Just go online, on any search engine to look for a low cost dentistand among the most frequent ‘queries’ on the dental front is “Getting your teeth done in Türkiye, reviews”, or the same formula with a different destination. “The most historic dental tourism is towards Albania, Turkey, but other destinations are also Moldova, Serbia, Croatia”, lists Daniele Puzzilli, freelance dentist and head of the Coni dentistry department, on social media he has been fighting for some time to raise awareness among young people about the risks of these trips to an El Dorado that most of the time doesn’t exist.
Simone, a 36-year-old from Barletta, also went to Albania, whose family members recounted the via crucis, which began with a very radical operation involving the removal of 20 teeth in a single session and the insertion of implants on both arches, a misadventure culminating in a series of complications that put his life at risk and it’s not over yet (the boy is, after 8 months, in hospital in Italy).
The announcements of these studies across the border ‘speak Italian’, they promise savings of up to 50-75%. Attractive proposals that travel on social media, often on the ‘legs’ of “influencers who could not advertise a medical therapy as if it were a shampoo or a clothing brand”, observes the white coat.
These offers “attract” customers “by focusing on the speed of the solution, the low cost, the driver who picks you up at the airport, the hotel. But I will never stop repeating it: Savings and speed of treatment are not synonymous with quality. Especially with regards to the mouth, significant damage is done abroad”. The patients who turn to these facilities attracted by the promises of quick and low-cost treatments “are in reality treated with very low quality, with a very low experience from the point of view of from a professional point of view. And above all in a very radical way. Have I ever seen results of this type” on people returning from dental tourism? “I see at least 2 a week – reports Puzzilli – Some are desperate, because they have returned to Türkiye or Albania and can no longer find their dentistthey find the name of the clinic changed and the guarantees that were given are not respected. The materials are so cheap that they are often not repairable.”
The crazy operations, 20 teeth removed: “I will treat Simone for free”
A clinical case like Simone’s, clarifies the expert, “in Italy, would be approached with the necessary biological times, therefore in 6-8 months, not a few days. Removing 20 teeth from a 36-37 year old is madnessunless you are faced with a very serious pathology and this does not seem to be the case. We Italians often complain about our healthcare, but we are an excellence on a global level. In the dental field we have been the first in the world for 40 years. We have made history in every branch of dentistry.”
Unfortunately this boy is harshly paying the consequences of a wrong choice”, underlines the specialist to Adnkronos Salute. “I will invite Simone publicly, because I want to treat him for free to try to make him make peace with this dental world which can sometimes reach really low levels in these unregulated contexts.
The destinations of this dental tourism “are often called clinics, but they are just offices on the street, with 2 seats and nothing more – he adds – They intervene in a radical way and make the patient think that the problem has been solved. In reality the problem is it is created. Teeth must be cared for, not treated in a destructive way”, says Puzzilli.
Another job that, with this type of dental tourism, is becoming very fashionable are total rehabilitations with zirconium crowns - says Puzzilli – jobs that practically involve filing all the teeth in one day. The patient then remains there and after 4 days all these crowns are applied to himwithout aesthetic, functionality and quality criteria. They are also glued to 18-19 year olds. I’m seeing plenty of these cases,” he reports.
Cheap materials and no rules, the traps abroad
Patients often come to me for gum problems, or because these prosthetic works crack. And I can’t put my hand on the prosthetic part: they are materials that are made by a milling machine very cheaply, unfortunately they cannot be repaired. So the patients have to take everything away and do it again. So far I haven’t seen a job with a healthy mouth. And it’s a really serious situation. This is why I’m making so much noise on social media, to try to raise awareness influencers, who perhaps have acquired a bit of fame with some reality show, and talk about wonderful experiences, of having had their teeth done in Turkey or elsewhere, the risk – he warns – is of only causing damage.
What can be done to try to stop this phenomenon? “I believe that at the basis of everything there is information – reasons the expert - Information puts the patient in a position to ask questions, to himself and to the doctors. When going for certain therapies it is necessary not to go blindly. But when you go abroad it’s all very complicated because very often, patients tell me, the type of technique or the quantity of anesthetics that will be used are not explained to them step by step, informed consent is already a starting point. it means that the doctor explains in detail what will be done to the patient’s mouth: the type of filing, the type of technique, the type of material, the type of aesthetics, the type of color. But unfortunately in Albania, for example, and in other countries” popular as dental tourism destinations, “the same type of regulations do not exist as in the EU. And it is even more complicated to take legal action against the doctor who causes damage. You, patient, are not protected.
There are those who, Puzzili continues, “have asked in vain for information on the type of implant, without obtaining it. In Italy, by law, when a patient gets a dental implant I have to give the implant passport, which indicates the brand and size of the implant titanium that was placed in the patient’s mouth.”
In these foreign structures “it is often denied and even there it becomes an inconvenience, because the dentist you go to in Italy in case of damage has to put his hands on implants that are in the bone, but you don’t know what type they are. It is essential not to be enchanted by the speed of the solution and prices that are 2 or 3 times lower. Often these attractive advertising campaigns are all about the fact that Italian dentists want to make money. In reality the low cost does not give you the same quality
as the work done in Italy, it is simply explained because there is very low quality labor there and so are the technical products. The cost is therefore appropriate to what they give you. We need to continue to inform. I show videos of patients who, through social media, tearfully report the damage that has been done to them. They find themselves with ruined teeth for their entire lives, having spent nothing – the dentist comments – but paying an enormous biological price.
What are the potential risks associated with dental tourism that patients should be aware of?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dental Expert Daniele Puzzilli
Editor: Welcome to our segment on dental tourism, one of the newest trends in healthcare. Today, we’re joined by Daniele Puzzilli, a freelance dentist and the head of the Coni dentistry department. Daniele, thank you for being with us today.
Puzzilli: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here to discuss such an important topic.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Many people are looking at countries like Turkey, Albania, and even Moldova for dental work due to their low costs. But you seem to warn against this trend. What’s your main concern?
Puzzilli: My primary concern is that people are being lured by the promise of significant savings—often between 50-75%—and quick treatment times. While these offers sound appealing, they often come with compromised quality and safety. Many patients are treated in substandard facilities by practitioners who may lack proper training and experience.
Editor: You mentioned a specific case about a 36-year-old named Simone who had 20 teeth removed in one session in Albania. Can you tell us more about that situation?
Puzzilli: Absolutely. Simone’s story is quite alarming. He underwent an extremely radical procedure, far too extreme for someone without serious dental conditions. This kind of aggressive approach is a huge red flag. In Italy, such a case would typically be managed with careful planning over several months. Unfortunately, Simone is now facing complications and has been hospitalized for months as a result of these poor choices.
Editor: That’s a concerning outcome. You also stated that patients returning from these dental tourism destinations are sometimes left with the added burden of the clinics being difficult to contact or even shut down. How does that affect them?
Puzzilli: It’s devastating. Many patients find themselves in desperate situations, unable to reach the clinics they went to. They often discover that the names of these clinics have changed or that their guarantees are utterly worthless. The dental materials used are of such low quality that they are frequently non-repairable, leading to repeated and costly treatments back home.
Editor: It sounds like the speed and cost savings are masking the real risks patients are taking. What can you tell us about the types of treatments people are getting abroad that worry you the most?
Puzzilli: Many clinics abroad promote quick fixes, like doing a full rehabilitation in one day using zirconium crowns. While this might sound efficient, it involves majorly aggressive procedures—like filing all teeth in a single visit. There’s no consideration for the aesthetics or functionality, resulting in long-term damage.
Editor: In terms of altering public perceptions and awareness, how can people be better informed before considering dental tourism?
Puzzilli: Information is key. Patients must be equipped with knowledge about what constitutes safe and effective dental care. They should ask specific questions regarding procedures, the materials involved, and the qualifications of those performing the treatments. Unfortunately, many clinics abroad don’t follow the same rigorous standards and regulations we have in Italy, leading to a significant knowledge gap.
Editor: You’re passionate about this issue, and it’s clear why. How do you think social media influencers are contributing to this trend of dental tourism?
Puzzilli: Influencers often portray their experiences without encompassing the entire reality. While they may share what appears to be glamorous results, they seldom discuss the risks. They have a responsibility to their followers to offer honest narratives. I’ve raised this issue on social media because it’s crucial to inform people that these services aren’t akin to purchasing a consumer product.
Editor: It’s fascinating how social media can sway public opinion, especially regarding healthcare decisions. As a final note, what advice would you give to someone considering dental tourism?
Puzzilli: I would strongly advise them to consider the long-term implications rather than just the short-term savings. Consult with qualified dental professionals back home, and always approach treatment with informed consent fully. When it comes to healthcare, especially dental health, it’s essential to prioritize quality over cost.
Editor: Thank you, Daniele Puzzilli. You’ve provided invaluable insights on the risks associated with dental tourism and the importance of high-quality care. We appreciate your time today.
Puzzilli: Thank you for having me. I hope this conversation helps raise awareness and protects future patients from making potentially harmful choices.