Dental Tourism Continues To Rise Despite Warnings
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- Published: Monday, 15 March 2021 09:44
- Written by Chris Tapper
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Turkey’s dental tourism industry attracted 100,000 foreigners in 2020 according to latest figures.
The Daily Sabah reported that the figures were expected to surpass even numbers for 2019. The news comes as Turkey announced vaccinated Britons would be allowed to visit Turkey from May 17.
There are no figures available for the numbers of UK patients travelling to Turkey for dental treatment, but many UK dentists have anecdotal stories of patients travelling abroad for treatment because of Turkey’s perceived low prices and then requiring follow-up treatment when problems occur.
‘Chairperson of the Dental Supplies Industry and Businessmen’s Association (DİŞSİAD), Erkan Uçar, said in 2020 the number of foreigners who chose Turkey for dental treatments reached 100,000 and that this number is set to gradually increase once the world turns toward a post-virus normalization.’
“We expect at least a 15% increase,” he said in a statement issued by DİŞSİAD. Adding “We expect the transaction volumes to exceed 2019 figures in 2021,” he said.
He noted that Turkey has many advantages in terms of health tourism. “Being a tourism country, having advanced technologies, trained dentists and price advantages in treatments, are the main reasons why our country is being preferred,” Mr Uçar said, adding that aesthetic dental fillings, whitening treatments, implants, orthodontics, aesthetic lamina, smile aesthetics and dental prostheses are the leading treatments that attract the most foreign customers.
GDPUK did an internet search for current prices of treatments available in Turkey. One clinic offered free accommodation and travel provided total dental treatment exceeded £2750.
At that clinic, prices for Zirconium crowns and veneers were costed at £170, while implants started at £300. Root-fillings were priced at a flat £100, while white fillings were £40.
Tooth extractions were priced at £20, while a closed technique sinus lift costs £225.
In 2029, the Harley Street Smile Clinic warned of problems that can be encountered with patients opting for dental tourism packages. It wrote on its website “Cosmetic dentistry clinics in Turkey are removing the nerves out of young people’s teeth, and fitting crowns instead of veneers – all without the consent or knowledge of the client.”
“Whilst there certainly are a number of genuine dental clinics abroad, it is important to recognise that not every cosmetic dentistry clinic in Turkey will have the standards, skills or qualifications necessary to perform safe cosmetic dentistry.”
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