The continued rise of dental tourism: what you need to consider
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 1st August 2023
The phrase ‘Turkey Teeth’ entered the public consciousness last year. It refers to the trend of people travelling to Turkey to get their dream smile, delivered at a fraction of the cost than it would be in the UK. A BBC documentary broadcast in July, Turkey Teeth: Bargain Smiles or Big Mistake, looked at the influence of social media, also the reality TV stars who went abroad and returned with their teeth transformed.[i]
It also showed how, for every success story, many others have experienced serious complications.
The concept of medical tourism is not new. One study found that in 2010, over 60,000 UK citizens travelled overseas for either medical or dental treatment.[ii] The TikTok hashtag #TurkeyTeeth may have been viewed nearly 150 million times in 2022, but Turkey isn’t the only country offering these dental treatment/holiday packages. One website lists India, Hungary and Mexico as the top three places to book an all-inclusive stay that combines low-cost dentistry with a “trip of a lifetime”.[iii]
The #TurkeyTeeth trend has tapped into the valuable social currency of a beautiful-looking smile and this is one reason why the industry is thriving. But rising costs for all treatments and ongoing problems with accessing NHS services are making going abroad tempting for people who want to improve oral function and health, not just aesthetics. From complex work like implant therapies to extractions, dental tourism can enable patients to avoid long waits. Treatments cost significantly less than they do in the UK, so people can afford what could otherwise be out of their price range.[iv]
The GDC has even published a guide for patients, to help them make an informed decision by being aware of the risks involved.[v] Dental regulation varies from country to country and people are encouraged to carry out independent research into the safety and quality of treatment provided. But if things go wrong, they could face devastating consequences to their smile, health and bank balance. It is then often left to a dentist in the UK to pick up the pieces.
Problems that teams are seeing in patients who went abroad include increased sensitivity, pain and infection.[vi] Non-conservative preparations to fit invasive crowns can damage the hard and soft tissue, which will require ongoing work to stabilise.
No dental treatment comes with a risk-free guarantee. But if delivered at home, returning to the practice is easier. Simple tweaks can be offered if a patient is unhappy with the fit or look of a restoration, for example. The dentist, dental hygienist and/or dental therapist will also support them with a long-term maintenance schedule. Ethically, crowns are inappropriate for most people with good oral health who just want to change the appearance of the teeth; minimally invasive options often have a better long-term prognosis too.
A dilemma for dentists?
Cost does seem to be the overriding factor for people choosing to travel abroad. Education can help them appreciate how quality dental work, delivered in the UK, is actually more affordable than they might think – especially in the long-run. Most practices offer payment plans and added value comes with comprehensive treatment planning, including aftercare.
It’s important to understand why patients are accepting the risks of dental tourism. Educating them about all the reasons to stay home is key, as is having a practical and comprehensive response that protects you and them, should they require remedial treatment back in the UK.
If you are a dentist being asked to deliver remedial works, you may be unsure where to start. First, you will be dealing with an upset patient who is likely to be substantially out of pocket. Even if they were able to report the clinic or clinician to that country’s dental regulator, their chances of success are low.[vii] Despite their discomfort, they will have paid a lot of money for their treatment 
and may resist any advice to ‘start again’.
Should a patient present in pain, or suffering from an infection, UK dentists can deliver acute care. After that, the lack of guidelines in this area does create an ethical and medico-legal dilemma.[viii] If you agree to remedial work, gaining their consent will require them to understand where your jurisdiction begins and ends, as a GDC-registered dentist. The issue of cost will need to be set out, so there is no confusion. Whilst you may be insured to carry out the work, you need to consider the risks associated with taking on a patient who could be a potential complainant if you aren’t able to remedy the situation. This in itself could possibly be unrealistic if previously mismanaged.
One impact of rising dental tourism is that practices could see more patients seeking remedial work. Protecting yourself with high-quality indemnity, that is contract backed, has never been more crucial for your peace of mind, and that of the people you care for. Howden is a dental insurance specialist and understands the unique challenges facing modern dentistry. Our offerings are contract-backed, meaning you have confidence that we will support you in the event of a complaint or claim being made. We can steer you through complex situations, and offer access to medico-legal advice if you need guidance about how to proceed.
For more information or to contact the team,
please visit www.howdenmedicalindemnity.com or call 020 3918 9127.
Howden Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of general insurance business. Registered in England and Wales under company registration number 725875. Registered Office: One Creechurch Place, London, EC3A 5AF
[i] Turkey teeth: Are cut-price reality TV teeth worth it? BBC, 14 July 2023. Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62100044 (accessed April 2023).
[ii] Ashiti, S., Moshkun, C. Dental tourists: treat, re-treat or do not treat?. Br Dent J 230, 73–76 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2591-6. (accessed April 2023).
[iii] The World’s 7 Best Countries for Dental Tourism.
https://www.liveandinvestoverseas.com/health-care/dental-tourism-destinations/ (accessed April 2023).
[iv] ‘Impossible to get an appointment’ Britons forced abroad to seek dental treatment. Guardian, 9 August 2022. Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/aug/09/britons-forced-abroad-to-seek-dental-treatment (accessed April 2023).
[v] Going abroad for your dental care? GDC guide. Link: https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/information-for-patients-public/going-abroad-for-dental-treatment (accessed April 2023).
[vi] BBC, 14 July 2023.
[vii] Br Dent J 230, 73–76 (2021).
[viii] Br Dent J 230, 73–76 (2021).
