Your First Time at a Dentist in Turkey
The first time you have dental treatment abroad, almost everything is unfamiliar: the airport, the clinic, the paperwork, the way appointments are arranged. None of it is difficult, but knowing what to expect removes most of the worry.
This page is a straightforward account for first-time patients, from the enquiry you make at home to the review before you fly back.
Before you travel
You will have sent photographs, answered questions about your health and your teeth, and received a written plan with a price. Read it twice: the second time looking specifically for what is not included.
Then arrange the trip. Flights, dates, transfers and accommodation are agreed with your coordinator, who will tell you which appointment is on which day so you know how much free time you have. Tell your own dentist in the UK what you are planning, and ask if they will handle routine aftercare.
- Passport, flight details and treatment plan in one folder, on your phone as well as on paper.
- A list of your medication and any allergies.
- Contact number for your coordinator and for the clinic saved in your phone.
The first appointment
You will be examined, your medical history reviewed, and in implant cases scanned. The dentist will go through the plan in person and check it against what is actually visible in your mouth — occasionally something changes, and that is discussed before anything begins.
Expect to be there for at least an hour, and for the treatment to start the same day in many cases. Ask questions as they come to you; the appointment is not a performance and there is no rush.
Not sure which treatment applies to you? A coordinator will go through it with you.
What surprises first-time patients
None of these are problems, but they are the things people mention afterwards.
- Appointment days are long. Bring water, a snack and something to read.
- There are gaps between appointments for laboratory work — plan those days.
- Temporary teeth feel different from the final ones.
- Recovery after implant surgery takes a couple of quiet days, not an afternoon.
- The final bite check can take longer than expected, and that is a good sign.
Getting the most out of your first trip
Bring a companion for surgical treatment. Ask for written aftercare instructions rather than relying on memory. Take photographs of your own teeth before and after so you have your own record. And ask what to do if a question comes up in three months' time — you should leave knowing exactly who to contact.
Book your free consultation, ask us anything on WhatsApp, or read what to expect from treatment in Turkey.
Your First Time at a Dentist in Turkey: questions patients ask
Is it normal to be nervous about treatment abroad?
Entirely. Asking to speak to the clinical team and asking for everything in writing helps more than reassurance does. See our notes for nervous patients.
Will I have treatment on the first day?
Often yes, for crowns and veneers — examination, preparation and impressions can happen in one appointment. Implant surgery is usually scheduled the following day.
What should I take to the clinic?
Your passport, your treatment plan, a list of medication, any x-rays you have, and a card or cash for the balance of payment.
Can I bring someone with me to the appointment?
Yes. A companion is welcome and can sit in on the consultation if you would like.
How much free time will I have?
More than most patients expect — usually the afternoons and the days between laboratory stages. See dental treatment holidays.
What if I decide not to go ahead?
You can stop at any point before treatment starts. Deposit terms are given in writing at booking, so you know where you stand.
Thinking about dental treatment in Turkey?
Speak to the SmileOver team about your individual requirements. We will tell you which treatments are likely to suit you, what a realistic timeline looks like, and what the cost would be — in writing, before you commit to anything.
No guarantees are made about results, and no medical advice is given before an assessment. Everything on this page is general information for UK patients.
How to read this page
SmileOver is a coordination service. We arrange consultations, written treatment plans, airport and clinic transfers, accommodation and aftercare contact for patients travelling from the UK and elsewhere.
Clinical care — diagnosis, treatment planning and the treatment itself — is provided by the independent dental clinic and its registered dentists in Turkey. SmileOver does not practise dentistry and does not decide which treatment you need.
Every page here is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will assess your own teeth, and treatment varies between patients. No outcome is guaranteed and no treatment is suitable for everyone.
Related reading for UK patients
More detail on the questions that come up most often, and the pages that explain how treatment with SmileOver is organised.