Dental Tourism in Turkey: What Does a Quotation Really Include?

A quotation is the first document that tells you what you're really being offered. It is also where many of the misunderstandings in dental tourism begin, usually not through dishonesty but through assumptions on both sides.

Having worked with the financial side of dental clinics, we've seen how quotations are put together. Here is what to look for.

A total price is not a quotation

If you've received a message that says only "Total: €X, all inclusive", you don't yet have something you can compare or rely on. "All inclusive" means different things to different clinics.

Ask for a version that lists each element separately. A clinic that is clear about its pricing will usually provide one without difficulty.

What a useful quotation shows

A quotation that you can actually work with typically covers:

• The treatment items, listed individually, so you can see what the plan consists of.
• Consultations and imaging, stating whether these are included or charged separately.
• Temporary work between visits, if your treatment involves more than one stage.
• Accommodation, with the hotel name, number of nights and room type if it is part of a package.
• Transfers, between airport, hotel and clinic.
• Validity, meaning how long the price is held.
• Currency, and whether the amount is fixed.
• Deposit and payment schedule, including how much is due before you travel and how much is due at the clinic.

The exclusions question

The most useful question you can ask about any quotation is: "What is not included?"

Items that are sometimes left out or charged separately include:

• Additional imaging or tests after you arrive
• Medication
• Extra appointments if healing or adjustments take longer than expected
• Additional procedures identified during the in-person examination
• Extra nights of accommodation if your schedule changes
• Follow-up care after you return home

None of these exclusions is necessarily unreasonable. The problem is only when you discover them after you've committed.

Insider note: "To be confirmed on arrival" is one of the most important phrases to watch for in a quotation. Sometimes it's unavoidable, because some things genuinely depend on an examination. But it should come with an explanation of how the cost will be decided, and your right to say no.

Why the price may change after examination

Most online quotations are provisional. They're based on photos, an X-ray or a scan you've sent, and the dentist may recommend a different plan once they examine you in person.

Before you travel, ask:

1. How likely is it that the plan will change?
2. If it does, how will the new price be calculated and agreed?
3. Can you decline additional treatment without losing your deposit?
4. Will any changes be explained and confirmed in writing before work begins?

How to compare two quotations fairly

Comparing headline totals can be misleading. To compare fairly:

1. Check the plans are equivalent. If they're not, ask why the clinics propose different approaches. That is a clinical question for the dentists.
2. Line up the inclusions. Note anything one quote includes and another doesn't.
3. Add the likely extras. Estimate what each excluded item might add.
4. Compare the terms, not just the price: deposit, refund policy and follow-up.

Our Dental Quote Analyzer does this side by side for up to three clinics.

What to do if a quotation is unclear

Reply in writing and ask for the missing details. Keep the conversation polite and specific: "Could you confirm whether imaging and medication are included, and list anything that is not included?" A clear written answer is worth more than any verbal reassurance.