Dental work in Türkiye and the NHS – what happens when you come home

Crowns, veneers and implants in Türkiye are popular with UK patients – but the treatment does not end when you fly home. Sooner or later you will need a dentist in the UK, for a check-up, a problem or simply routine care. This guide answers the questions people ask most often about the NHS and dental work done abroad. It is general information, not individual dental, medical or legal advice; your own situation may be different.

Will an NHS dentist fix my Turkey teeth?

An NHS dentist will normally treat what is needed to keep your mouth healthy – but they do not have to repair, replace or improve cosmetic work done abroad.

In practice that means:

• Likely to be treated: pain, infection, an abscess, a broken tooth, a loose filling, gum problems, and anything else that is clinically necessary.
• Often not treated on the NHS: adjusting the shape or shade of veneers, replacing crowns because you do not like how they look, or reworking a smile makeover.
• Rarely available on the NHS at all: implant work. If an implant done abroad fails, you may be referred or advised, but rebuilding it is often a private matter.

The dentist will assess you as they would any patient and explain what the NHS can offer. If the problem is mainly cosmetic, expect to be told that it is not something the NHS provides.

Will I have to pay – and which NHS band?

Yes. In England you pay the normal NHS band charge for the treatment you receive, whether or not your original work was done abroad – unless you are exempt (for example under 18, pregnant or receiving certain benefits).

These are the charges listed on nhs.uk at the time of writing:

Band	What it typically covers	Charge in England
Urgent	Examination, X-rays, temporary fillings, draining an abscess	£27.90
Band 1	Examination, diagnosis, X-rays, advice	£27.90
Band 2	Band 1 plus treatment such as fillings, root canal work, extractions	£76.60
Band 3	Band 1 and 2 plus crowns, dentures, bridges and lab work	£332.10

Charges change from time to time, so check nhs.uk before your appointment. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own NHS dental charges and rules, so the figures above do not apply there.

The bigger problem is often not the cost but finding an NHS dentist who is taking on patients. If you already have a regular practice, keep going there – it makes everything after treatment abroad much easier.

What if I’m in pain when I get home – where do I get urgent help?

Contact a dentist first; if you cannot get an urgent appointment, call NHS 111 or use 111 online.

The NHS toothache guidance advises seeing a dentist if pain:

• lasts more than 2 days or does not go away with painkillers,
• comes with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums or a bad taste in your mouth,
• or your cheek or jaw is swollen.

Go to A&E if the area around your eye or your neck is swollen, or if swelling in your mouth or neck is making it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak. Do not drive yourself – ask someone to take you or call 999 for an ambulance.

The NHS also says not to go to your GP for toothache, because a GP cannot give dental treatment.

Tip: Save the NHS 111 number and the details of your nearest urgent dental service in your phone before you fly. Searching for help while in pain is much harder.

Why might a dentist refuse to repair cosmetic work done abroad?

Because touching someone else’s work can make them responsible for it – and because the NHS does not fund purely cosmetic dentistry.

There are several practical reasons a UK dentist may say no:

• Liability: once they adjust or replace a crown or veneer, they may be treated as responsible for the result, even though they did not plan the original treatment.
• Unknown materials and systems: without records, they may not know which materials or implant system were used, and parts for some implant systems may be hard to obtain in the UK.
• Scope of the NHS: NHS dentistry covers what is clinically needed, not aesthetic improvements.
• Complexity: extensive work may need a specialist, which can mean a referral, a wait or a private fee.

A dentist who refuses to redo the work should still help with pain or infection. If you are unsure what they can offer, ask them to explain your options – NHS and private – in writing.

Will dental insurance or travel insurance cover problems?

Usually not, unless the policy says so clearly.

• Travel insurance is designed for unexpected illness or accidents on a trip. Planned treatment abroad and its consequences are commonly excluded.
• UK dental plans and dental insurance often exclude problems arising from treatment carried out overseas, and may have waiting periods before cover starts.
• Specialist medical travel insurance exists for some planned procedures. Read what it covers: remedial treatment, return travel, treatment in the UK or only in Türkiye.

Also ask the clinic in writing what happens if something goes wrong: whether they offer a guarantee, whether it requires you to fly back, and who pays for travel and accommodation. Our guide to the treatment contract with a Turkish clinic explains what to look for.

What has the British Dental Association said about treatment abroad?

The BDA has warned that UK dentists are increasingly “picking up the pieces” when treatment abroad goes wrong.

In a survey of 1,000 UK dentists published by the BDA:

• 86% said they had treated cases that developed problems after treatment abroad.
• Crowns (87%) and implants (85%) were named as the treatments most likely to need follow-up work.
• Over 40% said the NHS had provided the remedial treatment.
• 65% said repair work cost at least £500, and over half said more than £1,000.

The BDA’s advice to patients is to give properly informed consent, be wary of high-pressure sales, understand the risks and alternatives, plan in advance for problems after returning home, and factor in the cost of follow-up care. It also recommends checking the dentist’s qualifications, experience and insurance.

Should I see a UK dentist before I go?

Yes, if you possibly can – it is one of the most useful things you can do.

A check-up before you travel:

• gives you a baseline: X-rays and notes showing the state of your teeth before treatment,
• can pick up gum disease or decay that should be treated first, especially before crowns, veneers or implants,
• lets you discuss the plan you have been offered and whether less invasive options exist,
• and means you have a practice to return to if problems appear later.

Tell your dentist honestly that you are planning treatment abroad. Many will at least explain what they would and would not be able to help with afterwards.

What records should I bring home?

Bring home everything a UK dentist would need to understand exactly what was done – ideally in English and in digital form.

Checklist before you leave the clinic in Türkiye:

• Written treatment plan, with the final version of what was actually done
• X-rays or CT scans from before and after treatment
• List of every tooth treated and the procedure for each
• Materials used for crowns, veneers and bridges
• Implant details – brand, system, size and position (sometimes called an implant passport or implant card)
• Medicines prescribed, including antibiotics, with doses
• Written aftercare instructions and follow-up schedule
• Name and qualifications of the treating dentist
• Contact details for questions after you return home
• Copy of your contract, invoice and any guarantee terms

Tip: Ask for files by email or on a USB stick before your last appointment, and check you can open them. Getting records sent later from abroad can take time.

What else should I plan for before booking?

Think about the whole journey, not just the treatment week.

• Number of trips: implants and some crown work often need more than one visit. Ask how many trips are planned and what happens if healing takes longer.
• Time to heal: avoid booking flights, holidays or big events straight after extensive work.
• Who will see you afterwards: decide in advance whether you will use an NHS dentist, a private dentist or return to Türkiye for checks.
• Budget for problems: the BDA notes that complications can wipe out savings, so keep a reserve.

For more on recognising problems early, see our guide to problems after dental treatment in Türkiye.

Read more

• Dental treatment in Türkiye: a guide for patients
• Dental implants in Türkiye
• Problems after dental treatment in Türkiye