Last fact-checked: 8 July 2024

Book an appointment with one of our quality-checked dentists in Izmir, Turkey for low-cost dental care. Dental tourists in Izmir can save up to 70% of the treatment cost back home.

Izmir is a top choice for a variety of dental procedures due to its high-quality and affordable care. International patients benefit from advanced technology and internationally accredited standards. Additionally, Izmir's pleasant Mediterranean climate, rich history and vibrant culture enhance the experience–making it a prime destination for combining dental care with a relaxing holiday.

Dental Departures has teamed up with verified clinics conveniently located in stunning locations. Continue reading to find out how much you can save on your next treatment. 

Izmir is Turkey’s third-largest city. Located at the head of the Gulf of Izmir on the Aegean Coast, it’s one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, dating back more than 5,000 years.

Izmir was historically known as Smyrna and was founded by Aeolians, according to Greek historian Herodotus, before being seized by Ionians. The city has been of huge importance to successive conquerors, including the Crusaders, the Byzantines and eventually the Ottomans in the 15th Century.

The Turks retook the city from the Greeks in 1922, rebuilding much of it after years of fierce fighting. It was selected as the site for the headquarters of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and its prominent position on trade routes was important in enabling it to export agricultural products, including cotton, tobacco and figs as well as manufactured goods, such as silk and carpets.

Today, Izmir is a popular gateway to beach resorts along the Aegean, such as the ever-popular Bodrum and Kusadasi, as well as less well-known towns, such as Alacati. However, Izmir itself is a tourist location in its own right, with an international airport only 16 km (10 miles) from the city.

While you won’t find any beaches here, a waterfront promenade winds through the heart of the city and is packed with cafes and bars to provide a leisurely walkway with plenty of watering holes! It’s the perfect end to a day mooching and bartering at a local bazaar or market or for some rest and recuperation after dental treatment.

Dental patients in the UK are finding it increasingly difficult to sign up with an NHS dentist; the latest British Dental Association figures state that approximately one million patients have failed to secure access to NHS dental services. 

In the absence of affordable dental care with the NHS, patients either have to go private (if they can find one that accepts new patients), which can be hugely expensive even for the most basic procedures–or go without. This is why the lure of lower-cost dental care in holiday locations overseas, like Izmir, has become such an attractive alternative.

While most people may be aware of the benefits of dental tourism when looking to cut costs on a complex, expensive procedure, some may not realise that if they travel abroad regularly (even if it’s just once a year on holiday), money can be saved on regular check-ups and preventive dentistry as well.

For example, in the UK a check-up, perhaps an x-ray, professional teeth cleaning with scaling and polishing plus a dental filling at a private dentist will cost several hundred pounds. In Izmir, it’s easy to pay less than half that and still receive the same quality of care. If you are worried about the cost of maintaining your dental health at home without an NHS dentist, then you should seriously consider factoring it in when you go on holiday.

Sure, a dentist might be the last person you want to see on your trip, but for millions of patients around the world, it is worth just an hour or two out of a holiday to keep teeth and gums in shape for another year.

Dentists in Turkey are well-trained and have the required skills and expertise to offer both general and specialist procedures. In Izmir, you’ll find that clinics are modern, with state-of-the-art equipment, such as digital x-rays, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) and 3D scanning as standard in many of them.

UK and Irish visitors will find they can get direct flights to Izmir from many cities at home with low-cost airlines, such as Easyjet, Ryanair, Jet2, Thomas Cook and TUI. 

Dental care in Izmir costs considerably less than it does at home. Check out the average comparison prices for popular dental treatments in the table below:

Best Clinics and Dentists in Izmir, Turkey

– DentaGlobal Dental Clinic

– West Dental Clinic

– DentaPoint Dental Clinics

Where to Stay in Izmir?

A good range of hotels and other accommodation options are available in Izmir to suit all budgets and tastes. In the city, you can find larger chain hotels, as well as smaller boutique ones. Another option is to rent a studio apartment or villa—all at highly competitive prices, especially if you want to head out to one of the nearby resorts along the coast.

Will I Be Safe in Izmir?

Following the attempted coup in 2016, heightened security and a state of emergency were in place until 2018. Sporadic political demonstrations may take place in Izmir city centre or along the waterfront, and it is best to leave the area if one develops as the police may use water cannons or tear gas to disperse them.

Terrorism remains a threat throughout Turkey, but mostly near the Syrian border—a long way from any of Turkey’s holiday resorts which are as safe as anywhere else in the world. Generally, tourists are safe in Izmir, but the usual caveats about petty crime apply. Keep your belongings safe and your wits about you so you don’t fall victim to pickpockets and scammers.

Travelling to Izmir

Direct flights land at Izmir’s own international airport from all around the world, with plenty of low-cost carriers from airports around the British Isles as well.

What Happens if Something Goes Wrong? Is My Dental Care Guaranteed?

Fortunately, one of the benefits of booking with a reliable facility is that things are far less likely to go wrong. That said, it is worth remembering that no medical treatment can ever be guaranteed completely, given that we are all individuals and react to things differently.

In the unlikely event that something isn’t quite right after your treatment, all our listed dental clinics provide warranties on the treatments they carry out, including lab work, such as dentures, crowns or veneers, so you can return to the clinic to get it fixed. This is why it’s worth allowing a few days after your treatment before you travel home. Fortunately, in the small minority of our patients that have had any issues, the problem has been a tiny one that was easily resolved.

If you are having costly major treatment, then you may want to consider taking out medical complications insurance. If you have travelled home, then this insurance will pay for your flights and accommodation should you need to go back to your dentist in Izmir for remedial work, ensuring you won’t be left out-of-pocket.

What Payment Methods Are Accepted at Dental Clinics in Izmir?

The methods of payment each of our clinics accepts are provided in the clinic’s listing on our website. Generally, cash (Turkish Lira and Euros), Visa/Mastercard credit/debit cards, traveller cheques and bank transfers are all accepted.

Turkey Visa Information

Foreign nationals need an e-visa to enter Turkey for stays of up to 90 days. Many nationals from countries, including the UK, can apply online. 

Getting Around Izmir

You can get a train from the airport to the city centre, which takes about half an hour, with trains departing about every 10 minutes. You also have the “Havas” buses, or public buses, that take around 45 minutes. The big-name car rental companies, including Hertz, Avis and Budget, all have offices in the airport.

As for getting around the city? Just flag down a taxi or use the convenient metro system.

When Is the Best Time to Visit a Dentist in Izmir?

Summer temperatures are hot, averaging 30 C (86 F) from June to September. The busiest times of year tend to be July and August, which coincide with European school holidays.

May and October are good times to avoid the crowds with the weather still warm enough to enjoy sunbathing and swimming. However, even in the winter, the temperatures are still mild. If you are keen on sightseeing then this could be a good time to go as attractions like Ephesus are open throughout the year, as are our dentists in Izmir.

Izmir dates back centuries and exploring its ancient artifacts is part of its charm. The Roman and Greek ruins at Agora, which was destroyed by an earthquake in AD178 before being rebuilt by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, are certainly worth exploring.

There isn’t much remaining of Kadifekale Castle on top of Kadifekale Hill but you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Gulf of Izmir, the city and the harbour.

The city and surrounding countryside are full of interesting places of worship, both Muslim and Christian. The Yali Mosque is a tiny, tiled building, complete with a minaret, next to the Governor’s mansion in Konak Square, and it’s worth taking a peek inside at the gold and blue dome of the Hisar Mosque, the largest in the city, just by the Kemeralti Bazaar. The Church of St Polycarp is the oldest-functioning Christian house of worship in Izmir, dating back to the early 17th century, although it’s not always open to the public outside of mass services.

You have access to several museums, including the Archaeology Museum, Ataturk Museum and the Izmir Museum of History and Art. One of the more unusual ones is the Izmir Mask Museum, hidden away in a house on a bar-filled street, its collection includes decorative and ceremonial masks from around the world.

The Kemeralti Market is a huge bazaar that dates back to the 17th century where artisan workshops, mosques, shops, eateries, coffee houses and colourful courtyards provide an authentic experience of Izmir. A more touristy experience is the Kizlaragasi Hani, located in a beautifully restored Ottoman-built warehouse dating back to 1744 that sells souvenirs, and rugs, among other things.

From Izmir, you can do a day trip to the ancient city of Ephesus (and UNESCO World Heritage Site). This large area is well preserved and was once the most important Ionian city in Asia Minor.

Whether you’re a culture vulture or enjoy café society, Izmir is a laid-back city where you can take in the sights in a leisurely way—and, as a dental tourist, you’ll find plenty of things to see and do in between trips to the dentist.

Distance from Izmir to Tourist Locations

– Alacati, 47 miles (77 km)

– Ephesus, 49 miles (79 km)

– Kusadasi, 51 miles (83 km)

– Didim, 100 miles (161 km)

– Bodrum, 148 miles (239 km)

Search the listings on Dental Departures to find your dentist and conveniently schedule your appointment online at no charge to you.

If you have any questions or would like additional help, our Customer Care Team is available around the clock. They can also help with booking an appointment, as well as provide a free, no-obligation quote for your dental care.

Sources:

Izmir. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Website accessed: 8 July 2024.  https://www.britannica.com/place/Izmir

Pliers, abscesses and agonising pain: Britain’s dental crisis–as seen from A&E. Website accessed: 8 July 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/jan/30/pliers-abscesses-and-agonising-pain-britains-dental-crisis-as-seen-from-ae

Chouman, Sarah. Gum Disease: Stages, Prevention and Treatment. Ask the Dentist. Website accessed: 2 July 2024 https://askthedentist.com/gum-disease-stages-prevention-treatment/

Sandilands, Tracey. CAD/CAM Dentistry: What is it? Colgate. Website accessed: 8 July 2024. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/dental-visits/cad-cam-dentistry--what-is-it-

Turkey visa requirement. Website accessed: 8 July  2024. https://www.turkeyvisaeasy.com/requirements#eligible-countries

Must Visit Tourist Attractions in Izmir, Turkey. Website accessed: 5 July  2024. https://www.visaturkey.org/must-visit-tourist-attractions-in-izmir-turkey

Ephesus. UNESCO. Website accessed: 2 July 2024.  https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1018