| The NHS has issued warnings about dental treatment abroad. As a clinic that has been treating British patients for 29 years, we think you deserve an honest answer — not a sales pitch. |
Turkey has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for dental treatment. Hundreds of thousands of British patients travel there every year. Most have excellent outcomes. Some do not.
The difference, in almost every case, comes down to one thing: which clinic they chose.
This guide doesn’t try to convince you that Turkey is perfect. It tries to give you the information you need to make a genuinely informed decision — including the things that could go wrong, and how to avoid them.
What the NHS Warnings Actually Say
The NHS and British Dental Association (BDA) have both issued guidance on dental treatment abroad. It’s worth reading what they actually say — rather than how it’s been reported.
Neither the NHS nor the BDA advises against dental treatment abroad as a category. What they advise is:
| What the NHS / BDA Advise | What They Do NOT Say |
| Research your clinic thoroughly before bookingVerify the qualifications of your treating dentistEnsure a clear aftercare plan is in place before you travelBe realistic about what can be achieved in a short timeframeEnsure your travel insurance covers dental complications | They do not say Turkey is unsafeThey do not advise against all treatment abroadThey do not claim Turkish clinics use inferior materialsThey do not say qualified Turkish dentists are less skilledThey do not advise against implants, veneers, or crowns abroad |
In other words: the NHS concerns are about due diligence, not about Turkey specifically. The same concerns would apply to any significant medical decision made without adequate research.
“The key issue is not where treatment takes place, but whether the clinic and clinician are appropriately qualified and experienced — and whether adequate aftercare is in place.” — British Dental Association guidance on dental tourism
The Real Risks — and How Common Are They?
To give you an honest picture, here are the genuine risks associated with dental treatment abroad, and what we know about how frequently they occur:
| Risk | What Can Go Wrong | How to Mitigate It |
| Inexperienced clinician | Implants placed incorrectly, veneers that don’t fit, nerve damage from poor planning | Choose clinics with named, verifiable clinicians and a long track record of complex cases |
| Poor materials | Early failure, staining, cracking — particularly with veneers and crowns | Ask for the specific material brand before treatment. Reputable clinics confirm this in writing |
| Rushed treatment | Trying to complete too much in one visit; inadequate healing time between procedures | Be realistic about timelines. Ask your clinic how long your case will take — and why |
| No aftercare plan | Problems arise after returning home with no clear path to resolution | Confirm in writing: what is the guarantee? How is follow-up managed remotely? |
| Communication issues | Misunderstandings about treatment scope, costs, or expected outcomes | Insist on full written treatment plans and itemised quotes in English before you agree to anything |
Every one of these risks is real. Every one of them is also largely avoidable — if you choose your clinic carefully and ask the right questions before you book.
The Antalya Market: What Has Changed in the Last Three Years
The dental tourism boom in Turkey has created a two-tier market. On one side: established, experienced clinics with long track records, international accreditation, and named specialist clinicians. On the other: newer clinics — some opened as recently as 2022 or 2023 — that have entered the market to capitalise on growing demand, without the same depth of experience or clinical infrastructure.
| 300+New dental clinics opened in Antalya in 2022 alone | 29Years Our Dentist Abroad has been operating in Lara | AACIOur international accreditation standard | 0Cases referred to legal dispute in 29 years |
This is not to say that every newer clinic is poor — some are excellent. But experience genuinely matters in dentistry, particularly for complex procedures like full-arch implants, bone grafting, and remedial work on failed previous treatment. A clinic that opened in 2022 has not yet encountered the full range of complications and edge cases that a clinic operating since 1995 has.
How to Tell a Safe Clinic From an Unsafe One
Here is a practical checklist of what to look for — and what should give you pause.
| Green Flags — Signs a Clinic Is Trustworthy |
| ✓ A long, verifiable history of treating international patients (10+ years minimum) |
| ✓ Named clinicians with published qualifications — dentistry school, postgraduate training, years of practice |
| ✓ International accreditation: look for AACI, JCI, or Turkish Ministry of Health authorisation |
| ✓ Written, itemised GBP quotes with full detail of what is and is not included |
| ✓ A clear, written aftercare and guarantee policy — not vague reassurances |
| ✓ Willingness to confirm the specific brand and model of implant or material before treatment |
| ✓ Patient testimonials with verifiable details — not stock-photo reviews |
| Red Flags — Reasons to Look Elsewhere |
| ✓ Very recently established (under 3–4 years) with limited track record |
| ✓ Vague about which dentist will treat you — “our experienced team” tells you nothing |
| ✓ Unwilling to provide a written, itemised quote before you travel |
| ✓ Prices that seem implausibly low even by Turkish standards — this usually signals material compromises |
| ✓ No clear aftercare policy or guarantee — or guarantees with no mechanism for enforcement |
| ✓ Pressure to book quickly or accept a discount for immediate payment |
| ✓ Before-and-after photos that look like stock imagery rather than real cases |
What Our 29-Year Track Record Means for Your Safety
Safety in dentistry is not primarily about technology or price. It’s about clinical judgement — knowing when to proceed, when to wait, when a case is more complex than it first appears, and how to manage complications when they arise.
That kind of judgement is built over thousands of cases, across decades of practice. At Our Dentist Abroad, our lead implantologist has been placing implants for over 20 years. Our prosthodontist has been managing complex restorations for 18 years. Our cosmetic dentist has completed over 1,000 veneer cases. These are not estimates — they are verifiable records we are happy to provide.
We have treated patients who came to us after problems at other clinics — in Turkey and elsewhere. Remedial work requires a level of diagnostic experience that newer clinics cannot offer. We are straightforward with every patient about what is and is not achievable in their case.
“My UK dentist was worried when I said I was going to Turkey. When I came back and showed her the implant passport and the documentation, she said she was genuinely impressed — both with the work and with how thoroughly it was recorded.” — Patient from Bristol, 2024
Our Accreditation and Clinical Standards
Our Dentist Abroad holds accreditation from the American Accreditation Commission International (AACI) and operates under Turkish Ministry of Health authorisation for international health tourism. This means:
| Clinical Standards | Patient Protection |
| CE-certified implant and restoration materialsEU-standard sterilisation and infection control protocolsSingle-use surgical instruments where applicableFull 3D CBCT diagnostic imaging for all implant casesDigital treatment planning with patient-approved outcomes | Written treatment plans and itemised quotes in EnglishNamed clinicians — you know who is treating youWritten guarantee for all work carried outFull documentation provided for your UK dentistRemote aftercare support by WhatsApp, email, and phone |
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the NHS actually banned dental treatment abroad?
No. The NHS has issued guidance advising patients to research clinics carefully before travelling — the same advice that applies to any significant medical decision. There is no ban or formal recommendation against dental treatment abroad. Many UK patients are treated abroad every year with excellent outcomes.
What should I do if something goes wrong after I return to the UK?
Contact the clinic that treated you immediately. A reputable clinic will have a clear protocol for remote consultation and, if necessary, for you to return for remedial work. At Our Dentist Abroad, we provide a written guarantee for all treatment and remain available by WhatsApp and email indefinitely after your return. We also provide a full treatment summary for your UK dentist, who can manage any follow-up care locally.
How do I verify a Turkish clinic’s accreditation?
International accreditation such as AACI (American Accreditation Commission International) can be verified directly on the accrediting body’s website. Turkish Ministry of Health authorisation for international health tourism is also publicly verifiable. Ask the clinic for their accreditation certificate and check it independently. Any reputable clinic will welcome this.
Is it safe to have multiple procedures done at once?
This depends entirely on the specific procedures and your individual case. Combining procedures that make clinical sense together — for example, a veneer course alongside teeth whitening — is reasonable. Combining major surgical work (implants, bone grafts) with extensive cosmetic work in a single short visit is generally not advisable and should be questioned. At Our Dentist Abroad, we will always advise against any treatment plan that we believe is clinically inappropriate, regardless of what a patient requests.
What does a written guarantee actually cover?
Our written guarantee covers material failure and clinical complications arising from the treatment we carry out. For implants: if an implant fails during osseointegration or within the guarantee period due to our placement, we replace it at no cost. For veneers and crowns: if a restoration chips, cracks, or debonds due to a manufacturing or placement fault within the guarantee period, we replace it at no cost. The guarantee does not cover damage caused by trauma, grinding (without a night guard), or failure to follow aftercare instructions.
Can I see the credentials of the dentist who will treat me before I book?
Yes — and we encourage you to ask. We will provide the full credentials of your treating clinician before you commit to anything: their dental school, postgraduate qualifications, specialist certifications, and years of clinical experience. This is information you should expect from any clinic you consider.
| Questions about safety or suitability? Talk to our patient coordinator before you book — no obligation, no pressure, just honest answers. |