How to Get Your X-Rays Sent to a Clinic Abroad
Your Turkish clinic needs your dental X-rays before treatment. Here's how to get them from your UK dentist — including the exact email to send.
Every reputable dental clinic abroad will ask for your X-rays before giving you a treatment plan. If a clinic quotes you without seeing any imaging, that's a red flag — they're guessing.
Getting your X-rays from your UK dentist to a clinic in Turkey or Hungary is straightforward, but most people don't know the process. Here's exactly how to do it.
What X-Rays Your Overseas Clinic Needs
| X-Ray Type | What It Shows | When It's Needed |
|---|---|---|
| OPG (Panoramic) | Full jaw, all teeth, bone levels | Always — this is the minimum |
| CBCT (3D Cone Beam) | Detailed 3D bone structure | Implants, sinus lifts, complex cases |
| Periapical | Individual tooth detail | Root canals, specific problem teeth |
| Bitewing | Cavities between teeth | General check, crown planning |
For implant work, clinics need at minimum an OPG. For All-on-4 or bone grafting cases, most clinics want a CBCT scan. A CBCT in the UK costs £150-250. The same scan in Turkey costs £30-50 — so some patients choose to get it done on arrival.
Step 1: Request Your Records from Your UK Dentist
Under UK GDPR, you have the legal right to a copy of your dental records, including all X-rays. Your dentist must provide them — they cannot refuse.
The email to send:
"Dear [Practice Name], I would like to request a copy of my dental records under GDPR Subject Access Request, including all digital X-rays (OPG, periapicals, and CBCT if available) in their original DICOM format. If DICOM is not available, high-resolution JPEG or PNG is acceptable. Please provide these digitally via email or secure file transfer. I understand this request must be fulfilled within 30 days. Kind regards, [Your Name, DOB, Patient Number]"
Key points:
- They have 30 days to respond (most are faster — 1-2 weeks)
- They cannot charge for this under GDPR
- Ask specifically for DICOM format — this is the original high-resolution medical imaging format
- If they only have physical X-ray films, ask them to photograph or scan them at the highest resolution possible
Step 2: Understand the Formats
| Format | Quality | File Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DICOM (.dcm) | Original quality | 5-50 MB per scan | Implant planning, CBCT |
| JPEG (.jpg) | Good if high-res | 1-5 MB | OPG, general assessment |
| PNG (.png) | Better than JPEG | 2-10 MB | When DICOM not available |
| Acceptable | 1-5 MB | If nothing else is available |
Most Turkish clinics accept JPEG or PNG for initial assessment. For detailed implant planning, they'll want DICOM if available.
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Step 3: Send to Your Overseas Clinic
Most clinics communicate via WhatsApp or email. The simplest method:
WhatsApp: Attach the files directly in the chat. WhatsApp compresses images, so for CBCT scans, use email or a file-sharing service instead.
Email: Attach files directly if under 25 MB. For larger CBCT scans, use WeTransfer (free, no account needed, link expires in 7 days) or Google Drive.
What to include in your message:
- Your full name and date of birth
- When the X-rays were taken
- Any treatments you've already had
- What treatment you're enquiring about
- Photos of your teeth (front smile, upper arch, lower arch) — clinics find these helpful alongside X-rays
If Your Dentist Drags Their Feet
Some practices are slow to respond. If you don't hear back within a week:
- Call the practice — a polite phone call often speeds things up
- Remind them of the GDPR timeline — 30 days is the legal maximum
- Offer to collect a USB stick — sometimes easier for the practice than emailing large files
- Contact the ICO — If they refuse or ignore your request beyond 30 days, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk). This rarely happens but the option exists.
Getting Fresh X-Rays in Turkey
If your UK X-rays are older than 6-12 months, or if you don't have a CBCT, many patients just get fresh imaging in Turkey.
| Scan Type | Turkey Price | UK Price |
|---|---|---|
| OPG (Panoramic) | £15-25 | £80 |
| CBCT (3D Cone Beam) | £30-50 | £150-250 |
| Periapical X-ray | £10-15 | £80 |
Most Turkish clinics include an OPG in their initial consultation. Some include CBCT for implant cases. Ask what's included before you fly.
"Check reviews and ask for before/after photos"
Using MyDentalFly to Share Your Records
When you complete a dental assessment on our platform, your dental chart, treatment history, and uploaded X-rays are shared securely with clinics you select. This means:
- Clinics get your complete profile before you arrive
- You get accurate treatment plans based on real data, not guesswork
- No chasing your dentist for records — upload directly
Timeline: When to Start
| When | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks before | Request records from UK dentist |
| 4-6 weeks before | Send X-rays to shortlisted clinics |
| 3-4 weeks before | Receive and compare treatment plans |
| 2 weeks before | Confirm booking, get fresh CBCT if needed on arrival |
Starting early gives you time if your dentist is slow, and lets clinics provide detailed treatment plans rather than rough estimates.
See also: All-on-4 Guide
Next Steps
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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.
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