Turkey - A Dental Tourism Destination

Dental tourism has helped many people in need of dental procedures save thousands of dollars. By traveling abroad to a value-for-money dental tourism destination, you can often get treated at about half of the price charged in your home country. When you add in the cost of travel, the savings are still immense, which is why so many people are taking a holiday and coming back with better teeth. Turkey is one of the most affordable places to get dental work done in Europe, making it a hot spot for dental tourism. People travel to get everything from braces to dental implants in Turkey, and in doing so, save thousands of dollars and get to visit one of the most popular vacation destinations.

 

Visiting Turkey as a Dental Tourist

The number of tourists visiting Turkey each year has been on the rise. Tourists from all over the world visit Turkey to enjoy the diverse culture that bridges modernity and tradition, growth and heritage. Some of these tourists take advantage of their holiday and also get affordable dental work at the same time. In many cases, getting dental work and taking the holiday of a lifetime will still wind up much cheaper than just getting dental work in your home town.

Most procedures don’t require too much time for recovery. Usually after a few days, your dentist will permit you to be up and walking around. Then you can enjoy Turkey for all the reasons tourists flock to the country. 

Things to Do After Your Dental Work

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is often referred to as the heart and soul of the country. If you are in Istanbul, then you must see:

Hagia Sophia - This historical treasure actually started out as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in 360 CE. Before becoming the museum that it is today, it was a mosque from 1453 to 1931. 

Bosphorus Bridge - As one of the busiest waterways in the world, visiting the bridge and the nearby piers is a must while in Turkey.

The Grand Bazaar - This is among the world’s oldest covered markets. Other markets such as the Egyptian Bazaar and Mahmutpasha Bazaar are also not to be missed.

Getting There and Visa Requirements

Getting to Turkey is quite easy by flight. Turkish Airlines has regular flights from almost every major city in the world. Tourists will likely need a visa to travel to Turkey, but citizens of most countries can obtain a 90-day visa for around USD 20 at the Turkish international airports.

Americans as Dental Tourists

Though Turkey does attract some American dental tourists, it is not a prime dental tourism location for them. This is because the flight journey from the United States to Turkey is not only long, but also costly. If you are an American looking for affordable dental care then Turkey may not reap the biggest savings. Instead, you may want to consider traveling south of the border to Mexico for more affordable rates. People who get dental implants in Los Algodones or other border towns report immense savings because the cost of travel is very nominal. 

Pattaya as a Dental Tourism Destination

Thailand is one of the most popular Asian tourism destinations, with Pattaya itself attracting millions of foreign visitors every year. So if you need dental work, why not do it in one of the most exciting Asian beach cities? In half the cost of getting dental work at home you can get crowns, bridges and dental implants in Pattaya, allowing the opportunity to have a great vacation as well.

Dental Work Available in Pattaya

When people travel to Pattaya, Thailand for dental work, they usually find the right dentist for just about every dental procedure possible.  Dental tourists in Pattaya can get everything from teeth whitening to accelerated orthodontics. 

Many dental clinics in Thailand have a majority of their clients as international tourists.  When you are looking for a dentist in Pattaya, look for the one who has expertise in your desired procedure, familiarity with international tourists, and with whom you can exchange phone calls or emails with prior to your dental trip.

Recovering from Dental Work

Whether you get dental implants or any other kind of dental work done, you will probably take at least a day or two to recover. Rather than doing so in your own environment where you will be bogged down by pressing obligations, you can recover while sipping on fresh coconut juice and looking at crystal clear water on a sandy beach.

Cost of Dental Work in Pattaya

Depending on what procedure you need to get done, patients normally save up to 60% on their dental work.  Usually people incur massive savings even after including the cost of stay and travel to Pattaya. 

How to Get to Pattaya

International travelers normally take a flight to Bangkok and then travel on to Pattaya by road. It is possible to hire a taxi or travel by bus. Either way, the journey should take no more than two hours by road. There are multiple buses throughout the day.

About Pattaya

Pattaya is one of the closest beach destinations to Thailand. It is a very popular tourist destination for both foreigners and nationals.  Within the first six months of 2011, there were more than 3 million foreign tourists to Pattaya. With a population of only a little more than 100,000, Pattaya has a good mix of peace and quiet as well as exciting nightlife. 

Stay

There is a wide range of places to stay in Pattaya, from budget to high end.  Even within a low budget, you can still find a relatively decent place to stay. You can stay on a beachfront property or inland away from the tourist areas. 

Other Sites and Things to Do

In addition to the beach, you may want to check out some of the other sites Pattaya has to offer during your dental trip to Thailand. Some things to see are:

·         Famous temples such as Wat Khao Phra Bat which overlooks Pattaya Bay and features an 18 meter tall statue of Lord Buddha.

·         Points of Interest such as The Sanctuary of Truth which is a beautiful wooden structure that exemplifies the idea that human civilization has and should be nurtured by philosophy and religion.

·         Wildlife at the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo. The zoo also has many alligators and other animals. You can also take a submarine trip to see coral and marine life.

These are just a few things you can do in addition to walking around Pattaya Beach while you are on your dental holiday for teeth replacement in Pattaya.  

Should You Travel Abroad for Teeth Replacement?

If you are missing one or more permanent teeth, then you know what a negative impact it can have on your entire life. Solutions do lie in the form of getting dental implants, crowns, bridges and dentures, yet getting them in the West can be a highly costly proposition, preventing some from having their teeth fixed. Luckily, if you need a teeth replacement procedure, you can get crowns, bridges, same day and all on 4 implants in India or in other dental tourism destinations at much more affordable prices. The only question is - should you get teeth replacements abroad?

 

Prepare Yourself First

Getting over the fear of traveling to a foreign country is the first step.  If you haven’t been abroad, then just going on a trip out of the country might seem daunting, let alone going for dental work.  However, traveling to another country doesn’t have to be intimidating, and in fact, it can be a great experience!  Of course, you will have to do your bit of homework for planning a seamless dental holiday. Further, it doesn’t even have to be that “foreign”.  Many dental clinics abroad cater specifically to the needs of international patients.  This means if you plan to go for teeth replacement procedures abroad, you are likely to encounter fellow compatriots getting their smiles refurbished as well. 

Things to Consider

Many Americans have lost at least one tooth, and statistics show that more than a fourth of the adults over 65 have lost all of their permanent teeth. However, not everyone can afford to get the procedures they need, which is why some decide to travel abroad for teeth replacement procedures. When you decide whether or not traveling abroad for getting missing teeth fixed is right for you, consider the following:

·         Are you healthy enough to travel abroad? You may have to take a flight that is at least a couple of hours to reach your dental tourism destination. You should have the stamina and health required to travel the necessary distance.

·         Are you interested in saving money on the cost of teeth replacement? The amount you save fluctuates depending on which procedure, city, and hospital you choose, but most people who travel abroad for teeth replacement save around 30-65% of the price they would have paid in their home country.

·         What kind of procedure are you looking to get and is it readily available in the city/country you are considering? First, choose the type of tooth replacement procedure you feel most suits you and then find the city right for it. For example, you may choose all on 4 implants in Bangkok if you are from Australia or New Zealand. However, if you are from Western Europe, then India might be a good option because of proximity.

·         Can you find a dentist who meets your needs? For this, you should always pick the most qualified and experienced dentist possible. You can do this by:

o   Finding out where he/she studied in dental school

o   Researching about his/her past record

o   Asking for the opinion of previous clients

o   Trying to visit an accredited dental hospital

There are many advantages of traveling to the popular dental holiday destinations such as India, Thailand and Mexico, in the form of great savings, the opportunity to take a vacation, and getting quality dental work. Yet, ultimately the decision is up to you. You need to choose what is right for you and your dental health!