The information below is provided by past and current JETs who are sharing their positive or negative experience with medical facilities/practitioners within Oita Prefecture. Please take into account that a significant amount of time may have passed and that the information within the recommendations may have changed. We have put the reviews in date order, newest first, for your convenience. Please use your own best judgement when seeking medical treatment.
Would you recommend this facility to a person who CANNOT speak Japanese?: Yes
Would you recommend this facility to a person who CANNOT speak Japanese, but is accompanied by someone who CAN speak Japanese?: Yes
Were the office/intake staff, assistants and nurses able to communicate in English with you?: No, but very friendly and there was an English intake form.
Was the Doctor/Practitioner able to communicate in English with you?: Yes. Super fluent cause he studied in the US.
Care received: Dentistry; Website: http://www.tsuchiya-dc.com/ for online appointments. I made an online reservation for a cleaning where you get to put down three different convenient times. The clinic then emails you which date you have been scheduled for. You show up, fill out an English intake form. The wait has been a bit long each time I went. It works such that, you must go three times in order for our insurance to work properly. First visit is upper cleaning, x-rays and photos. Second visit is bottom cleaning. Third visit is final check up. I paid $50 for the first visit, and five for the second (still have third next week). I thought it would be less expensive so I was a little surprised. Overall though it was smooth sailing and a convenient walk from Oita Station.
Would you recommend this facility to a person who CANNOT speak Japanese?: Yes
Would you recommend this facility to a person who CANNOT speak Japanese, but is accompanied by someone who CAN speak Japanese?: Yes
Were the office/intake staff, assistants and nurses able to communicate in English with you?: Yes. One receptionist (?) has very good English and could translate most of what the other staff/dentist/hygienists were saying.
Was the Doctor/Practitioner able to communicate in English with you?: I didn't see the dentist but I don't believe she speaks English.
Care received: Dentistry; I went in (walk-in) to make a cleaning appointment, was given a date and came back on said date. The hygienists/staff took my dental x-ray and cleaned the bottom row of my teeth. Strangely, they told me to come back in three weeks for the top row. I didn't understand why. Wait times were fine since I had an appointment for both cleanings. They gave me a sample of mouthwash but didn't even give me a toothbrush! :O
Would you recommend this facility to a person who CANNOT speak Japanese?: Yes
Would you recommend this facility to a person who CANNOT speak Japanese, but is accompanied by someone who CAN speak Japanese?: Yes
Were the office/intake staff, assistants and nurses able to communicate in English with you?:Not the welcome desk staff, but the dentist can speak English.
Was the Doctor/Practitioner able to communicate in English with you?: Yes, very well.
Care received: Dentistry -Very new facility, clean and comfortable -Scheduling was quick and easy, available after 4pm as well -Waiting time was short, less than 30min -Cost: ~7000yen for a dental check-up. We only pay 35% of this I believe though -English speaking dentist, other staff not so much. You can book an appointment over the phone in English