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The Dentist Who Almost Wasn’t: Dr. Phurin Hansakul’s Experiences in Three Countries

– ทญ. มรกต กฤตย์กุลเจริญ –

Dr. Phurin Hansakul, a specialist in implant and prosthodontic dentistry at BNH Hospital, doesn’t force his patients to look after their teeth. It’s not because more problems mean more patients, but because he knows that sustainable care is about more than just treatment; empowering patients with understanding is far more effective than giving orders. This approach means patients sometimes visit him for a comforting chat and leave with a beautiful smile as a bonus. However, before he came to appreciate the value of his work, he almost didn’t become a dentist at all.

A Reluctant Path to Dentistry

Phurin grew up sorting nails, stacking tiles, and managing the cash register at his family’s construction supply store. This upbringing fostered a deep connection to the world of business, and he planned to pursue a degree in business administration. By his final year of secondary school, he had already been accepted into and enrolled in the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy.

However, the Faculty of Dentistry at Mahidol University also offered him a place. He had only submitted his scores on a whim, without preparing for the science-based exams, never expecting to be accepted—nor did he want to be.

“My father asked me to just give dentistry a try,” he recalls. “He said if it didn’t work out, I could always study something else. Business skills are something you can learn later in life.”

And so, at his parents’ request, Phurin became a dental student. During his first year, he couldn’t find any passion for the subject and was on the verge of quitting. By the time he decided, however, it was too late to apply for the course he truly wanted, so he had no choice but to continue.

“The first three years are preclinical science, and I really disliked the rote learning. But when I reached the fourth year and started seeing patients in the clinic, I saw how my studies could solve their problems. I felt useful and more motivated. I started to enjoy it and focused more on my studies.”

Changing Lives Through Dentistry

During his prosthodontics course, Phurin treated an elderly woman who had lost all her teeth. She required weekly appointments at the dental school for over a year, during which he formed a strong bond with her. When the treatment was finally complete, he witnessed her pure joy as she smiled with confidence. It was then he began to feel that prosthodontics might be the right field for him.

After graduating, Dr. Phurin completed his mandatory government service in a community hospital in Na Mon, a small, quiet district in Kalasin province. With only two dentists and a manageable number of non-complex cases, he had time to cycle and research further specialisation.

The following year, he flew to New York City to study implant dentistry at New York University. The bustling city was the complete opposite of tranquil Kalasin. The weather was cold, the cost of living was high, but the greatest challenge was managing the patients—both the complexity of their cases and the diversity of their personalities.

“New Yorkers are a diverse group, and some can be difficult to talk to. I once had a patient who, in the middle of our conversation, suddenly said, ‘I have a knife, you know.’ You have to adapt and always be mindful of your safety. But it was also an exciting experience.”

After two years in New York, Dr. Phurin crossed the Atlantic to the UK to study prosthodontics at the Eastman Dental Institute and Hospital, University College London. There, he encountered a case that profoundly reinforced his belief that his work could change a person’s life.

“The case was incredibly complex and required a multi-disciplinary team. We planned a treatment using implants to replace missing teeth and crowns to restore those that were broken or misshapen. When we finished, the patient cried with joy and wrote a two-page letter thanking everyone on the team. It was a powerful moment for me, realising that a dentist could have such a transformative impact on someone’s life.”

Another challenging case in the UK involved a patient whose long-term depression had led to severe neglect of their dental health, causing tooth wear so extreme that it affected their facial height and ability to chew.

“The difficulty was not just the physical restoration but the patient’s psychological state. I had to build a relationship first to gain their trust. I let them talk, and gradually they opened up about their past traumas. Once they felt comfortable with me, we worked on changing their behaviour and lifestyle, not just fixing their teeth. The treatment took almost two years.”

Upon returning to Thailand last year, Dr. Phurin took on dual roles: teaching at the Faculty of Dentistry at Thammasat University and working at BNH Hospital, where over half of the patients are expatriates. His international experience allows him to connect with them easily, fostering an open environment for treatment

His patient-care philosophy, honed in the UK, aligns perfectly with BNH Hospital’s Complete Care policy, which focuses on integrated, holistic care for the best long-term outcomes. His patients feel comfortable talking with him, and he, in turn, treats them as whole human beings, looking beyond the immediate dental issue to see what else might be affecting their quality of life.

“I want patients to feel like they are not just coming to see a doctor to solve a problem, but to visit a friend they can talk to comfortably, who also happens to fix their teeth.”

A Goldfish for a Son

While many people have cats or dogs, Dr. Phurin’s “child” is a goldfish.

“My condominium doesn’t allow other pets, so I looked into what I could have, and ended up with a goldfish,” he explains. While some may think goldfish are not very interactive, his swims up eagerly whenever he approaches the tank, especially with food. “It’s plump and has a dog-like feel to it. It’s quite cute.”

He feels a strong bond with his pet but has never dared to give it a name. As he notes, goldfish are not as hardy as cats or dogs and could “return to the stars” at any moment.

When he’s not caring for his fish, Dr. Phurin plays tennis and goes to the gym to alleviate the muscle strain from his daily work and to stay agile for his patients.