Why ask questions before booking?
Because the price is the easiest thing to compare and the least useful on its own. Two clinics can quote similar amounts for very different work. The answers to the twelve questions below show what you are actually buying, who is responsible for it, and what happens if something needs attention after you fly home.
A good clinic answers all of them in writing, without pressure, and does not mind being asked. Keep the answers; they help you compare clinics fairly.
1. Who will treat me?
Ask for the name of the dentist who will examine you and carry out the treatment, and whether the same person sees you from the first visit to the last. Ask about their training and which treatments they focus on. In some large clinics, different dentists handle different steps; that is not wrong, but you should know in advance.
2. Who reviews my photos, and who answers my messages?
Before you book, your photos or X-ray should be reviewed by a dentist, not only a sales adviser. Ask who writes your plan and whether you can speak to the doctor on a video call before deciding.
3. Which materials and brands will be used?
“Porcelain” and “implant” are not enough. Ask for the material (for example e.max or zirconia), the manufacturer, and for implants the brand. These should be written in your plan and later in your records. Our guide on e.max or zirconia explains the difference.
4. Who makes the veneers or crowns, and where?
Ask whether the clinic has its own lab or sends work to an outside lab, and whether the teeth are layered by hand or milled. A lab on site makes it easier to adjust shape and shade at the try-in, with the ceramist in the room.
5. How many visits and nights does my plan need?
Ask for a day-by-day plan: when you are in the chair, for how long, and which days are free. Very short stays are sometimes possible, but they leave little room for a try-in or adjustments.
6. What exactly does the written quote include?
The quote should list every item: the number of teeth, materials, temporaries, scans and X-rays, every visit, and hotel and transfers if offered. Ask what is not included. For implants, ask about bone grafting and the second trip.
7. What happens if the plan changes after the examination?
Plans can change once the doctor sees your teeth or a 3D scan. Ask how that is handled: who explains it, how the price changes, and whether anything is done before you agree in writing. Nothing should be added without your written consent.
8. Will I see the result before it is fixed?
Ask whether you get a digital preview of your new smile, and a try-in where you see the veneers or crowns in your mouth before they are bonded. This is your chance to ask for changes to shape or shade.
9. What aftercare do I get, in writing?
Ask what the aftercare covers, for how long, under which conditions, and what is not covered. Ask how it works if you live abroad: who pays for travel, and whether a local dentist can do small repairs. Be wary of vague promises; clear written terms are more useful.
10. How do check-ups work once I am home?
Ask whether there are check-ups by video, who your named contact is, and how quickly they reply. Ask what you should do if something feels wrong after you return.
11. Will I receive my records?
You should leave with your X-rays, scans, the materials and shades used, and for implants the brand and batch details. This lets any dentist see exactly what was done and look after it later.
12. Is the clinic authorised for health tourism?
In Turkey, clinics that promote treatment to international patients need an authorisation from the Ministry of Health. Ask for the authorisation number and check that it is shown on the clinic’s website. Ask also how payments work: the deposit, when the balance is due, and the cancellation terms.
How do we answer these questions?
In writing, in the plan we send before you book. You can also ask the doctor directly on a video call. Send us your photos and we will reply with a written plan that answers all twelve.