Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye

Tolgay Ercan

doi:10.51754/ejmhs.1852509

Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye

Abstract

Dental diseases are among the most common diseases that reduce people's quality of life and carry a heavy economic burden. Patients seek treatment options in different countries, particularly to reduce costs. This situation leads to dental tourism. The state-authorized nature of dental health facilities, dentists, and health tourism agencies is a key criterion worldwide. This study aims to demonstrate that Türkiye has a sufficient number of state-authorized health facilities, dentists, and health tourism agencies for dental treatment, particularly in tourist regions, and that Türkiye holds a significant position in dental tourism. In this context, a survey of health facilities, dentists, and health tourism agencies providing dental services in Türkiye was conducted using data publicly disclosed by the Turkish Ministry of Health. The study reveals the presence of state-authorized health facilities, dentists, and agencies in Türkiye. It can be argued that the state has significant oversight of dental tourism in Türkiye, which is a key indicator of the safe and secure treatment provided by patients. It is clear that Türkiye has a sufficient number of authorized health facilities, dentists, and health tourism agencies providing dental services in tourist regions, and that there is room for improvement. It can also be said that the presence of government-authorized travel agencies in Türkiye is an important guide that enables patients to make easy and safe decisions before dental treatment and to have a smooth experience during post-treatment follow-up.

Keywords

References

Adams, K., Snyder, J., and Crooks, V. A. (2017). Narratives of a “Dental Oasis”: Examining Media Portrayals of Dental Tourism in the Border Town of Los Algodones, Mexico. Journal of Borderlands Studies, 34(3), 325–341. https://doi.org/10.1080/08865655.2016.1267584
Ahmadimanesh, F., Pourmehdi, M., and Paydar, M. M. (2021). Evaluation and prioritisation of potential locations for investment in dental tourism. Soft Computing, 25(24), 15313-15333. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-021-06124-2
Akbar, F. H., Pasiga, B. D., Samad, R., Rivai, F., Abdullah, A. Z., Awang, A. H., ... and Pratiwi, D. (2020). The Relationship between Service Quality, Culture Similarity to Satisfaction and Loyalty of Medical (Dental) Tourism. Systematic reviews in pharmacy, 11(8).
Ashiti, S., and Moshkun, C. (2021). Dental tourists: treat, re-treat or do not treat?. British dental journal, 230(2), 73-76. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2591-6
Aydın, A., and Işık, C. (2023). Examination of leading countries in the scope of dental tourism with Whatclinic: Türkiye, Hungary, Mexico and India. https://doi.org/10.58455/cutsad.1276891
Aydin, G. and Karamehmet, B. (2017), "Factors affecting health tourism and international health-care facility choice", International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 16-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPHM-05-2015-0018
Bawaskar, H. S., and Bawaskar, P. H. (2020). Oral diseases: a global public health challenge. The Lancet, 395(10219), 185-186.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31146-8
Charati, M.K., Gholian-Jouybari, F., Hajiaghaei-Keshteli, M. et al. Designing a sustainable dental tourism supply chain considering waste treatment. Ann Oper Res 342, 173–214 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-023-05779-4

D´Cruz, L. Türkiye teeth. BDJ In Pract 38, 129 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-025-
D´Cruz, L. Türkiye teeth. Br Dent J 235, 801 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6500-7
Dhama, K., Patthi, B., Singla, A., Gupta, R., Niraj, L. K., Ali, I., . and Prasad, M. (2016). Global tourist guide to oral care-A systematic review. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR, 10(9), ZE01. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2016/19438.8408
Doughty, J., Moore, D., Ellis, M., Jago, J., Ananth, P., Montasem, A., and Johnson, I. (2025). Contemporary dental tourism: a review of reporting in the UK news media. British dental journal, 238(4), 230-237. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-8330-2
Erhan, D. A. Ğ., Kılınç, Z. A., Demir, Y., and TOSUN, N. (2025). Türkiye’de Dental Turizmin Dinamikleri: Motivasyon ve Memnuniyet Üzerine Bir Çalışma (The Dynamics of Dental Tourism in Türkiye: A Study on Motivation and Satisfaction). Journal of Tourism and Gastronomy Studies, 13(2), 1783-1800. https://doi.org/10.21325/jotags.2025.1632
Felgner, S., Dreger, M., and Henschke, C. (2022). Reasons for (not) choosing dental treatments—A qualitative study based on patients’ perspective. PLoS One, 17(5), e0267656.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267656
Filippi, A., Gheorghe, R., and Zürcher, A. (2017). Dental tourism from Switzerland to Germany. Swıss Dental Journal SSO–Science and Clinical Topics, 127(7/8), 618-633. https://doi.org/10.61872/sdj-2017-07/08-302 https://shgmturizmdb.saglik.gov.tr/
Jaapar, M., Musa, G., Moghavvemi, S., and Saub, R. (2017). Dental tourism: Examining tourist profiles, motivation and satisfaction. Tourism Management, 61, 538-552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.02.023
Kamath, K., Hugar, S., Kumar, V., Gokhale, N., Uppin, C., and Hugar, S. S. (2015). The business and pleasure of teeth: Dental tourism. International Journal of Contemporary Dental and Medical Reviews, 2015. doi: 10.15713/ins.ijcdmr.82
Kaur, R., and Hira, J. K. (2021). Enquiring the dental practitioners' perceptions about dental tourism: a phenomenological viewpoint. World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 17(2-3), 323-342. https://doi.org/10.1504/WREMSD.2021.114438
Kovacs, E., Szocska, G. 'Vacation for your teeth' – dental tourists in Hungary from the perspective of Hungarian dentists. Br Dent J 215, 415–418 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2013.995
Llandro, H. (2025). Dental tourism-an expensive break?. BDJ In Practice, 38(4), 122-123. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-025-3089-3
Lovelock, B., Lovelock, K., and Lyons, K. (2018). The impact of outbound medical (dental) tourism on the generating region: New Zealand dental professionals' perspectives. Tourism Management, 67, 399-410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.02.001
Lwin, H. N. N., Punnakitikashem, P., and Thananusak, T. (2021). The level and determinants of international patient satisfaction with dental tourism in Bangkok, Thailand. Cogent Business and Management, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1898316
Nadanovsky, P., Dos Santos, A. P. P., and Nunan, D. (2024). Too much dentistry. JAMA Internal Medicine, 184(7), 713-714. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.0222
Oltean, F. D., Gabor, M. R., Stăncioiu, A. F., Kardos, M., Kiss, M., and Marinescu, R. C. (2020). Aspects of marketing in dental tourism factor of sustainable development in Romania. Sustainability, 12(10), 4320. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104320
Osman, A. (2025). ‘During that time, dental tourism wasn't just a concept; it was a thriving industry woven into the very fabric of dental education and practice'. BDJ In Practice, 38(4), 118-119. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-025-3105-7
Österle, A., Balázs, P. and Delgado, J. Travelling for teeth: characteristics and perspectives of dental care tourism in Hungary. Br Dent J 206, 425–428 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.308
Panteli, D., Augustin, U., Röttger, J., Struckmann, V., Verheyen, F., Wagner, C., and Busse, R. (2015). Informed consumer or unlucky visitor? A profile of German patients who received dental services abroad. Community dentistry and oral epidemiology, 43(5), 415-423. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12164.
Petersen, P. E. (2004). Challenges to improvement of oral health in the 21st century—the approach of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme. International dental journal, 54, 329-343.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1875-595X.2004.tb00009.x
Ramos, K., and Cuamea, O. (2023). Dental tourism: factors influencing travelers’ revisit intention to the Mexican border. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 9(3), 806-831. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-03-2023-0046
Righolt AJ, Jevdjevic M, Marcenes W, Listl S. Global-, Regional-, and Country-Level Economic Impacts of Dental Diseases in 2015. Journal of Dental Research. 2018;97(5):501-507. doi:10.1177/0022034517750572
Saxena, V., Dehariya, M., and Datla, A. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of dental tourism: A global perspective. International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.30491/IJTMGH.2023.387742.1349
Shabankareh, M., Nazarian, A., Golestaneh, M. H., and Dalouchi, F. (2025). Health tourism and government supports. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 20(4), 1440-1464.https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-03-2022-0391
Siripipatthanakul, S. (2021). Service quality, patient satisfaction, word-of-Mouth, and revisit intention in a dental clinic, Thailand. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD), 5(5), 832-841.
Turner, L. Cross-border dental care: 'dental tourism' and patient mobility. Br Dent J 204, 553–554 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.403
Тürk, Е., Аrı, Y., and Shokparov, A. (2024). The role of health tourısm travel agencıes ın health tourısm. Bulletin of the International University of Tourism And Hospitality, (III (5)), 6-14.https://www.doi.org/10.62867/3007-0848.2024-3/5.01.
Westgarth, D. (2025). What are the reasons behind the rise of dental tourism?. BDJ In Practice, 38(4), 112-116. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-025-3094-6
Zoltan, J., and Maggi, R. (2010). What is tourism in dental tourism. Faculty of Economics, University of Lugano, Switzerland.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Tolgay Ercan ^*
0000-0002-6893-4358
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

September 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 27, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.51754/ejmhs.1852509

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA84DC92WR

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ercan, T. (2025). Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences, 10(3), 209-217. https://doi.org/10.51754/ejmhs.1852509

AMA

1.Ercan T. Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye. Eur J Multidiscip Health Sci. 2025;10(3):209-217. doi:10.51754/ejmhs.1852509

Chicago

Ercan, Tolgay. 2025. “Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye”. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences 10 (3): 209-17. https://doi.org/10.51754/ejmhs.1852509.

EndNote

Ercan T (December 1, 2025) Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences 10 3 209–217.

IEEE

[1]T. Ercan, “Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye”, Eur J Multidiscip Health Sci, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 209–217, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.51754/ejmhs.1852509.

ISNAD

Ercan, Tolgay. “Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye”. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences 10/3 (December 1, 2025): 209-217. https://doi.org/10.51754/ejmhs.1852509.

JAMA

1.Ercan T. Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye. Eur J Multidiscip Health Sci. 2025;10:209–217.

MLA

Ercan, Tolgay. “Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye”. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences, vol. 10, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 209-17, doi:10.51754/ejmhs.1852509.

Vancouver

1.Tolgay Ercan. Evaluating the Importance of Authorized Health Services in Dental Tourism in Turkiye. Eur J Multidiscip Health Sci. 2025 Dec. 1;10(3):209-17. doi:10.51754/ejmhs.1852509