The Nowon Cultural Center, led by Director Oh Chi-jeong, is hosting a public health lecture titled "100-Year Life! How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy" to help residents manage their dental health and reduce treatment costs in later life.
The center has invited Bae Han-eol, director of Design Dental Clinic, to deliver the free lecture at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.
The session is designed as a practical, lifestyle-focused talk that gives residents easy-to-understand information on preserving their natural teeth as long as possible while keeping dental costs manageable.
The lecture goes well beyond basic dental hygiene tips. Under the theme "The more you know about dental costs, the more you save — straight from a dentist," it covers the national health insurance system and other public support programs, how to choose dental insurance, what to check before having a tooth extracted, and what questions patients should ask their dentist before agreeing to treatment.
The first topic covers programs that can lower dental costs — particularly national health insurance coverage for implants and dentures for people aged 65 and older. Bae will explain eligibility requirements and coverage details in plain terms so residents do not miss out on benefits simply because they were unaware of them.
The second topic addresses how to choose dental insurance wisely, a question many consumers have. Bae will distinguish between situations where dental insurance is genuinely useful and those where the cost-benefit ratio warrants closer scrutiny, depending on a person's current dental condition and likely future treatment needs.
The lecture will also cover what to confirm before having a tooth pulled and how to prevent problems and maintain natural teeth for as long as possible. Bae will advise patients on what to ask their dentist before deciding on a course of treatment, so they can fully understand their condition and the necessity of any proposed procedure.
Bae also plans to introduce a "dental consultation checklist" — a set of questions patients can use to confirm the necessity of treatment, available alternatives and expected costs, ensuring they receive adequate explanation and can make informed decisions. Reducing vague anxiety about dental treatment and closing the information gap are the central goals of the lecture.
Bae has served as a board member of the Nowon Cultural Center since February 2019, contributing to the preservation and development of local traditional culture and supporting the center's projects. As a medical professional, he has consistently carried out oral health support and community service activities in the area.
In February 2019, he signed a sponsorship agreement with Pyeonghwa General Social Welfare Center and has since participated in charitable activities including the "Han Greu Day" campaign. That same month, he concluded an agreement with the Nowon-gu Senior Care Support Center and began providing regular free oral health checkups for elderly users of the center.
In 2021, he partnered with the Seoul Nowon Regional Self-Sufficiency Center to offer free dental checkups and scaling to local residents participating in self-sufficiency programs, further extending his community service through his medical expertise.
"This lecture is not a venue to promote any particular clinic or treatment," said Park Yeong-rae, secretary-general of the Nowon Cultural Center. "We hope it will serve as a public health resource — made possible through a pro bono contribution — that gives residents the accurate dental information they need to take good care of their teeth."
The lecture is free and open to all Nowon-gu residents, with seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents can register through the Nowon Cultural Center's website. For further details, contact the center's administrative office.
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