These days it might look easy to find an affordable dentist abroad online — but there are a lot of things you need to be careful about.
Wherever you live, good dental treatment can be a challenge. Even if you can afford private treatment in the UK, you often have to wait weeks to get it done. In recent years, many people have discovered a smart way to save: every summer, most of us holiday in countries that are more affordable than home — so why not have our dental treatment there too? That’s how dental travel was born. But with so many countries to choose from, which are best for dental treatment abroad, and which dentists can you actually rely on?
Which Country Is Most Affordable for Dental Treatment?
We’ve all heard about destinations that are supposed to be affordable and good — but you can’t be sure until you look properly. One quick way to compare the purchasing power of different countries is the Big Mac Index, and by that measure, Turkey has consistently ranked among the most affordable countries in Europe. If you’re in Europe and want to fly just three hours for your treatment, Turkey is one of the most accessible options available. For a fuller comparison, see our guide on the best places abroad for dental treatment.
Transportation Matters
When choosing a country for treatment, ask yourself: do you really want to fly 13 hours for it? If you’re having dental implants, you’ll need to travel twice, which could mean 48 hours of flying in total. If you’re in Europe, it makes sense to choose somewhere close — and Turkey is one of the nearest options, with many direct flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, and beyond. You can be in Turkey in around three hours. Our guide on how to travel to Turkey from the UK has all the details.
What About the Holiday?
Nobody says no to a good holiday. So it makes sense to choose a country that’s affordable and offers plenty of culture and enjoyment. Turkey does both. In Istanbul, you’ll find incredible history and culture — watching the Bosphorus and enjoying Turkish cuisine. In Antalya, great beaches, ancient sites, and some of the best holiday resorts are waiting for you.
How Can You Find a Dentist in Turkey?
So how do you find a good dentist in Turkey — just by Googling? That’s a start. A search for “dentist in Turkey” will give you plenty of results, but be careful about who will actually treat you. The most popular clinics often have long queues, just like in the UK, so if you want the best service, you want to be treated as a priority patient. Don’t just click the first result: the ads at the top are simply the clinics paying the most, so it’s worth looking further down the page and contacting several clinics directly. You can also try medical-tourism directories like WhatClinic or Dental Departures, but bear in mind they often surface the same big advertisers, don’t always give you the clinic’s direct contact details, and can lead to a lot of spam calls — so think twice before handing your number to just anyone. The best starting point is to look at the clinic’s own dentists and credentials directly.
Get an X-Ray and Send Good Photos
The most important thing when finding a dentist abroad is knowing what you actually need. Do you have an X-ray? An X-ray is the best basis for a treatment plan, because no one can see the real state of your mouth from photos alone. Ideally, visit a dentist in the UK and get an X-ray. If you really can’t get one, send clear photos of your mouth from five angles:
- Front view, biting together
- Left side, biting together
- Right side, biting together
- Open mouth, upper jaw
- Open mouth, lower jaw
Don’t send a quote request with just a line of text like “I need veneers” — the clinic can’t know what you really need. You might not need veneers at all; you could have a serious problem at the root of a tooth. Remember, your final plan and exact price are always confirmed at an in-person consultation in Turkey.
Compare Dental Treatment Prices
Once you’ve sent your quote requests, the price offers will start coming in. Nearly all clinics offer the same treatments, but the quality of the work and the free services included vary a lot. It helps to understand the differences in materials — for example, do you know the difference between zirconium and E-max? Do you want E-max (which looks the most like natural teeth) or the bright-white look of zirconium? You can compare our dental treatment prices as a benchmark.
What About Dental Implant Brands?
Are you sure the clinic is really offering you genuine Nobel Biocare or Straumann? If the price seems too good to be true, remember that Straumann alone has many different implant lines and quality levels. It pays to do your homework — our guide on why not all implant brands are the same explains what to check.
Watch for Hidden Costs
Turkish people are generally generous and won’t nickel-and-dime you — but you don’t know every clinic in the world, so always ask about the small things: X-rays, CT scans, temporary teeth, and so on. Some clinics charge extra for these. It may not be much, but the whole point is to save money. Airport transfers are usually free, too, so ask. Better still, choose a clinic with an all-inclusive package so there are no surprises.
How Can I Pay in Turkey?
Turkey is very advanced when it comes to card payments — you can pay with any major credit card, though it’s worth checking about Amex (American Express) specifically. Dentists in Turkey won’t charge you a card commission. And if you’d prefer to pay in cash, you can usually get a discount of 5% to 10%.
Do Dentists Abroad Speak English?
English is taught in Turkish schools from an early age, and Turkish dentists receive an excellent university education, so many of them speak English well. At the very least, you’ll always have someone to talk to — patient coordinators, in particular, are usually very fluent.
Is It Safe to Have Dental Treatment Abroad?
Yes. Overall, the vast majority of UK and US patients are happy with the treatment they receive abroad — you can read more on whether it’s safe to have dental implants in Turkey. That said, this is still healthcare, and no treatment is completely without risk, which is exactly why a proper “No Worries” warranty matters: whatever the issue, even a small ache, your dentist in Turkey should put it right.
What Is a No-Worries Warranty?
A No-Worries warranty means that if you ever need a revision, your dentist will carry out the corrective treatment free of charge — and your flights and accommodation for the return visit can be covered too. Most reputable clinics in Turkey offer this, so make sure yours does, and read the details carefully before you sign anything. You can see the full terms of our own guarantee on our warranties page.
Get Your Free Assessment
The easiest way to start is to send us what you have. Start a free online dental consultation — send us your X-ray or five clear photos, and our team will give you an honest treatment plan and a transparent, all-inclusive quote, with no obligation.
Uğur Gültekinler D.D.S. graduated with his dental degree from the Faculty of Dentistry in Izmir, Turkey, in 2003. With over two decades of experience, he has developed a deep passion for cosmetic dentistry, using only the finest techniques and most advanced materials to create beautiful smiles.
Co-founder of Smile Dental, one of Turkey’s most advanced dental clinics, Uğur Gültekinler D.D.S. is our lead smile designer — combining years of hands-on expertise with cutting-edge digital smile design technology. Working closely with each patient, he tailors treatments to individual goals using his extensive knowledge in dental crowns and veneers.
Uğur Gültekinler D.D.S. is fluent in Turkish and English.
