Travelling for dental treatment | dentaltourism.guide

A half-packed suitcase on a hotel bed with a notebook, passport and boarding pass, and the Bosphorus in the window.

Short answer

Treat the trip as part of the treatment. Plan the number of trips, the days you need to stay and the date you can safely fly before you book anything. Ordinary travel insurance usually does not cover planned treatment or its complications, so check your cover in writing.

Pay in a way that leaves a paper trail, keep every document, and arrange a dentist at home before you go.

Entry and documents

British citizens can visit Türkiye without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for at least 150 days after the date you arrive.
Irish, German and other EU citizens should check their own government's travel advice before booking. Rules on visas and passport validity differ by nationality.
Take copies of recent X-rays, a list of your medicines and allergies, and the clinic's written plan and price. See dental records for what to bring home.

How many trips, and how long to stay

Implants: Usually two trips. The implant is placed on the first, and the crown, bridge or denture is fitted on the second, after the bone has healed for a few months. See dental implants.
Sinus lift or bone graft: The graft may need several months to heal before an implant can be placed. Ask how many trips this adds. See sinus lift.
Crowns and veneers: Usually several appointments over one stay, because the laboratory makes them between visits. Ask how many working days the clinic needs, and leave spare days for adjustments.
Every treatment: Leave a few days at the end with no appointments, so that a problem can be checked before you fly.

Flying after treatment

Changes in cabin pressure can cause pain and, after surgery near the sinus, can harm healing. A review of the evidence on dental tourism and air travel suggests these minimum intervals:

After implant placement: At least 72 hours before flying.
After a sinus lift: At least two weeks, and only with no sinus symptoms. The authors suggest planning around six weeks where possible.

The evidence is limited and mostly comes from aircrew. Ask the surgeon for a written fit-to-fly date before you book the return flight.

Insurance

Standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad, including complications that follow it. Emergency dental cover for sudden pain or an accident is a different thing.
Specialist policies for travelling for treatment exist. Read what they cover, for how long after treatment, and whether they pay for a return trip or treatment at home.
Complication insurance in Türkiye. Since 2025, clinics must insure surgical and interventional procedures done in an operating theatre for international patients. Much dental treatment is done in a dental chair and may fall outside this rule. See complication insurance.

Paying

Get a written, itemised price before paying a deposit, and find out when a deposit is refundable.
UK credit cards. For purchases between £100 and £30,000, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act can make the card provider jointly responsible if the clinic breaks the contract. It has been confirmed to apply abroad. Cash and bank transfers give no such protection.
Ireland. Non-routine treatment abroad can qualify for tax relief. Ask the clinic to complete Revenue's Form Med 2. See costs at home.
Germany. Statutory insurance does not subsidise planned dental treatment in Türkiye. Ask your insurer before you book.
Country guides: from the UK, from Ireland, from Germany.

Getting help while you are in Türkiye

Emergency: Call 112.
International patient line: The Ministry of Health's line, +90 850 288 38 38, offers interpreting and advice 24 hours a day in English, German, French, Arabic, Russian and Persian. It also takes complaints.
Check the clinic: Confirm the clinic's authorisation before treatment starts. See verify authorisation.

Recovering while away

After a tooth is removed, an NHS dental service leaflet advises resting on the day, not rinsing or spitting for 24 hours, avoiding very hot, spicy or crunchy food for two to three days, avoiding alcohol and not smoking for a few days. Follow the clinic's own written instructions.
Plan quiet days after surgery rather than tours or long transfers.
Know how to reach the clinic out of hours, and what to do if bleeding does not stop.
For sun, sea, pools and alcohol on holiday, see treatment and a holiday.

Coming home

Arrange a dentist at home before you travel. In a 2022 British Dental Association survey, 86% of UK dentists said they had treated problems that followed treatment abroad, most often with crowns and implants.
Bring home your X-rays, scans, the implant brands and sizes, and the guarantee terms.
See follow-up care and, if something goes wrong, the complaint routes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I combine treatment with a beach holiday?

Plan the holiday before treatment, not after surgery. Ask the clinic in writing about swimming, sun and alcohol for your treatment, and keep the last days free for checks.

Does the clinic's package include everything?

Not always. Check whether X-rays or scans, temporary teeth, the hotel, transfers and follow-up visits are included. The quote form asks the same questions.

What if the clinic says I need more treatment when I arrive?

Ask for the reason and the new price in writing, and take time to decide. You do not have to agree on the spot. See informed consent.

Travelling for treatment: trips, flights and insurance

Entry and documents

How many trips, and how long to stay

Flying after treatment

Insurance

Paying

Getting help while you are in Türkiye

Recovering while away

Coming home

Frequently asked questions

Sources

39 guides, one honest site.

Where to verify, and where to complain.

International Patient Support Unit and Call Center

HealthTürkiye

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