DOHA REVIEW: BRITISH INTERNATIONAL DENTAL CENTRE IN WEST BAY

Formidable wooden double doors greeting you on the 10th floor

After reading so many positive reviews online about this dental clinic, I decided to pay them a visit about my upper molar which was previously recommended for root canal (I know I am so young, but years of neglecting to floss and gargle took its toll on some of my teeth)

The female waiting room

I had my last filling done in Queen Dental in City Center, and after the last surgeon decided to shove his filthy fingers in my mouth before putting gloves over them I stopped going there. I had wanted to blog about it too, but figured it was just not worth it. Why ruin a perfectly good dental clinic over one dentist's poor hygiene? Having learnt my lesson, I was plucky when it came to deciding whom I wanted to grope around in my mouth at British Dental Center/Dr. Sarah's Dental Center.

The telly had a continuous show about the kind of teeth surgery/whitening/filling/dentures performed at the clinic and a clip about washing teeth the right way

Dr Sarah has two dental centers in Doha, one is behind a Mercedes showroom on Salwa Road and the other is in Salam Tower in West Bay, behind Tornado Tower. Au contrary to popular belief it is not the Salaam Tower opposite Renaissace/Marriot/City Center. This was highlighted when I called to make an appointment, when I asked if its the one on top of Salaam shopping mall, she was quick to correct me that its near Sheraton. When I actually went to the dental clinic, the receptionist was regaling tales of patients whom ended up in Salaam Tower and can't seem to get into the "dental office over there" Tehehe

The view from the waiting room

People got lost and confused so many times with both these Salam and Salaam Towers that they have resorted to printing Google Map of their West Bay branch with a picture of the building so patients would actually know how it looks like. You can't miss this tower, its visible from Tornado Tower/Monoprix. In a pyramid of skyscrapers, Salaam Tower is relatively short and ancient. Their lifts have wooden interior. Their lobby is no bigger than a living room. Salaam Tower has a twin tower located next to it, so look at the Google picture closely, the other tower is called Al-Mirqab Tower. If you're still confused, stand next to Tornado Tower (it should be on your left) and look ahead, Salam Tower is the one on the right. In the far distance, you can see Sheraton

Another angle

Now, I had to wait for about 30 minutes before I was ushered into the office. The service was impeccable, the staff filled my water bottle with water and the view form both the dentists' offices and waiting room was breathtaking. The whole of cornice and the sea in view from full length glass panels. I can imagine working here. It's just awesome

Price List

Now let get talk about the downside of this dental. I know they have a lot of Indian doctors, and a lot of expats in Doha are Caucasians and Asians are inferior in their eyes. Put the racism aside, and spend 10 minutes checking out the list of dentists available at the clinic and request for the dentist you are comfortable with. I had a both good and bad experiences with an Iranian doctors but that didn't stop me from making an appointment with Dr Fady Alian, a Middle Eastern in British Dental Clinic. I was told by the receptionist that he is the best for root canal and he was very good, his explanation was lengthy, his advise was non-judgmental and he was professional all the way. I came out feeling "better" already.

My insurance paid 80% of the fees so I paid about 65 bucks. My next appointment for the root canal is scheduled in July and that will be a wallet-shredder!

The dentist will always inform you upfront how much major surgery/filling/dentures etc will cost so its up to you if you want to go haead or cancel it. There was someone else before me, and that chap's dental cost about 4270 riyals (the dentist has forgotten to update to my profile so I could see the previous patient's cost total)

The aisle leading to the dentists' lair

I would recommend this dental center to you, if you're staying in West Bay. They doctors are fine, the receptionists are friendly and the service is great.

The reception desk

Try not to be racist, or feel that Asians/Indians/Middle Easterns are an inferior complex, put that all aside and you will have an enjoyable dental experience here