Dental tourism

[bati]

Hi
I am so glad I found this forum to connect directly with people who may need or help me with what I do.
We have a dental clinic in Istanbul that has certification for health tourism. We have patients from european countries but we want to appeal more people. We have started with facebook and Instagram ads, but I prefer to contact people directly to see if I am in the right direction.

There are many from the UK traveling to treat their teeth abroad. The reason may be that it is cheaper abroad and/or it takes a long time to get treatment time in some countries, and other causes for sure.
One of the preferred countries is Turkey.
The first thing I want to ask is, do I have the right to say about the clinic here? share the web page or facebook instagram pages to show a picture of the clinic? And the other thing I want to ask is how can I appeal to more people directly?

I will be so grateful if someone guides me.
best regards
Shiller

 

[The Byre]

I don't think you can advertise here - but you can always buy advertising.

I would certainly make a YouTube video of your clinic and have various dentists and dental technicians talk to camera and show patients being treated.

The best dentist I ever came across was a friend of mine from Istanbul called Raha Yachmuldarehli and he ran a clinic in Berlin and we used to go out looking for girls together back in the 70s. Nearly every time a girl discovered that he was a dentist, they would ask him to look at their teeth - it became quite a standing joke between us.

 

[Ian J]

Nearly every time a girl discovered that he was a dentist, they would ask him to look at their teeth

Shame he wasn't a gynaecologist then

 

[Pish_Pash]

I considered this just a few weeks ago - needed root canal with a crown ...estimated cost £1200 (London rates) - I figured I might be able to get a holiday thrown in if I went abroad...trouble is this time of year...you have to go further south to be guaranteed warm climes - the other thing that put me off is I couldn't find anyone offering a one stop shop (room & dental procedure)....I concluded tha it just seemed to much of an ordeal for the savings involved.

In the end I went to a local dentist ...painful (no, not the root canal...paying for it)

 

[ComPropSolicitor]

I have had two or three abscesses on teeth. They are not fun. The pain is more or less unbearable I cannot imagine having to deal with the airport and also a 4 1/2 hour flight and then transfers etc. carting around a suitcase with that pain. I could get antibiotics in this Country first to get rid of the abscess but I would imagine by the time the swelling had gone - they would have had me in for an appointment anyway.

The last time this happened btw - I went to an online dentist and I had a prescription sent to me within 20 minutes. I don't really see why going to Turkey would be a thing to be honest? I get that its cheaper but then there's the risk you have to factor in as well.

 

[MikeJ]

Shame he wasn't a gynaecologist then

 

[Mr D]

A relative of mine had tooth problems, was told first appointment he could have was 3 days later.
So he contacted a dental hospital in a nearby city - he had to be there when they opened the doors at 6am he was told.
By 7.30am next morning he was on his way home having had the tooth extracted.

 

[MikeJ]

It's clearly not appropriate for emergency work. Cosmetic work makes sense, as it's higher value (therefore greater potential for savings) and something you can plan, in order to get a cheap flight.

There's a big market in Ireland for Polish dentists advertising in Catholic magazines. There's regular pilgramages to Poland, by Polish immigrants (I think to JP2's birthplace). Because Polish dentists are much cheaper than Irish, they try to get people to schedule any work while they're in the country.

(there's a joke here about scale and Polish, but it's not as good as Ian's one above...)

 

[bati]

I don't think you can advertise here - but you can always buy advertising.

I would certainly make a YouTube video of your clinic and have various dentists and dental technicians talk to camera and show patients being treated.

The best dentist I ever came across was a friend of mine from Istanbul called Raha Yachmuldarehli and he ran a clinic in Berlin and we used to go out looking for girls together back in the 70s. Nearly every time a girl discovered that he was a dentist, they would ask him to look at their teeth - it became quite a standing joke between us.

Nice to hear that you are experienced in being a dental tourist. Then you still come to Turkey maybe sometimes ?

We are actually intend to make a professional video to introduce the clinic.
It was a pity not to be able to say about our clinic. But what you mean is to pay for one year's membership or? if possible then I will pay for the membership maybe,..

By the way you know other forums that may be more interested in health??
Like Men's or Womens guide.. or... It is very interested to get know people and their experiences. And sure maybe I could help some too.
Thank you in advance

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I quite like the idea of going to Istanbul to make my teeth shiny
It is better than going into Exeter

I don't see how you would save much money paying for flights and accommodation and if I drove down in the German whip well it would be about £800 in petrol Maybe more

 

[The Byre]

I have never had to engage in dental tourism as I have good teeth. In fact, I never had to have Raha look at my teeth once, but he did my wife's teeth and other dentists afterwards praised what they found in her mouth.

There are several things that I would criticise about your website, but to get a full run-down of everything that needs fixing requires you to be a full member of this forum. One thing I would state on such a website is what it costs to have a job done in the UK and what the same job would cost at your place. I would also have a German page, as there are so many German-Turkish people in Germany (many of whom have lost the ability to speak Turkish) and even if they go to a Turkish dentist, the dentist still has to charge German rates.

One used to get most dental work free in Germany (a long time ago!) but nowadays the insurance societies are less generous, especially if the patient has failed to keep up with their annual free check-ups.

 

[Ian J]

I quite like the idea of going to Istanbul to make my teeth shiny
It is better than going into Exeter

Can't you just take them out and post them to a teeth shiner?

 

[bati]

I considered this just a few weeks ago - needed root canal with a crown ...estimated cost £1200 (London rates) - I figured I might be able to get a holiday thrown in if I went abroad...trouble is this time of year...you have to go further south to be guaranteed warm climes - the other thing that put me off is I couldn't find anyone offering a one stop shop (room & dental procedure)....I concluded tha it just seemed to much of an ordeal for the savings involved.

In the end I went to a local dentist ...painful (no, not the root canal...paying for it)

You gave me a good example now. Such a huge difference in the prices. I had no idea about the rates there. Almost %70 different. If you find a cheap flight it is totally worth to take a weekend trip down here just for treatment. And the joy of trip is going to be your bonus
By the way we have agreement with some hotels, so we can help our patients to schedule a hotel room for more affordable price. So you won't think about that.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Can't you just take them out and post them to a teeth shiner?

Yes good Idea I don't really enjoy this getting older lark

 

[bati]

I have had two or three abscesses on teeth. They are not fun. The pain is more or less unbearable I cannot imagine having to deal with the airport and also a 4 1/2 hour flight and then transfers etc. carting around a suitcase with that pain. I could get antibiotics in this Country first to get rid of the abscess but I would imagine by the time the swelling had gone - they would have had me in for an appointment anyway.

The last time this happened btw - I went to an online dentist and I had a prescription sent to me within 20 minutes. I don't really see why going to Turkey would be a thing to be honest? I get that its cheaper but then there's the risk you have to factor in as well.

Of course. I respect your choice. Some may think just that it is unnecessary to pay so much when they can pay less for it and also have a holiday.

 

[bati]

It's clearly not appropriate for emergency work. Cosmetic work makes sense, as it's higher value (therefore greater potential for savings) and something you can plan, in order to get a cheap flight.

There's a big market in Ireland for Polish dentists advertising in Catholic magazines. There's regular pilgramages to Poland, by Polish immigrants (I think to JP2's birthplace). Because Polish dentists are much cheaper than Irish, they try to get people to schedule any work while they're in the country.

(there's a joke here about scale and Polish, but it's not as good as Ian's one above...)

Yes you have also right. It is more worthy to take the flight for implant or other treatments that is higher in value maybe.Bu entirely based on the person's requirements, and of course budget i think.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Nice to hear that you are experienced in being a dental tourist. Then you still come to Turkey maybe sometimes ?

We are actually intend to make a professional video to introduce the clinic.
It was a pity not to be able to say about our clinic. But what you mean is to pay for one year's membership or? if possible then I will pay for the membership maybe,..

By the way you know other forums that may be more interested in health??
Like Men's or Womens guide.. or... It is very interested to get know people and their experiences. And sure maybe I could help some too.
Thank you in advance

you probably need to give some thought to marketing

The best way to use a forum is to engage and be interesting/interested.

there will be other platforms where your video might work well - you need to research and perhaps post on the marketing forum here which platforms they might be.

 

[bati]

I quite like the idea of going to Istanbul to make my teeth shiny
It is better than going into Exeter

I don't see how you would save much money paying for flights and accommodation and if I drove down in the German whip well it would be about £800 in petrol Maybe more

Since I have no idea how much it costs to have bleach where you live. I can not help you. Him maybe you can write me the price of whitening. It wıll be good for me to know it also

 

[bati]

you probably need to give some thought to marketing

The best way to use a forum is to engage and be interesting/interested.

there will be other platforms where your video might work well - you need to research and perhaps post on the marketing forum here which platforms they might be.

I'm very interested but since I don't quite know the law in this forum so I'm a little careful about giving informations..I'm sorry if there is such a marketing place here I didn't see it.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I'm very interested but since I don't quite know the law in this forum so I'm a little careful about giving informations..I'm sorry if there is such a marketing place here I didn't see it.

I wouldn’t worry too much about the rules. My comments are more around being effective in your marketing

 

[RobinBHM]

You gave me a good example now. Such a huge difference in the prices. I had no idea about the rates there. Almost %70 different

I believe dental implants are around £2000 to £2,500 per tooth in the UK, so I guess cheaper in Turkey?

A key part of your marketing will be the need to reassure potential clients the work will be safe and to UK standards. Health tourism does present real risks.......

 

[bati]

I believe dental implants are around £2000 to £2,500 per tooth in the UK, so I guess cheaper in Turkey?

A key part of your marketing will be the need to reassure potential clients the work will be safe and to UK standards. Health tourism does present real risks.......

Exactly it is much cheaper in Turkey. The price for one tooth is something between 800 and 1425 euro. Varies on what kind of crown and what type of implant the patient chooses. That is a big difference.

You are so right. That is very importent as you say. I have to explain that I lived in Norway for many years and I understand. And if this clinic was not in the european standards, I would not accept to work with.
To give the clients a clear picture about the clinics quality. In our website we give the trust with the picture and explanations. We use the latest technology and our specialists are very experienced and qualified. Something that we miss is our patients feedbacks. Our clinic has been a bit lazy to ask for reviews from patients. I know that is very important, we will hopefully do this.

And I heard something about the insurance that covers a part for clients and in case if some problems happens they will cover to fix the complications.

 

[bati]

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