NOTE: prices are indicative of those posted online by dentists in Turkey – some may charge more.

Turkey might be a bit more exotic than you’d planned on but its dental practices are highly professional and dentists well-trained.

Turkish dentists must study for five years in one of the country’s 15 dental schools before receiving a D.D.S. degree. Specialization takes a further five years, so dentistry education is quite intensive.

Professional practice and development of dentistry in Turkey is overseen by the Turkish Dental Association and its 33 local chapters. The TDA also offers continuing education to dentists wishing to keep up their studies. Cosmetic dentistry further requires membership in the Turkish Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry, so the profession is as highly regulated as it is in other countries.

Turkey is clearly making an impact on dental tourism because of its low prices, skilled dentists and modern equipment. One dentist in Alanya has equipped all his dental units with LCD TVs, Dolby surround sound and Internet access. This sounds less like a dentist and more like a visit to an airport lounge!

Visiting dentists in Turkey will also allow you to enjoy the country’s world-class attractions.

Turkey has one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, with a history that dates back thousands of years. Whatever your vacation tastes, you’ll find something you like.

Dental Tourism in Turkey

Dentists in Turkey who deal with dental tourists are mostly found in either Istanbul or Izmir: both cities have plenty to do if you’re waiting for a second dental appointment.

Here are just a few of the things you could do while waiting for your dental treatment to be over:

• Visit some of Istanbul’s major historical sites including Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace and Sultanahmet Mosque.

• Stroll along the banks of the Bosphorus or take a cruise through the Straight to the Black Sea for lunch.

• Cross over to the Asian side for a look at some of Istanbul’s most picturesque neighborhoods.

• Try a hamam, or Turkish bath, some of which are centuries old.

• If you’re in Izmir, visit some of the internationally-known seaside resorts nearby.

You can also shop till you drop – leather goods are great and those Turkish carpets in the Bazaar are definitely worth a look. Turkey is wonderful for its food, in many ways similar to other foods of the Middle East and Greece. If it’s culture you’re after, the heritage of Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire should keep you more than busy with history and archaeology.