How to complain about a Turkish dental clinic

The Oral Health Foundation suggests asking a clinic abroad, before you book, whether it has a clear complaints process. Few patients ask. When something goes wrong later, they are not sure who to contact or what to say. This guide sets out the routes in the order that usually works best.

Step 1: write to the clinic

Most problems, such as a loose crown, a chipped veneer or a sore implant, are handled under the guarantee. Write, rather than call, so there is a record.

• Who: the clinic’s official email, and the coordinator you dealt with. Copy the dentist if you have their address.
• What: the date of treatment, what was done, what is wrong now, and since when.
• Evidence: clear photos and, if you have seen a UK dentist, their notes or X-ray.
• What you want: a repair, a contribution to UK treatment, a refund for something not done.
• When: ask for a reply within a set time, such as 14 days.

Refer to your written guarantee and treatment plan. See reading a clinic’s guarantee.

Step 2: if the clinic does not help

HealthTürkiye

HealthTürkiye is the Ministry of Health’s portal for international patients, and the list every clinic in our register comes from. Its contact page lists 24/7 support on +90 850 288 38 38 and a contact form. Explain that you are an international patient of an authorised facility and give the clinic’s name and authorisation number.

Turkish state channels

CİMER, the Presidential Communication Centre (cimer.gov.tr), is Turkey’s general channel for applications and complaints to public bodies. The Ministry of Health also runs its own communication centre, SABİM. These are Turkish-language services and may require registration, so a Turkish-speaking friend or lawyer can help.

Step 3: your money

If you paid by card and the service was not provided as agreed, ask your card provider whether you can make a chargeback or a claim. Act quickly: card schemes have time limits. Keep receipts, the treatment plan and the clinic’s replies.

Step 4: legal advice

For serious harm or large sums, speak to a lawyer. The UK Foreign Office’s “find a lawyer abroad” service lists English-speaking lawyers in Turkey. A lawyer can advise on the Turkish routes for patient claims and on time limits.

What the UK can and cannot do

• The NHS will treat urgent problems, but will not reimburse treatment abroad or pay for cosmetic corrections.
• The General Dental Council regulates dentists registered in the UK, not those working in Turkey.
• The British Embassy can provide lists of lawyers and support in emergencies, but cannot intervene in a private dispute.

Keep a file

1. Treatment plan, guarantee and invoices.
2. Implant card and scans.
3. Photos with dates.
4. Every message, with dates.
5. UK dentist’s notes.

Complaints about our clinic

If you are a Precious Dental patient, write to us at info@dentprecious.com or through the contact page. The same routes above apply to us.

Common questions

Can I complain to the UK General Dental Council?

Only about dentists registered with the GDC, which Turkish dentists working in Turkey usually are not. The GDC regulates UK practice.

Will a complaint affect a clinic’s listing in your register?

Our checks use public sources, not complaints sent to us, because we cannot investigate them fairly. A clinic removed from HealthTürkiye is removed from our register.

How long should I give the clinic to reply?

Ask for a reply within a set time, such as 14 days, in your first message. Keep a dated record of every message.

Is it worth going to a lawyer?

For a serious injury or a large sum, a lawyer can tell you your options. For smaller problems the clinic’s guarantee and your card provider are usually quicker.

Sources

1. HealthTürkiye: contact and 24/7 support
2. CİMER: Presidential Communication Centre
3. FCDO: find a lawyer abroad (Turkey)
4. Oral Health Foundation: going abroad for dental treatment

Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.