All-on-6 Abroad: A Pre-Travel Checklist for UK Patients

Before You Book: What to Confirm in Writing

The most important decisions in overseas dental treatment are made before you part with any money. Once a deposit is paid and flights are booked, leverage shifts significantly toward the clinic. These are the things to confirm in writing before committing:

Written Treatment Plan with Implant System Specified

Request a written treatment plan that names the specific implant brand and product line that will be used — not just "premium implants" or "European implants." If the clinic cannot or will not name the system in writing, that is a reason to pause. The implant brand affects not just quality but your ability to get compatible prosthetic work done in the UK for the rest of the implants' lifespan. See our implant brands guide for the key brands to look for.

Itemised Quote

A single headline figure tells you almost nothing. Request a breakdown that shows: CT scan (included or separate cost), the six implants per arch, abutments, temporary prosthesis, permanent prosthesis (with the material — acrylic or zirconia — specified), extractions if any, bone grafting if needed, and any clinic transfers included. Without this breakdown, you cannot compare quotes accurately or know what you will be charged extra for on arrival.

Payment Terms

Understand the deposit amount, what it covers, and whether it is refundable if treatment changes or does not proceed. Ask what the payment schedule is — how much is due on arrival, how much after surgery, how much before the permanent prosthesis is fitted.

Complication Protocol

Ask in writing: what is the clinic's policy if an implant fails to integrate? If a complication arises while you are still in the country, what is the protocol? Is there a guarantee period, and what does it cover? Reputable clinics have clear written policies on this; vague verbal reassurances are not adequate.

Documents to Carry

Gather and travel with the following documents:

• Existing dental records and X-rays — if you have had dental X-rays in the UK in the past 12-18 months, request copies from your dentist to bring. They give the treating clinic a baseline for comparison and may reduce the amount of pre-treatment imaging needed.
• GP letter if on blood thinners or anticoagulants — if you are taking warfarin, apixaban, clopidogrel, or similar medications, carry a letter from your GP confirming your medication, dose, and any guidance on management around surgical procedures.
• GP letter if diabetic — particularly if diabetes is not well controlled. Include your most recent HbA1c result. This allows the surgical team to make an informed decision about proceeding and any additional precautions needed.
• Full medication list — a comprehensive list of all medications and supplements you take, including doses and frequency. Over-the-counter supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E, and ginkgo biloba can affect bleeding and should be included.
• Allergy information — particularly any known drug allergies (antibiotics, anaesthetic agents, NSAIDs).
• Travel insurance details — the policy number and insurer's emergency contact number, carried separately from your main documents in case of loss.
• The clinic's written treatment plan and quote — bring the documentation the clinic provided so you can cross-reference on arrival.

Travel Logistics

Travel Insurance

Standard travel insurance will not cover elective dental procedures and may specifically exclude them. You need a policy that covers medical complications arising from the dental treatment — infection, allergic reaction, implant failure requiring emergency re-treatment, extended stay. Before purchasing any policy, call the insurer and confirm explicitly that dental treatment complications are covered, and get that confirmation in writing. 'Medical travel' or specialist dental tourism policies are worth comparing.

Declare the dental procedure to the insurer honestly. A claim that arises from an undisclosed procedure will almost certainly be denied.

Accommodation Near the Clinic

Stay as close to the clinic as practically possible for the surgery visit. You will not want to travel far after surgery, and if any issue arises requiring a same-day return to the clinic, proximity matters. Many clinics in Istanbul and Antalya operate in specific medical tourism districts with hotels nearby; ask the clinic for accommodation recommendations.

Return Flight Timing

Do not book a return flight less than 5 days after surgery day. Ideally, plan for 7 days in the destination following surgery, giving flexibility. Surgery day itself may not go exactly to schedule; having a tight flight booked for day 4 adds unnecessary stress. Book flights with date-change options or take out insurance that covers trip extension for medical reasons.

What to Bring for Surgery Day and Recovery

• Comfortable, loose clothing — button-up or zip-up tops that do not need to go over your head, since your face will be swollen and uncomfortable after surgery.
• A companion if possible — ideally, travel with someone for the first trip. You will be unfit to navigate airports and public transport alone on surgery day and possibly the following day. If travelling alone, arrange for a taxi rather than public transport for the return from the clinic.
• Soft food supplies for the hotel — soup pouches, yoghurt, protein shakes, and similar. You will not want to navigate a restaurant menu immediately after surgery. Having supplies in the hotel room for the first 48 hours is practical.
• Straws are not recommended — despite the appeal for drinking, straws create suction that can disturb the surgical sites. Sip directly from a cup instead.
• Entertainment for downtime — a few days in the hotel recovering means several days of rest. Books, downloaded content, and anything else that makes quiet time comfortable are worthwhile.

Finding UK Aftercare Before You Leave

This step is too often left until after returning home, when it is harder to arrange. Before you travel, contact your UK dentist and explain what you are planning. Ask whether they will provide monitoring appointments during the osseointegration period and manage any complications if they arise locally.

If your current UK dentist is not comfortable doing this, search for implant-experienced dentists in your area who will. The key is to have this arranged and confirmed before departure — not to scramble for help when something happens.

Also request from the foreign clinic, before leaving, the full documentation you will need to hand to a UK dentist: the implant passport, specifications of the implant system, post-operative X-rays, and the complete treatment summary. Our guide to implant documentation covers exactly what to ask for.

What to Do if Something Goes Wrong Abroad

Have the clinic's direct emergency contact number saved on your phone before surgery, and know when to use it. Swelling, bruising, and moderate discomfort are normal and not emergencies. The signs that warrant same-day contact with the clinic are: active bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure, severe and worsening pain, fever above 38°C, or any sign of implant mobility.

If you are in the destination and experience any of these, contact the clinic first — they can advise whether you need to come in. If you are back in the UK and experience warning symptoms, contact the UK dentist you identified in advance, or if systemically unwell, attend the emergency department. Dental complications involving implants and infections can become serious if left unmanaged; do not wait until you can get a routine appointment.

For the full guide to the recovery period and warning signs, see our All-on-6 recovery guide.