So, you’ve decided to get your teeth done abroad. You’ve found the clinic, booked your flights, and maybe even chosen the “Instagrammable” hotel with a rooftop pool. But have you looked at your travel insurance?

Spoiler: your standard policy probably doesn’t cover dental work overseas — and assuming it does could leave you out of pocket if anything goes wrong.

With thousands of Brits travelling to Turkey each year for cosmetic dentistry, travel insurance has become an overlooked but essential part of the planning process. In this guide, we’ll walk through what is — and isn’t — usually covered, and what to look for before you set off.

What travel insurance does cover

Most off-the-shelf travel insurance policies are designed to cover things like:

  • Trip cancellation or delays
  • Lost luggage or passports
  • Emergency medical treatment (e.g. broken leg, food poisoning)

But when it comes to pre-planned, elective procedures like cosmetic dental work, that’s where the fine print kicks in. These treatments are considered non-essential — meaning your policy likely won’t cover complications, follow-ups, or cancellations related to them.

If you’re heading to Turkey specifically for cosmetic dental treatment, your insurer may take the view that you’ve knowingly entered into a “high-risk” trip — even if the risk is relatively low.

What’s not covered (in most standard policies)

Here’s what typical travel insurance won’t cover:

  • The procedure itself — You can’t claim for the cost of veneers, crowns, or implants.
  • Complications from the procedure — If something goes wrong during or after treatment, your insurer will often exclude liability.
  • Follow-up care — If you need further dental work once back in the UK, it’s on you.
  • Trip cancellations due to treatment issues — If your treatment is delayed and you miss a flight, or the clinic cancels last-minute, that’s unlikely to be covered either.

So, what can you do?

If you want peace of mind, you need to take out specialist insurance that covers medical tourism or elective procedures. There are some great providers onliune — and they’re worth considering if you want to protect your investment.

Some UK-based insurers now offer bolt-on packages for medical travel, while others require you to go through niche brokers.

When looking for coverage, ask:

  • Will this policy cover complications from elective procedures?
  • Are dental treatments abroad specifically included?
  • Is Turkey included in the coverage area?
  • Will I be covered once I return to the UK, if a problem arises?

Is it worth the extra cost?

It depends. If your chosen clinic offers a comprehensive aftercare plan and strong guarantees — as the best Turkish clinics do — you may feel secure without specialist insurance.

Leading clinic Smile Dental Turkey, for instance, offers detailed treatment plans, multilingual support, and follow-up care policies that give patients confidence. The vast majority of patients never need to make an insurance claim. But, knowing you’re covered if something goes wrong can offer peace of mind. If you’re investing thousands in your smile, adding a couple of hundred pounds for solid coverage may be a smart move.

What about EHIC or GHIC cards?

The old EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) and new GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) offer emergency medical care in EU countries and a few others — but Turkey is not one of them.

So no, these won’t help you if you need treatment during your stay in Istanbul or Antalya.

Don’t forget: your UK dentist won’t cover this either

One common misconception is that your NHS or private UK dentist will “fix” any problems caused abroad. But UK practitioners are not liable — nor insured — to correct someone else’s work done overseas, and many may decline to get involved altogether.

In other words: if you come home with botched veneers, you’ll be footing the bill to correct them.

A checklist before you travel:

  • Contact your insurer and explain you’re travelling for elective dental treatment. Get clear answers in writing.
  • Look into specialist medical tourism insurance if standard policies won’t cover complications.
  • Review your clinic’s guarantees and aftercare plans.
  • Keep all documentation — treatment plans, correspondence, proof of payment.
  • Know where to turn in the unlikely event of a problem — both locally in Turkey and when you return home.

Final thoughts

Getting dental work abroad is a big decision. But, it doesn’t have to be a risky one. With the right preparation, including a realistic look at your travel insurance options, you can protect both your smile and your wallet.

Most patients have a seamless, life-changing experience with cosmetic dentists in Turkey. But don’t let the excitement of a smile makeover distract you from the boring (but vital) admin that makes it all go smoothly. Before you book your flights and pack your sunglasses — do the research and check the small print.