‘Turkey Teeth’ trends on TikTok as people share their dental tourism experiences
Posts accompanied by ‘Turkey Teeth’ slogans and hashtags are trending on social media platforms, including TikTok, as users share their experiences of dental tourism.
The number of patients travelling overseas for treatment has increased significantly in the last few years due to the popularity of cosmetic dental services and exposure to celebrity smiles and adverts for clinics abroad.
The main reason people travel for treatment is to save money. Prices in countries like Turkey can be up to 70% cheaper than in the UK. However, trending posts have highlighted the potential risks and complications of having treatment overseas. Social media content and news stories have featured several people who have described issues after visiting clinics in different countries.
The government has changed its official advice to encourage patients interested in travelling for dental treatment to conduct independent research. The British Dental Association (BDA) has also offered advice to help people to reduce risks, including researching clinics, checking the qualifications of dentists, speaking to the dental team before treatment and reading reviews.
One common problem that has emerged in news stories and viral social media trends is patients undergoing different procedures to the treatment they paid for. This is common for crowns, veneers and implants. Some people have reported waking up to find that they have paid for treatment that hasn’t been completed, for example, bridges rather than individual crowns.
A BDA survey revealed that over 80% of dentists have treated patients with complications after going abroad. One in five dentists have treated patients who needed over £5,000 worth of treatment. Some patients have been quoted over £30,000 for repairs and remedial treatment.
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