Meet Dr. Choi Sun-hee — The Dentist Who Believes in Saving Teeth, Not Pulling Them

Who Is Dr. Choi Sun-hee?

Dr. Choi Sun-hee is the founder and head dentist of Seoraesun Dental Clinic in Seorae Village, one of Seoul's most distinctive international neighborhoods. She did not become a dentist because it was a prestigious career path — though in Korea, it certainly is one. She became a dentist because she genuinely believes that oral health changes lives, and that the relationship between a dentist and a patient should be built on trust, not transactions.

Her journey into dentistry began during her university years, when she observed something that troubled her about the industry: too many clinics optimized for volume. Patients were processed quickly, treatments were recommended aggressively, and the human element — the conversation, the explanation, the reassurance — was treated as an afterthought. She decided early on that if she ever opened her own practice, it would be different.

After graduating from dental school in Korea, Dr. Choi spent years refining her skills across general dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and restorative treatments. She trained extensively in laminate veneers, dental implants, orthodontics, and preventive care. But what sets her apart is not just technical skill — it is her philosophy of practice. She approaches every patient with one guiding question: What is the most conservative treatment that will genuinely solve this problem?

With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Choi has treated thousands of patients — Korean and international alike. She has seen everything from minor cavities to full-mouth reconstructions. And through all of it, she has held firm to a principle that defines her practice: save what can be saved, and never recommend a procedure that the patient does not truly need.

Treatment Philosophy: Save First, Extract Last

In dentistry, there is often a temptation to recommend the most comprehensive — and most expensive — treatment available. A tooth that could be saved with a careful restoration gets extracted and replaced with an implant. A minor cosmetic concern becomes a full set of veneers. The patient trusts the dentist's recommendation, pays the bill, and never knows that a simpler, less invasive option existed.

Dr. Choi practices the opposite approach. Her philosophy is rooted in what is called conservative dentistry — the principle that the best treatment is the one that preserves as much natural tooth structure as possible. This is not about cutting corners or avoiding complex work. It is about being honest with patients about what they actually need.

Here is what this looks like in practice:

• A tooth with a deep cavity — Instead of immediately recommending extraction and an implant, Dr. Choi will evaluate whether the tooth can be saved with a root canal and crown. If there is a reasonable chance of preserving the natural tooth, she will pursue that option first
• A patient asking for full veneers — If the patient's teeth only have minor imperfections, Dr. Choi will explain that bonding or partial laminates might achieve the same cosmetic result with far less tooth reduction. She will show the patient both options and let them decide
• Gum disease in early stages — Rather than recommending surgical intervention, Dr. Choi starts with thorough Airflow scaling, patient education on home care, and a follow-up schedule. Many patients see dramatic improvement with this approach alone

This philosophy means that Dr. Choi sometimes recommends less treatment than a patient expects. Some patients come in ready to spend significant money on cosmetic work, and Dr. Choi tells them honestly that their teeth are healthy and beautiful as they are. It is a rare experience — a dentist telling you that you do not need treatment — and it is one of the reasons patients trust her deeply.

Why 1:1 Direct Care Matters

At many dental clinics — in Korea and worldwide — there is a common practice that patients rarely question: you see the dentist for a brief consultation, and then the actual treatment is performed by an associate, an assistant, or a rotating team member. The person who examined you is not the person who treats you. The person who treats you today may not be the person you see next time.

At Seoraesun Dental, this does not happen. Dr. Choi personally handles every aspect of your care.

She is the one who reviews your X-rays. She is the one who conducts your consultation. She is the one who performs your treatment — whether it is a routine cleaning, a complex implant, or a delicate laminate procedure. And she is the one who sees you at your follow-up appointment.

This matters for several reasons:

• Continuity: Dr. Choi knows your dental history because she has been there for every visit. She remembers which tooth was sensitive last time, what your concerns were, and what the long-term plan is. You never have to repeat your story to a new face
• Accountability: When the same person does the consultation and the treatment, there is complete accountability. Dr. Choi stands behind every recommendation she makes because she is the one who will carry it out
• Precision: Dental work is craft as much as it is science. Every dentist has slightly different techniques, preferences, and standards. When one person handles your care from start to finish, the result is more consistent and more precise
• Trust: You build a relationship with one person. Over time, that person understands not just your teeth but your preferences, your anxiety level, your goals, and your comfort zone. This kind of trust cannot be replicated by a rotating team

For international patients especially, 1:1 care eliminates a major source of anxiety: the fear of miscommunication. When multiple people are involved in your care, there are multiple points where information can be lost or misunderstood. With Dr. Choi, you tell her directly, and she acts on what you said directly. No intermediaries, no telephone game.

Communication: Clear, Direct, and in English

One of the most common fears among foreigners visiting dentists in Korea is the language barrier. Will the dentist understand my concerns? Will I understand the treatment plan? What if something goes wrong during the procedure and I cannot explain what I am feeling?

At Seoraesun Dental, these worries are unnecessary. Dr. Choi conducts all consultations directly in English. Not through a translator. Not through written notes passed back and forth. She speaks to you, listens to you, and explains your treatment plan to you — in clear, accessible English.

But communication at Seoraesun Dental goes beyond just speaking the same language. Dr. Choi uses technology to make sure you truly understand what is happening in your mouth:

• Primescan digital imaging: After scanning your teeth, Dr. Choi shows you a detailed 3D model on screen. You see exactly what she sees — cavities, cracks, gum recession, bite alignment. There is no guesswork, no vague descriptions. You look at your own teeth in high resolution and understand the situation completely
• X-ray walkthrough: Dr. Choi does not just glance at your X-rays and announce a diagnosis. She pulls them up on a large monitor and walks you through each area, pointing out what is healthy, what needs attention, and what can wait. You leave the consultation knowing exactly what is happening and why
• Treatment options explained: For every condition, Dr. Choi presents the available treatment options — from the most conservative to the most comprehensive. She explains the pros, cons, timeline, and expected outcome of each option. She answers your questions patiently and thoroughly. And then she lets you decide

This level of communication takes more time than a typical dental consultation. Dr. Choi knows this, and she schedules accordingly. She would rather see fewer patients per day and give each one the time they deserve than rush through appointments and leave patients confused about their own treatment.

Why Seorae Village?

Seoul is enormous. There are dental clinics in Gangnam, Myeongdong, Itaewon, and every other major district. So why did Dr. Choi choose to open her practice in Seorae Village — a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood that most tourists have never heard of?

The answer says a lot about who she is as a dentist.

Seorae Village — officially Banpo 4-dong in Seocho-gu — has been home to Seoul's French expatriate community for decades. The neighborhood has a distinctly European character: small bakeries, independent cafes, narrow streets with mature trees, and a pace of life that feels nothing like the high-energy buzz of Gangnam just minutes away. It is also home to the Lycee Francais de Seoul, which means the neighborhood has a large, stable population of international families.

Dr. Choi chose this neighborhood deliberately. She wanted a practice embedded in a real community — not a tourist-facing clinic in a commercial district designed for quick transactions with visitors passing through. She wanted to see the same families month after month, year after year. She wanted to watch children grow up and help elderly residents maintain their oral health into their later years. She wanted the kind of practice where patients wave to her at the local cafe, where trust is built slowly and naturally over shared years in the same neighborhood.

For international patients, this matters. Seoraesun Dental is not a dental tourism factory. It is a neighborhood clinic that happens to serve a remarkably diverse, international community. When you visit, you are not treated as a one-time revenue opportunity. You are treated as a neighbor.

The location itself reflects this philosophy. The clinic is on the second floor of a building on Seorae-ro, the main street running through the village. It is quiet, unhurried, and deliberately unpretentious. There are no flashy signs or aggressive marketing. Just a calm, professional space where good dentistry happens, one patient at a time.

What Patients Say

Words from Dr. Choi are one thing. Words from the people who have sat in her chair are another. Here are a few things international patients have shared about their experience:

A Message from Dr. Choi

"I know that visiting a dentist in a foreign country is a big decision. You are trusting someone you have never met with something deeply personal — your health, your comfort, your smile. I do not take that trust lightly.

My promise to you is simple: I will be honest. I will tell you what I see, explain what I recommend, and give you the space to decide what feels right for you. I will never push a treatment you do not need. I will never rush you. And I will always treat you with the same care I would want for my own family.

If you are thinking about visiting but are not sure where to start, send me a message. No commitment, no pressure — just a conversation. Tell me what is on your mind, share a photo if you like, and I will give you my honest thoughts. That is all a first step needs to be.

I look forward to meeting you."

— Dr. Choi Sun-hee, Seoraesun Dental Clinic

Frequently Asked Questions