Dental Tourism: Is Turkey or Hungary Really Worth It?
Dental Tourism: Is Turkey or Hungary Really Worth It?
Quick answer
UK patients typically save 50–70% on implants, veneers and crowns in Turkey and Hungary, with a single implant and crown costing £500–£900 in Turkey versus £2,000–£3,500 in the UK. The savings are real, but flights, accommodation, multiple trips and the difficulty of getting aftercare back home all reduce the benefit and add risk.
Key takeaways
- A single implant and crown costs £500–£900 in Turkey and £900–£1,400 in Hungary, versus £2,000–£3,500 in the UK.
- Travel costs of £1,500–£3,000 still leave most full-mouth patients saving £6,000–£15,000.
- The General Dental Council does not regulate overseas dentists, so complaint routes are limited.
- Aftercare is the biggest risk: a failed crown or implant means flying back or finding a UK dentist to fix it.
- Be wary of any plan to crown more than four healthy front teeth.
The volume of UK patients travelling abroad for dental treatment has tripled since 2019. Turkey is now the leading destination, followed by Hungary, Poland and Spain. Average savings are real — but so are the risks.
Typical headline prices abroad (2026)
| Treatment | UK private | Turkey | Hungary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single implant + crown | £2,000–£3,500 | £500–£900 | £900–£1,400 |
| Porcelain veneer (per tooth) | £500–£1,200 | £150–£300 | £250–£450 |
| Zirconia crown | £650–£1,100 | £150–£280 | £280–£450 |
| All-on-4 (per jaw) | £12,000–£28,000 | £3,500–£6,500 | £5,000–£8,500 |
The true cost including travel
For an all-on-4 case you typically need two trips (placement and final fitting 3–6 months apart). Two return flights, 5–7 nights of accommodation per trip and meals add £1,500–£3,000. Hidden costs still leave most patients saving £6,000–£15,000 on a full mouth case.
The risks
- Aftercare: If a crown chips or an implant fails 6 months later, you have to fly back or find a UK dentist willing to take on someone else's work
- Regulation: The General Dental Council does not regulate overseas dentists. Complaints procedures are limited and slow
- Over-treatment: Some clinics aggressively recommend crowning healthy teeth to fund "Hollywood smile" makeovers. Be very wary of any plan that involves crowning more than 4 healthy front teeth
- Speed: Multiple complex procedures are sometimes performed in 3–5 days. Quality work is rarely that fast
How to do dental tourism well
- Get a UK dentist's opinion on what you actually need before you fly
- Use clinics accredited by JCI (Joint Commission International) or ISO 9001
- Ask which implant brand they use — insist on Straumann, Nobel, AstraTech or other premium brands with a UK distributor
- Get a written, itemised treatment plan in English with a 5-year warranty in writing
- Plan two trips: consultation/placement then final fitting
- Register with a UK dentist who is willing to monitor the work afterwards
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dental tourism in Turkey worth it?
It can save 50–70% on major work, but you must weigh travel costs, the need for multiple trips, and the difficulty of getting aftercare if something goes wrong after you fly home.
How much do implants cost in Turkey vs the UK?
A single implant and crown costs around £500–£900 in Turkey compared with £2,000–£3,500 in the UK.
What happens if treatment abroad goes wrong?
You usually have to fly back to the original clinic or find a UK dentist willing to take on someone else’s work. The GDC does not regulate overseas dentists.
How do I do dental tourism safely?
Get a UK opinion on what you actually need before flying, use accredited clinics, insist on a premium implant brand, and get an itemised plan and warranty in writing.