My teeth aren't good. I've known this for nigh-on thirty years. I've spent thousands of dollars in the US on them as well as thousands of pounds in the UK but I've discovered that no amount of money can cure the underlying problem, I've simply got bad teeth.

If you read the rubbish in the Lonely Planet it'll tell you that, before any lengthy stay in China you should visit your dentist and, if you're holidaying in China and find yourself needing a dentist, wait until you get home.

It's 'rubbish' because it's based on real-life pictures such as these...



Just another piece of evidence that those who feed you really don't understand today's China.
I've lived with the threat of my teeth needing some serious treatment for the past five years in China and, finally, last week I bit on something that sent a shockwave to my brain and I nearly collapsed in pain. An exposed nerve! I bore the pain for a few days but yesterday had to admit defeat. I set off for the local dental hospital, the Qinhuangdao Dental Hospital at SiDaoQiao 四岛桥.
I've been in many dentists in my time but none as clean or as hi-tech as this. The whole ambience of the place relieves the most of the pain.

Don't panic just because you don't speak Chinese. A couple of the dentists studied overseas and speak a little English but they also have to hand a Denistry in English book which provides superb translations for all those dental questions you may have, as well as providing the dentists with enough English to explain the torture he's about to inflict upon you in the clearest of terms.

Another thing mentioned by the 'Looney' Planet is that should you go to a western-esque dentist in China then you'll pay through teeth. Excuse the pun, won't you? More rubbish!

Yes, just like chinese hospitals you must pay for everything and that includes 3元 for talking to the receptionist. They are not expensive at all and certainly not when compared to those thieving yanks.

I'm in for the dreaded root canal. This will be followed by a double extraction. To date I have paid for an X-ray, two injections and part 1 of the treatment (it's a 3-session job) and I've parted with 135元. The total cost will come to a mere 400元 or somewhere in the region of 40GBP. I'll keep this entry updated with the running cost as it comes in but be assured, it's cheap and it's bloody good.