An English greeting from Dr. Ko Sungmin

In this approximately 40-second English greeting, Dr Ko introduces the clinic’s name and his thoughts on care. It lets you hear the doctor before visiting. For an appointment, share your preferred language and dates when booking. [1]

The name and the approach to patients

The greeting connects Yido with following the right path and an aspiration for patients to feel comfortable. References to treatment fields describe the clinic. Which treatment an individual needs is a separate question for assessment. [1]

Preparing for a conversation in English

Note where the problem is, when it began and your main question. If you are visiting Korea, share the dates you can attend and when you leave so that the appointment plan can be discussed.

From Initial English Greeting to Actual Consultation Preparation

The brief English greeting from Dr Ko Sungmin is a valuable resource for understanding the voices of the medical staff and the hospital's goals. When preparing for a consultation, you can also consider how to effectively communicate your questions. Even those who are comfortable with English may find the specific terminology used in a dental setting unfamiliar, and those who are comfortable with Korean may struggle to articulate their health condition in English. Please first indicate which language you would prefer to use for the consultation when making your reservation. Additionally, briefly note the purpose of this consultation and any specific concerns you have. The English phrases below are examples created by the editorial team to help you prepare for the consultation; they are not additional dialogue from the video. Please select only the phrases that are relevant to your specific symptoms and situation.

Describing the Location of Discomfort

If you don't know the exact name of the tooth, you can indicate the location and say something like, "I feel discomfort here." Provide as much information as you can, such as whether it's upper or lower, left or right. If the discomfort is in multiple areas, you can mention that as well. Using phrases like "This tooth" or "this area" helps to clearly communicate whether you're referring to a specific tooth or a broader area. If you haven't been diagnosed yet, focus on describing what you're feeling rather than trying to determine the cause of the problem. You can also check to see if the location the doctor is pointing to matches what you're describing. Finally, read the translated sentence carefully to ensure that it doesn't contain any information that is different from the actual situation.

Identifying the Onset and Recurring Symptoms

Once you've described the location of the symptom, try to identify when it started and the specific situations in which you experience it. For example, "It started three days ago" is a suitable example for when the symptom actually began three days prior. You can also specify which action, such as chewing, triggers the symptom, as in "I notice it when I chew." Remember to adjust the numbers and dates to match your own experience, and if you're unsure, indicate that you're estimating. If you find it difficult to describe the symptom in detail, you can break it down into shorter sentences focusing on the affected area, the onset, and the specific situation. You don't need to intentionally aggravate or diagnose the cause yourself to describe the symptom. Instead, it's best to record what you've observed in your daily life and then ask about how your experience and the explanation you received connect.

Phrases to Request Clarification

If you find it difficult to understand, you can ask for a simpler explanation, such as "Could you explain that in simpler terms?" If you are unsure about the location, you can ask, "Could you show me which tooth you mean?" When you want to confirm your understanding, you can start the conversation with "Let me check if I understood correctly," and then briefly state what you understand. It's not necessary to be able to fluently speak all the phrases to ask accurate questions. You can also note down unfamiliar words and ask for their meaning, or ask the person to point to the location being described on the screen. In addition to memorizing English phrases, it's important to clarify what specific information you need to understand during this consultation. Example phrases: “Could you explain that in simpler words?”

Asking About the Differences Between Options

If you have received explanations for various treatment methods, you can ask, "What are the differences between these options?" You can also ask, "Why do you recommend this option for my specific situation?" After that, you can systematically check the expected changes, potential drawbacks, and any questions you have regarding the treatment process. It can be difficult to compare explanations if you only remember the price or the name of the treatment. In your notes, list the problems each method addresses and the steps involved in the same order. If you are having difficulty deciding, you can explain what additional information you need. These phrases are examples of how to clearly communicate your questions, not necessarily to choose a specific treatment. Example phrases: “Why do you recommend this option for my situation?”

Communicating Anxiety in English

If you feel anxious about your upcoming dental appointment, you can start by saying something like, "I'm feeling a bit nervous about the treatment." Then, explain what specifically is causing your anxiety, such as the sounds, potential pain, or lack of information about the next steps. The ADA's patient guide provides information about dental visits and suggests ways to signal to the dental team when you need a short break. You can discuss with your dentist how you can best communicate your need for a break, such as asking, "How can I let you know if I need a short break?" It's important to confirm the specific help and limitations during the consultation and appointment. Instead of assuming you can only visit after you've calmed down, consider preparing in advance by thinking about what you can say or what signals you can use if you feel anxious. Example phrases: “I feel nervous about dental treatment.” [2]

Please provide your travel schedule for when you will be in Korea

When discussing your visit, please let us know the dates you will be available, your departure date, and any potential dates for a future visit. While you can indicate your stay duration using phrases like "I will be in Korea from … to …," please only fill in the blanks with your actual schedule. If there are any dates in your schedule that you are unable to adjust, please let us know. When you receive our response, it is a good idea to confirm that the requested time aligns with your actual booking and to verify that the provided times are in Korean time. To ensure that you receive the necessary treatment and follow-up care, it is best to avoid setting a definite completion date based solely on your stay duration. Separating your booking information and health/symptom notes will make it easier to find the information you need on the day of your visit. Please also confirm the range of languages we can communicate in and the availability of the medical staff.

Phrases to Use at the End of a Consultation

You can ask, “What is the purpose of my next visit?” To check the instructions for home care until then, try “What should I do at home before then?” Also ask how to contact the clinic if discomfort develops. After hearing the explanation, write down three things in your own words: your current condition, the next step, and the care to follow until then. If you received written information, read it alongside your notes and check anything that seems different from your understanding. After watching Dr Ko Sungmin’s English greeting, prepare your own situation and questions rather than a long English script. Begin with short, clear sentences and work through the points you need explained.