Getting Teeth Done Abroad (2026 Guide)
By Adam Smith, Head of Patient Research
Updated 28 January 2026 · Dental tourism researcher · Clinic vetting specialist · 40+ clinics assessed on-site
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ertan Etemoglu, Lead Dentist & Co-Founder
Tower Dental Clinic, Istanbul · 26 years in practice · 8,000+ patients/year · Turkish & American Dental Association member · Featured on Reuters
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Choosing a country, finding a clinic, what to pack, how to prepare. The complete guide to dental treatment abroad.
You're thinking about getting dental work abroad but you don't know where to start. Every website says something different. The prices seem too good to be true. And the Facebook groups are full of people who either loved it or are warning you to run.
Here's a straightforward guide to how it actually works — from research to recovery.
Which Countries Are Best for Dental Work?
Five countries dominate. Each has different strengths:
| Country | Flight from UK | Best For | Price vs UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 3.5-4 hours | Veneers, implants, full mouth | 60-70% cheaper |
| Hungary | 2.5 hours | Implants, crowns, bridges | 50-60% cheaper |
| Poland | 2-2.5 hours | Implants, crowns, general | 50-60% cheaper |
| Spain | 2-2.5 hours | Implants, orthodontics | 30-40% cheaper |
| Dubai | 7 hours | Premium cosmetic, veneers | 20-40% cheaper |
Turkey leads in volume. Istanbul alone has over 500 clinics catering to international patients. The combination of aggressive pricing, modern facilities, and strong tourism infrastructure makes it the default choice.
Hungary — specifically Budapest — pioneered dental tourism 20+ years ago. Still maintains a reputation for quality implant work.
Poland is rising fast. Closest to the UK, EU-regulated, increasingly competitive on price.
What Treatments Make Sense Abroad?
Not all dental treatments are worth the journey. The sweet spot: treatments where UK costs are high, multiple appointments can be condensed into a week, and savings significantly exceed travel costs.
Worth the Trip
| Treatment | Why |
|---|---|
| Dental implants (multiple) | Savings of £5,000-£20,000. Multiple appointments fit into a week. |
| All-on-4 / All-on-6 | UK cost £12,000-£35,000 per jaw. Abroad: £3,500-£7,000. |
| Veneers (8-20) | Smile makeovers save £4,000-£12,000. Lab work done locally. |
| Full mouth crowns | 10-20 crowns at £200-£300 each vs £600-£1,000 each in UK. |
| Smile makeovers | Combination treatments with the biggest absolute savings. |
Skip the Flight
| Treatment | Why |
|---|---|
| Single filling | Cost too low to justify travel |
| Single crown | Savings of £300-£500 don't offset travel |
| Routine check-up | No financial benefit |
| Orthodontics (braces) | Requires monthly adjustments over 12-24 months |
| Emergency treatment | Time-sensitive, not plannable |
The Real Process
Before You Travel
Get a proper assessment first. This prevents the biggest problem: arriving and discovering you need different (usually pricier) treatment than expected. An online dental assessment maps your teeth, identifies issues, recommends treatments. You'll know exactly what you need before any clinic sees you.
Compare clinic quotes. Armed with your assessment, verified clinics provide quotes based on your specific needs. Compare prices, check reviews, verify credentials.
Book clinic first, then travel. Confirm your treatment dates. Then book flights and hotel. Many clinics offer partner hotel rates.
Gather your records. Recent X-rays (OPG or CBCT scans), medication list, medical history. Email these to the clinic beforehand.
During Treatment
Day 1: Arrive, check into hotel. Rest if it's an afternoon arrival.
Day 2: Clinic consultation. Physical examination, fresh X-rays/CT scan, treatment plan confirmation. For veneers: teeth preparation and impressions.
Days 3-5: Treatment appointments. Implants get placed. Veneers get fitted.
Days 6-7: Follow-up, final adjustments, aftercare instructions.
After You Return
Week 1: Follow aftercare strictly. Soft diet for implants. Avoid very hot/cold foods for veneers.
Month 1: Report any sensitivity or adjustment issues to your clinic. Reputable clinics provide WhatsApp or video consultation support.
6 months: See your UK dentist for routine check-up. They can monitor the work and provide hygiene treatment.
What You'll Actually Save
Real examples including all travel costs:
| Treatment | UK Cost | Abroad (Turkey) | Total incl. Travel | Actual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 E.max veneers | £14,000 | £4,000 | £5,200 | £8,800 |
| All-on-4 (both jaws) | £28,000 | £8,000 | £9,400 | £18,600 |
| 6 implants + crowns | £15,000 | £4,200 | £5,500 | £9,500 |
| 10 zirconia crowns | £8,000 | £2,000 | £3,200 | £4,800 |
Travel costs: flights £250 return, hotel £100/night x 7 nights, food and transport £350.
The Big Questions
"What if something goes wrong after I'm home?"
Good clinics offer 5-10 year guarantees on implants, 3-5 years on veneers/crowns. They cover revision work if anything fails within warranty. Your UK dentist can handle routine follow-up care.
"Are the dentists qualified?"
Dental education in Turkey takes 5 years — same as the UK. Hungarian and Polish dentists hold EU-recognised qualifications. Many trained or worked in Western Europe. Check your specific dentist's specialisation and experience.
"Is it safe?"
Accredited clinics (JCI, ISO 9001) follow identical sterilisation, equipment, and safety protocols to UK practices. The materials are the same — Nobel Biocare, Straumann, E.max — all manufactured globally.
"Language barriers?"
International dental clinics employ English-speaking staff. Most assign a patient coordinator who handles communication, transfers, and scheduling.
Getting Started
Start with a dental assessment. Takes 10 minutes. Costs nothing. Gives you:
- Clear picture of what treatment you need
- Personalised recommendations
- Real prices from verified clinics
Then you can decide whether to go ahead — and where.
Start your dental assessment — no obligation, just clarity on your options.
Related: Best Country for Dental Implants (2026 Comparison)
See also: Is Dental Tourism Safe?
The Smart Way to Start
Don't contact clinics directly as your first step. Figure out what you need first.
The dental assessment maps your teeth in 2 minutes and tells you what treatment you're looking at. The savings calculator shows you what it costs at verified clinics vs home prices.
We've verified every clinic on our platform — met them in person or via video — and removed eight that didn't meet our standards. Unlike directories that list anyone who pays, we vet and reject. Your dental tourism consultant manages the entire process, and your deposit is held by us until you arrive and confirm you're happy.
Real results from verified clinics
Drag the slider to compare before & after
Suave Clinic
Verified clinicFull smile restoration · Istanbul
MDental Clinic
Verified clinicFull smile makeover · E-max veneers · Budapest
MDental Clinic
Verified clinicCrowns & restoration · Budapest
Before → AfterTower Dental Clinic
Verified clinicHollywood smile · E-max veneers · Istanbul
References & Sources
All clinical claims, pricing data, and statistics in this article are based on peer-reviewed research, official regulatory sources, and publicly verifiable data. We invite you to verify anything before making a treatment decision.
- 1.BBC News, "Turkey teeth: The dental tourism risks patients don't see." February 2023.
- 2.BBC, "Turkey Teeth: Bargain Smiles or Big Mistake?" — documentary investigating dental tourism risks, 2022.
- 3.Euronews, "Medical tourism: Dental expert explains why Turkey teeth can be a costly mistake." October 2024.
- 4.General Dental Council (UK), "Going abroad for dental treatment" — patient guidance.
- 5.British Dental Association (BDA), "Dental tourism: Patients need to know the risks."
- 6.T.C. Saglik Bakanligi (Turkish Ministry of Health), Health Tourism Authorisation Regulations.
- 7.Kontakiotis, E.G. et al. (2015), "A prospective study of the incidence of asymptomatic pulp necrosis following crown preparation," Int. Endod. J., 48(6), 512-517.
- 8.Pjetursson, B.E. et al. (2012), "A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses after at least 5 years," Clin. Oral Implants Res., 23(S6), 22-38.
- 9.Sailer, I. et al. (2015), "All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses: a systematic review," Dent. Mater., 31(6), 603-624.
- 10.Türkiye Today, "1.5 million health tourists visited Türkiye in 2024, generating $3 billion in revenue." 2025.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not replace a clinical examination. Treatment outcomes vary between patients. Always consult a qualified dental professional.
About MyDentalFly
MyDentalFly is a UK-based platform that builds your treatment plan and matches you with vetted specialist clinics abroad — and a dentist at the clinic reviews and confirms every plan before you pay anything.
Our interactive assessment evaluates your dental needs and builds a bespoke package: every treatment explained, a matched clinic with reasons why, your named dentist, flight estimates, transport, and accommodation — all in one place. We maintain a small, vetted network across Turkey, Hungary and Poland, visit clinics in person, help arrange CBCT scans before you fly, and stay with you through the entire journey. Compare. Save. Smile.
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Clinically reviewed before booking
Every dental package built on MyDentalFly is reviewed by a qualified dentist before it gets accepted. Our clinical reviewers include specialists like Dr. Hubert Trępatowski — 800+ All-on-4 procedures, trained under Professor Paulo Malo (pioneer of the All-on-4 technique), graduate of Jagiellonian University Medical Faculty, Krakow.
About the author
Adam Smith
Head of Patient Research, MyDentalFly
Adam leads patient research at MyDentalFly, personally vetting clinics across Turkey, Hungary, and Poland. He has reviewed over 200 clinic proposals, analysed patient outcomes, and helped coordinate treatment plans for patients across the UK, USA, and Europe.
Clinically reviewed by
Dr. Ertan Etemoglu
Lead Dentist & Co-Founder, Tower Dental Clinic
26 years in practice · 8,000+ patients/year · Turkish & American Dental Association member · Featured on Reuters
Content last reviewed: 14 July 2026
