Getting Teeth Done Abroad (2026 Guide)
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.
See How Much You Could Save
Select your treatments below — takes 30 seconds
Implants
Cosmetic
General
Prices based on verified averages from our partner clinics. Your exact quote may vary based on your specific clinical needs. The assessment takes 2 minutes and gives you personalised pricing.
Still researching? We built this for you.
MyDentalFly is a dental comparison platform with 150+ articles, free interactive tools, and verified clinic data. Explore at your own pace — and when you're ready, the dental health check takes 2 minutes.
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 free dental assessment — no obligation, just clarity on your options.
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 free dental health check 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.
Key Takeaway
Before you book anything, get a dental health check. Knowing exactly what treatment you need — and what it should cost — protects you from surprise bills, unnecessary procedures, and clinics that don't match your needs.
Assessment-led dental comparison platform
Getting dental work abroad is a big decision — and doing it without knowing exactly what you need is risky. Clinics can only give you a proper quote once they understand your teeth. That's why we built a free dental health check that takes 2 minutes and gives you a clear picture before you speak to anyone.
People tell us it's surprisingly easy to use. It took us a long time to build, but the result is an interactive assessment that maps your teeth and identifies what you need — no jargon, no pressure.
How it works
Take the dental health check
2 minutes. Interactive dental chart. Tell us what's bothering you and what you'd like to improve.
Get your dental health report
A clear breakdown of what treatment you need, estimated costs, and how much you could save compared to your home country.
Compare 3 treatment plans
We match you to clinics based on your priorities and send your report to 3 clinics. You get 3 clinically reviewed treatment plans to choose from.
Your own dental consultant
Want someone to handle it all? You get a dental consultant assigned to you who plans everything — from your initial assessment to your treatment abroad — ensuring a seamless journey from your home country to the clinic of your choice.
Take the 2-min dental health checkOr call us: 020 4634 2312Pearl AI
Ask me anything about this article or dental treatment abroad
What brings you here today? Whether you're just researching or ready to get quotes — I can help.
Why use a platform for dental treatment abroad?
Think of us like Booking.com for dental tourism — except we assess you first.
Getting dental work abroad means navigating a different healthcare system, a different language, and clinics you've never visited — all while trying to understand what treatment you actually need. Most people do this alone, piecing together information from WhatsApp messages and online reviews.
MyDentalFly organises the entire process. Your dental needs are assessed before you travel, you compare treatment plans from vetted clinics side by side, and everything — from your initial assessment to your aftercare notes — is documented on your patient portal. We're not a clinic and we don't sell treatment. We're the layer between you and the clinic that keeps everything transparent and on track.
Assessed before you fly
Know exactly what you need before any clinic touches you
Vetted clinics only
We monitor standards and remove clinics that fall short
Everything documented
Treatment plans, clinical notes, and aftercare — all on your portal
Someone in your corner
We speak to the clinic directly if anything needs clarifying
