Both Prosthodontics and Comprehensive Dentistry

I graduated from Yonsei University College of Dentistry and, after completing a residency in prosthodontics, obtained specialist qualifications in both prosthodontics and comprehensive dentistry. At a university hospital, I also worked as a clinical teaching professor, supervising treatment provided by dental students within the hospital.

I am sometimes asked, “What does double board mean?” Simply put, it means holding two specialist qualifications recognized by the national government, specifically the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

My reason for choosing prosthodontics goes back to my time working at a university hospital. At a university hospital with multiple departments, complex cases requiring an overall treatment plan were often ultimately referred to the prosthodontics department. I found the process of considering not only each individual tooth but also the function and balance of the entire mouth very appealing, so I chose this path.

However, there are areas that can be difficult to address through prosthodontic treatment alone. Through the specialist program in comprehensive dentistry, I also wanted to develop broad treatment capabilities, including cavity treatment and gum treatment.

What “A Dental Clinic That Draws the Big Picture” Means

Our clinic slogan includes the expression “treatment that draws the forest, not just the trees.” I realize this may sound somewhat grand, and some of you may feel burdened, thinking, “I only need this one spot treated.”

However, when we talk about the big picture, we do not mean that we recommend extensive treatment to every patient. In fact, it is the opposite.

Even when treating a single small cavity, we do not look only at that one tooth. We consider, within the overall balance of the mouth, whether the treatment is truly necessary at this point and which approach would best preserve the natural tooth for as long as possible.

Whether the treatment is simple or complex, the care we take is no different.

Going forward, I hope to occasionally share thoughts like this along with dental information and case stories. Thank you.