How to check a Turkish dentist or clinic yourself
Five minutes on the Ministry of Health's own portal tells you whether a clinic is authorised to treat international patients.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026Search for the clinic on HealthTürkiye (healthturkiye.gov.tr), the Turkish Ministry of Health's portal for international patients. The clinic's page shows its authorisation number, the year it was founded and how many health professionals it has. Turkish dentists are not on the UK General Dental Council register, so a GDC search won't find them.
Step 1: Find the clinic on HealthTürkiye
Open the HealthTürkiye health facility list, run by the Turkish Ministry of Health, and search for the clinic. Its registered name is often in Turkish: a private dental clinic is usually "Özel … Ağız ve Diş Sağlığı Polikliniği" (private oral and dental health clinic).
Step 2: Read the authorisation number
The clinic's page shows its international health tourism authorisation number, usually in the form ST- followed by digits. For example, Precious Dental's is ST-4647. Note the number and ask the clinic to confirm it in writing.
Step 3: Look at the register's details
The page also shows the year the clinic was founded, how many health professionals it lists and which languages it offers. If these don't match what the clinic tells you, ask why.
Step 4: Check the dentist
Ask the clinic for the full name of the dentist who will treat you. HealthTürkiye has a health professionals section, and Turkish dentists are members of the Turkish Dental Association.
What the UK register does and doesn't cover
The General Dental Council register lists dentists who practise in the UK. A dentist practising only in Türkiye won't be on it, and that is normal. It does matter when a clinic says a UK dentist is involved: then you can look that person up.
What a licence does not tell you
A licence shows a clinic is allowed to treat international patients. It doesn't tell you how good the dentist is, whether your plan is right, or what happens if something goes wrong. For that, see the questions to ask.
Common questions
Are Turkish dentists registered with the GDC?
Usually not. The General Dental Council registers dentists who practise in the UK. A dentist practising only in Türkiye is registered in Türkiye, not with the GDC.
What does an authorisation number look like?
On HealthTürkiye, international health tourism authorisations usually appear as ST- followed by digits, for example ST-4647 for Precious Dental.
What if I can't find the clinic?
Ask the clinic for its authorisation number and its exact registered name, which is often in Turkish (for example 'Özel … Ağız ve Diş Sağlığı Polikliniği'). If it still doesn't appear, ask why before you book.
Sources
- HealthTürkiye: health facility list
- HealthTürkiye: health professionals
- General Dental Council: search the register
- Turkish Dental Association (Türk Dişhekimleri Birliği)
- Oral Health Foundation: going abroad for dental treatment
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Want Precious Dental to look at your case?
We are one of the clinics in this guide. Send an X-ray or a few photos and a dentist will reply with a written plan and price. No obligation, and no pressure to choose us.