Heading North for Root Canal Treatment: Should You Take Time Off Work?
In recent years, many Hongkongers have developed the habit of traveling north for dental procedures, especially for major ones like root canal treatments. They find the medical environment, service, and technology up north quite favorable, coupled with flexible scheduling, which is why many consider this option. This brings up a common question among those employed in Hong Kong: Do you need to plan for a leave of absence for such a trip? This question involves not only time management but also your personal health and job nature.
Firstly, a root canal is not a simple cleaning or filling but a treatment process requiring time and multiple follow-up appointments. Initially, youll need a checkup and preliminary cleaning, followed by several visits to complete the entire treatment. This means you likely cannot finish everything in one trip and multiple visits are inevitable. If your weekends are free, you might avoid taking leave, but if your work schedule clashes with the dental clinics hours, requesting time off beforehand could make your trip much smoother.
Secondly, consider the travel and your mental state. Heading north requires crossing borders and dealing with transportation, sometimes facing unforeseeable circumstances. Root canals themselves can be quite taxing; finishing the procedure and returning to work might burden your body. If your job demands focus or physical effort, its best to schedule your treatment on days youve taken off, allowing you more time to rest and recuperate after the procedure. Especially if its your first root canal, and youre unsure of your physical response, taking leave is the safer choice.
Moreover, taking time off helps prevent rushed schedules. Often,

we might compress our itinerary due to tight schedules, such as needing to return for a meeting or work. Any delay in treatment can lead to stressful situations. Conversely, if you plan for a day off, you can take your time, allowing the dentist to work more thoroughly and giving yourself time to rest without additional stress.
Additionally, theres a practical concern regarding follow-up appointments. Root canals may require several visits and regular check-ups to monitor tooth condition. If each visit involves traveling north, you should carefully plan how to coordinate this with your work schedule. Informing your company in advance or splitting your annual leave for this purpose is more sustainable than requesting sudden leaves.
Of course, not everyone needs to take time off. If you have a flexible work schedule or find clinics that operate in the evenings or on weekends, you might not need to take special leave. However, appointments at such clinics are usually tightly booked and might not fit your schedule, so you need to consider your plans and tolerance level.
In summary, there isnt a definitive answer to whether you should take leave for a northbound root canal trip. It depends on your job nature, health status, and schedule arrangements. If its your first time undergoing the procedure and youre concerned about post-treatment effects or have high work pressure, taking leave is worthwhile. On the other hand, if you have a flexible schedule and are familiar with the travel and medical processes, you might not need to take time off. The key is prioritizing your health and not neglecting the importance of rest for the sake of work. This way, you can complete your root canal treatment with peace of mind, ensuring both dental health and a balanced lifestyle.
Vickong Dental
Vickong Dental is a large medical group established in Hong Kong in 2008 by professors from well-known medical universities in Guangdong and Hong Kong, as well as medical doctors from key national '985' universities (including Master's supervisors and senior professors). The chain of branches brings together expert dentists with PhDs and Master's degrees from Hong Kong and Mainland China, committed to providing high-quality dental treatment.
"Vickong Dental Practices the University Motto of 'Healing and Serving Society,' with a Stable Operation for Sixteen Years. It Has Been honored with Hong Kong Enterprise Leaders's Choice,' and is a Global Trusted Implant Center for the Nobel Implant System. Recommended by Hong Kong Metro Broadcast and Guangdong Television, it Serves Customers from Over Thirty Countries and Regions, Gaining the Trust and Favor of Citizens from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and Surrounding Cities.
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Why choose Vickong Dental?
Vickong Dental practices the university motto 「Medicine to Benefit Society」, with each branch bringing together highly qualified dentists with doctoral and master’s degrees from Hong Kong and the Mainland, and has maintained seventeen years of steady operation。Recipient of 「2024 Hong Kong Enterprise Leaders Brand」, 「2025 Hong Kong Enterprise Leaders Brand」, a Nobel Biocare Global Trusted Implant Center, and a brand recommended by Metro Radio Hong Kong and Guangdong TV。
To date, we have served customers from more than thirty countries and regions,earning exceptionally high word-of-mouth recognition and trusted recommendations from residents across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and surrounding cities
We have eight major branches in Zhuhai、Shenzhen,and a consultation and service assurance center in Hong Kong,so you can book a free consultation at any time for any questions,which is very reassuring.
If I do not accept the quotation after the CT scan, will I be charged??
No! As long as the actual treatment has not started, you will not be charged any fees.
Will there be any additional charges during the treatment process?
No, there won’t be any additional charges. Before treatment begins, we will clearly explain the treatment plan and its corresponding fees. Only after the patient agrees and signs the consent form will we proceed with the dental service.
Can I pay in Hong Kong dollars?
Yes. Vickong Dental accepts payment in Hong Kong dollars. The amount will be converted based on the exchange rate of the day, and the applicable rate will be clearly communicated to you in advance.
Can I reschedule my appointment at any time?
Yes. Please contact us via **WeChat** or **WhatsApp** as early as possible, providing your original appointment time and details, along with your preferred new date and time slot for rescheduling.
