The steady rise of dental tourism

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 28 October 2025

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LONDON, England: Driven by the NHS dental crisis, an increasing number of UK patients seeking cheaper dental work overseas are encountering unexpected complications, according to a recent feature by BBC News. While the initial outlay may appear attractive, many are discovering that follow-up care and regulatory protection can be problematic and that long-term costs can be significant. For dentists at home, it is imperative that prudent advice about these risks be provided to patients considering such treatment overseas.

The report highlights the growing trend of dental tourism—often drawing patients with lower costs and the promise of a quicker smile transformation. However, the article emphasises the risks associated with this choice: when things go wrong, returning home often means navigating care gaps and limited avenues of recourse.

As reported on by Dental Tribune International, dental tourism among UK patients, particularly to countries such as Turkey, has been steadily on the rise since the lifting of travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. UK dental professionals are increasingly seeing the aftermath of these overseas treatments—including poorly fitted work, infections, implant failure and the need for corrective procedures. Many patients under-estimate the difficulty of managing complications once they are back in the UK. Without the same legal and regulatory protections as domestic treatment, patients may find themselves unable to claim for damages, contact the original practitioner or obtain treatment assurance from abroad.

Cost-savings can prove illusory. While treatment fees might be lower overseas, subsequent remedial work undertaken in the UK often costs far more than what a routine local treatment would have, something also experienced by Australian dental tourists. Clinics abroad may offer enticing promotional packages—covering flights, accommodation and dental work—but may not adequately address postoperative care, continuity of treatment, or the complexities of follow-up and emergency support.

From a regulatory perspective, UK bodies are increasingly urging patients to ensure that they thoroughly research the credentials of the overseas provider and understand the full treatment plan, including aftercare, and are advising patients that UK clinics may refuse to accept responsibility for work done abroad. The article calls for better public awareness of these issues and suggests that patients factor in hidden costs and risks—not just the headline price.

For dental professionals, the growing prevalence of complications linked to dental tourism underscores the importance of patient education, continuity of care and professional collaboration. While the General Dental Council and the Dental Defence Society provide guidance on managing patients treated abroad, this advice remains largely general in scope. There is a need for detailed, standardised professional protocols—covering documentation, consent and post-treatment management—to support consistent and ethically responsible care for patients returning from overseas treatment.