From NHS Deserts to Turkish Paradise: Why I Flew from London to Antalya for a Simple Check-Up (And Still Came Home Grinning)

Alex van Terheyden
3 days ago
3 min read

Picture this: a drizzly Tuesday in London, mirror in hand, poking at a tooth that’s been quietly plotting rebellion since 2019. You ring your GP. “Dentist? Good luck.” The NHS waiting list isn’t a queue—it’s a saga. In 2025, over 12 million Brits can’t access routine dental care, with “dental deserts” swallowing entire postcodes—even in the capital. Even a Band 1 check-up (£27.40) means 6–18 months of crossed fingers. Private in central London? £100–£150 just to open wide.

Enter Antalya, Turkey—Roman port turned dental mecca—where azure skies meet cutting-edge clinics, and a simple, clean doesn’t require a second mortgage. I didn’t fly 2,000 miles for Hollywood veneers. I went for a check-up and scale-and-polish… and came home wondering why we settle for less.

My Journey: From London X-Rays to Antalya Sunshine

I already had recent X-rays from my London dentist (sent via email—no repeat radiation needed). Antlara Dental Clinic reviewed them in 24 hours, confirmed everything looked stable, and invited me over. Flight + hotel covered for this review—but the footage, edits, and every “blimey, this is smooth” reaction? 100% mine, unscripted, self-shot.

Day 1 – Touchdown & Transfer

Private driver from Antalya Airport → door-to-door in a fantastic car (see video to see how bling that car was!)
30 mins later: The Qinn Hotel – sea-view balcony, rooftop pool, £80/night Book it here

Day 2 – The Clinic Experience

Nestled in a sleek Lara villa, Antlara Dental Clinic feels more spa than surgery.

Step-by-step (gimbal in hand):

Reception – English-speaking staff, welcome to the Clinic - Fill in forms for the first time here.
Consultation Room – Dr Dilek pulls up my London X-rays on a 4K screen. “All good—no new X-rays needed.”
Treatment Suite – Hygienist uses ultrasonic scaler + airflow polish. Zero discomfort.
On-Site Lab – Not used (didn’t need it), I did manage to get an amazing tour of the lab, which you can see if my video. In that vide,o you can see the CAD/CAM machines and 3D printers were humming—ready for implants or crowns in hours, not weeks.

Total time in chair: 40 minutes. Cost: £45 (check-up + professional clean). London equivalent: £100–£150 private, 3–12 month NHS wait.

Why Antalya for a Simple Check-Up?

Item	NHS (2025)	London Private	Antlara, Antalya
Check-Up + Clean	£27.40 / 6–18 month wait	£100–£150	£45 (same-day)
X-Ray (if needed)	Band 1 / extra wait	£40 each	Free with treatment
Travel + Hotel	N/A	N/A	Covered (for review)
Vibe	Fluorescent dread	Harley Street rush	Sea breeze + çay

Sources: NHS.uk, BDA 2025 reports, Antlara pricing.

The Bigger Picture: Why I’d Do It Again (Even Without Cosmetic Work)

I didn’t need veneers, implants, or a “Turkey Teeth” glow-up. But walking through Antlara, I get it.

Same-day digital planning
German-trained dentists
ISO-certified sterile suites
On-site lab (crowns milled while you sip coffee)

If I did need work? A full smile makeover (10 veneers) costs £1,500–£3,500 in Antalya vs. £8,000–£15,000 in London. That’s a 75%+ saving—and you recover on a Mediterranean beach, not a Tube platform.