Throughout the last few years, displeasure towards the healthcare system and services in western countries has become increasingly prominent. From North America to European countries such as the UK, Italy, and France alike, appointments are becoming more and more difficult to book. In the UK, there is a line up of 11 million people. Not to mention that they’re growing progressively expensive which is making it really difficult for the average person to get the treatment they need, without taking a loan.

Patients are having to endure considerably longer waiting periods before getting access to necessary specialists, particularly when it comes to dental treatment. A UK poll found that 5% of adults have tried “DIY dentistry” due to their inability to get an appointment. This included some people pulling out their own teeth, at home. Ouch.

Imagine this: You’re suddenly faced with a toothache, don’t know the cause of it, and when you call your local dentist they tell you that there’s a one-month waiting time? This is just one of the reasons why dental tourism has arisen as a trend, with people being pushed to get their treatments done in countries like Turkey, Mexico, Spain, Albania, and Croatia, among others.

Turkey has been the top destination throughout the years to get dental work done. It is estimated that Turkey treats up to 250,000 dental tourists annually. Due to this influx of visitors, Turkish clinics invested in improving and scaling their services. Throughout the years, however, their quality and attention to their patients has been on the decline, which has led to serious problems. It has been reported that since January 2019, at least 22 British deaths have occurred as a result of health tourism visits to Turkey.

Things to Consider When Choosing Turkey for Dental Work

Lower Treatment Cost

Statistics show that the cost of dental procedures in Turkey can be as much as 70% cheaper than the same procedures would be in western countries. Here is a chart comparing the costs of procedures between Turkey and the UK:

Personalized Care – Maybe Not? 

A British patient who shared details of her experience in Turkey said that it felt “just like a machine process that isn’t personal to you at all,” as she was interviewed alongside her local UK dentist, now treating her “mutilated” teeth. Her dentist explained that the Turkish procedures are not tailored to the patients, pointing out how some deals were marketed by clinics as “crown slash veneer”, despite those each being completely different treatments that can’t just be lumped together into the same label.

Even if you look at reviews and find a doctor you think you can trust, you may still end up in a negative scenario that some people have found themselves in. You might walk into a clinic with confidence after reading stellar reviews on the doctor, but then that doctor could only have one look at you before leaving other people to perform on you while he’s not even around. To avoid this, it’s important to look beyond simple reviews and find detailed testimonials about a clinic.

Language Barrier

As with any trip to a foreign country, you might face a language barrier problem during your stay in Turkey. Most of the accredited institutions will offer translators and patient liaisons within the clinic. However, you must ensure that the translator is accurate and well-versed in medical language. The language barrier poses a significant risk if it gets in the way of the dentist fully understanding your medical history, as outlined by the president of the Irish Dental Association – in light of two Irish deaths following procedures in Turkey.

Be prepared by having a means of translation, whether it’s through the internet, or by hiring a translator. You need to be able to clearly let a dentist know the details of any past illnesses, medications prescribed, and previous surgeries.

The Need to Exercise Caution

Turkey’s reputation has taken a hit recently as the UK’s Foreign Office issued a warning on traveling to Turkey for medical tourism due to the British deaths that were reported. The Turkish embassy has adamantly defended its healthcare services and has advised patients to stick to providers that are approved by their government’s Ministry of Health.

However, questions are being raised about whether the standards boasted by the Turkish government can be trusted. With the rapidly growing sector creating a high amount of competition, there are worries surrounding the practices that some clinics may use to try gaining advantages within the domestic landscape. A saturation of clinics has created issues for Turkey.

Affordable Alternatives to Turkey’s Dental Services

With Turkey’s popularity taking a strong hit due the alarming number of deaths associated with their dental treatment, some Turkish practitioners are actually responding by moving away from Turkey to start practices in other countries. This is leaving many people unclear on whether Turkey remains a viable option for them. However, there are other nations emerging as top contenders offering high-quality dental tourism.

Two of the fastest growing destinations are Croatia and Albania. More and more patients recommend looking at options in these countries due to their infrastructure, clinic quality, prices, and positive testimonials.

Albania in particular is increasingly popular. Croatia, although a great destination for tourists, has expensive hotels, food, and means of transportation. Albania, its neighboring country, is an increasingly popular destination. Patients are taking advantage of the great prices and quality while experiencing a country that not many know of!

Here are some reasons why many are preferring Albania as their dental choice:

• Like any popular medical tourism destination, Albania’s prices help separate it from the pack; dental implants that will cost you a minimum of £2500 in the UK can be done for as low as €800 in Albania
• Despite being a small country, Albania offers unmatched cultural experiences and scenic beauty that patients are able to enjoy after completing their treatments, with these experiences available at prices similarly low to their treatments
• Albanian dental professionals have earned a reputation for staying up to date with the latest technology and techniques for treatment, often undergoing trainings in the UK and USA to maintain their standards

Over the last few decades, many Albanian dental clinics have been able to successfully treat complicated procedures. Some may have concerns about the experience level of the dentists considering the recency of Albania’s popularity, but established clinics such as Andent have been successfully operating in the country for over 10 years.

As medical tourism continues to rapidly grow as a trend, Albania’s entrance into the landscape will be well worth keeping an eye on. But why wait to learn more later when people are already reporting excellent experiences right now?

Ask us questions about dental treatment in Albania today by contacting Andent via Email or WhatsApp, and we’ll give you your next vacation destination.