Turkey teeth cost calculator: compare the full price of both options

"Turkey teeth" is a phrase used in the UK media, usually for crowns or veneers placed at a clinic in Turkey. When people search for the Turkey teeth cost, they often compare one treatment price with another. That leaves out a lot. A trip abroad adds flights, hotel nights, transfers, meals and time away from work. Many treatment plans also need two or more visits, for example one to prepare the teeth and one to fit the final work. This calculator adds all of these items to your quote, so you compare the full cost of each option rather than two headline figures.

The calculator does not show average prices, and we do not publish them. Treatment differs from person to person, and a figure that suits someone else can mislead you. Ask each provider for a written treatment plan with every item listed, then enter those amounts. The Oral Health Foundation points out that the headline cost does not always include everything you may need, such as scans, temporary teeth or follow-up visits. Check what each quote includes before you compare, and ask what happens if extra work turns out to be necessary.

The NHS treatment abroad checklist is clear that you cannot get reimbursement for dental treatment you have overseas, and NHS England does not reimburse travel or accommodation costs either. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and the older European Health Insurance Card are not valid in Turkey, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. If something goes wrong during your stay, your own travel insurance has to cover it. That is why the amounts you can enter as "covered" are optional and should only include sums that a plan or insurer has confirmed in writing.

There is a second insurance point to check. The UK government's Travel Aware campaign warns that most travel insurance policies will be invalidated by planned treatment abroad. Standard cover is unlikely to apply, so you may need a specialist policy, and you should arrange it well before you travel. Tell your insurer about your plans. If you add the cost of that policy under "Other costs per trip", the comparison becomes more realistic. Keep the policy wording, because it tells you what is and is not covered if you need care during or after your trip.

Aftercare is often where costs grow. The General Dental Council suggests asking whether the work is guaranteed, what aftercare is provided and who pays for extra flights, hotels or remedial work if you are unhappy with the result. The Oral Health Foundation notes that if something goes wrong, it can be difficult to get follow-up care from the clinic abroad, and UK dentists may be asked to repair or replace the work. Use "Number of trips" to test what happens to the total if you need one more visit than planned.

Crowns and veneers usually involve shaping your natural teeth, and the tooth structure that is removed does not grow back. That is a reason to take time over the decision wherever you have treatment. The NHS recommends talking to your own dentist first. Your dentist knows your history and can help with aftercare once you are home. The Travel Aware campaign also advises bringing back a full report in English for your UK clinician. Ask your dentist which questions matter most for your mouth before you sign anything.

• Is the work guaranteed, and for how long?
• What aftercare is included, and who do you contact once you are home?
• Who pays for extra flights, hotels or corrective work?
• Will you get your records and X-rays to take home?

The General Dental Council can only regulate dental professionals in the UK. It says it cannot guarantee that a similar regulator exists in other countries, so you need to check whether the dentist treating you is registered with the professional body where they work. Ask who will carry out the treatment, what their qualifications are and whether there is a complaints system you can see. If an overseas clinic offers a consultation in the UK, check on the GDC register that the dentist advising you is registered here.

The NHS lists warning signs to look out for before you book: a hard sell, a lack of information, pressure to decide quickly, no discussion of possible complications and no mention of aftercare. You should always be assessed by a qualified dentist before you are given a treatment plan and a cost estimate. If you are not happy with the answers, the GDC says you do not have to commit to anything that day. Our calculator gives you the numbers. The clinical decision belongs with you and your dentist.