Smiles Better

A crack team of undercover Time Out reporters get their teeth cleaned at six of Beijing’s top dentists

Most thorough Bayley & Jackson

Bayley & Jackson’s Dr Eddy Si is legendary around town for his thoroughness. Before you start, expect a detailed conversation about your dental history: whether you’ve had braces, the current state of your teeth, that kind of thing.

When it comes to the cleaning, you’ll be fitted with modern tinted glasses, which shield your eyes from the bright lights and any wayward fluid.

The assistant hygienist is stellar at sucking up excess dribble, keeping the need to spit to a minimum, and the work itself is of the highest quality.

Afterwards, Dr Si uses diagrams to explain how best to look after your particular set of gnashers, even going so far as to identify which teeth are in the greatest danger of developing cavities, and providing dental floss to those who’ve been neglecting that part of their routine.

Cost of a clean: 664RMB + 456RMB consultation fee

Best chair-side manner Arrail

Arrail’s Dr Shirley Xu is one of the friendliest dentists around, putting you at ease with a mix of personal and professional chit-chat.

The 30-minute cleaning is excellent, with protective glasses and the hygienist sucking up all excess spittle. Nevertheless, there are lots of chances to break for a rinse and soothing face wipe.

If you need a cavity filled (as Time Out did), Dr Shirley Xu can do it without any needles and (at least in our case) very little pain for 600RMB.

Cost of a clean: 400RMB + 100RMB registration fee (first time only)

Best value Jiamei Dental

Jiamei is a no-nonsense clinic with blue-washed walls, and is cheap, clean and friendly – expect big white welcoming smiles at reception.

Be aware, though, that no one speaks English. Once in the chair for the cleaning, a sterile surgeon’s cap is stretched over the top of your head, eyes and nose to protect you from any stray spit.

Having a cavity taken care of costs 300-350RMB, but you’ll probably want to have a good grasp of Chinese if you’re going to go ahead with the extra work.

Cost of a clean: 260RMB

Most efficient Beijing United

Beijing United’s very short waiting times means it stands out for its efficiency. The cleaning, by an American dentist, is very thorough – Time Out saw an amazing difference after an hour, partly because we hadn’t been to the dentist in over three years and had to undo years of smoking and coffee drinking.

The dentist also noticed previous dental issues, such as a crack in one tooth and an emerging cavity, the latter of which he suggested we should see to.

Additional treatments are on the pricey side, with an x-ray costing 1,200RMB, but you’ll be in safe and competent hands here.

Cost of a clean: 650RMB

Best hi-tech service King’s Dental

The technology at King’s Dental is among the most impressive in Beijing. During the initial consultation, Dr Liang not only looks at your teeth, but takes photos, and will talk you through any problems she finds.

During cleaning, the hygienist drapes a gauze cover over your face, with just a small opening at the mouth.

Although that may sound sinister, it actually makes the whole process more relaxing and comfortable; you can still see, but you’re not staring straight at the hygienist’s face when you open your eyes.

Impressively, King’s can mould and fit fake teeth in just a day; in the US, the whole process normally takes at least a fortnight.

Cost of a clean: 300RMB + 200RMB registration fee (first time only)

Best for a quick check-up SDM Dental

SDM Dental is good if you’re on the go, but don’t expect the detailed consultation that you often get at some of Beijing’s other dentists. The cleaning is effective, but when Time Out went, we were assigned a slightly stand-offish dentist, who didn’t put us at ease as much as at the other surgeries.

Cost of a clean: 420RMB + 50RMB registration fee (first time only) + 50RMB check-up fee (each time)

Dentists

Arrail 208, Tower A, CITIC Building, 19 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district (6500 6473). 朝阳区建国门 外大街19号国际大厦A座208室

Bayley & Jackson 7 Ritan Dong Lu, Chaoyang district (8562 9998). Open 9am-6pm Mon-Fri; 9am-4pm Sat; closed Sun. 朝阳区日坛东路7号

Beijing United 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang district (5927 7059). 朝阳 区将台路2号

Jiamei Dental Andingmen Qiao Nan, Dongcheng district (6405 2708). Open 10am-7pm daily. 东城区安定门 桥南

King’s Dental 118 Beijing Towercrest Plaza, 3 Maizidian Xijie, Nuren Jie, Chaoyang district (8458 0388). Open 9am-9pm daily. 朝阳区 麦子店西街3号新恒基国际大厦1层 118室

SDM Dental B2 level of the China World Tower Shopping Mall, next to the ice rink (6505 9413). Open 9am-8pm daily. 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城