Turkey medical tourism linked to severe patient complications

Patients traveling to Turkey for low-cost dental and cosmetic procedures are reporting severe medical complications and fraudulent practices.

A 53-year-old Canadian man underwent a complex 12-tooth implant procedure at Anatolia Lara Hospital in Antalya. During the five-hour surgery, the patient suffered cardiac arrest and hypoxic encephalopathy, requiring medical evacuation back to Canada for intensive care. The patient's family noted that Turkey was selected due to lower costs compared to Canada.

Other patients have reported similar ordeals involving cosmetic surgeries. One man, recounting his experience on Greek television, described a hair transplant procedure as “torture,” alleging that the person performing the surgery was a beautician rather than a doctor. He also noted that the clinic, which had promised luxury accommodations and services, was significantly smaller than advertised and eventually closed down, forcing him to pay for corrective treatments in Greece.

While countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, and various Eastern European nations offer dental and cosmetic services at 40% to 80% less than in the US or Canada, experts warn of risks including inconsistent infection control standards, lower-quality materials, and communication barriers.