The Bolton-based boss of a large dental group is warning travellers going abroad to have dental work that potentially costly and damaging repairs may result.

Dr Zuber Bagasi, Clinical Director of the Synergy Dental Group which has 16 surgeries across the North-west including three in Bolton, said: “People are going to Turkey in particular as medical tourists as they see the opportunity for cheaper dental work.

“Unfortunately, this is not a heavily regulated industry there and many are coming back with major problems.”

Dr Bagasi said that often patients were having dental crowns to enhance their smile which included preparation and filing down teeth.

“These preparations are irreversible and what we’re seeing here in the UK is that natural healthy teeth are often over-prepared, resulting in nerve injury,” he said.

“This leads to the need for root canal treatment or tooth extractions. We are also seeing more and more people with inappropriate dental bridgework, replacing multiple teeth, which are failing.

“More worryingly, gum disease is evident around the crowns and veneers as a result of bulky crown margins and ledges being left. Untreated, this can result in bone loss, loose teeth and ultimately teeth extractions.

“Patients are often unaware of this and the first signs of something going wrong is bleeding when brushing.

“Unfortunately, UK dentists could be reluctant to take over and manage dental treatment carried out abroad as the risk of the liability being passed on is high.”

He advises anyone planning to go abroad for dental treatment to “do your research and find a reputable clinic and surgeon.

“Make sure you understand the risks and benefits of the suggested procedure and communicate with your surgeon in a language you both understand.”

Dr Bagasi also suggested that travellers have adequate insurance “to cover any potential complications.”

Earlier this year, the British Dental Association asked dentists to tell them about their experiences with dental tourism and more than 1,000 responded.

Of these, 95 per cent reported they had examined patients who had travelled abroad and 86 per cent said they had treated cases that developed complications.

Crowns were identified as the treatment most likely to need follow-up work, closely followed by implants.

Concluded Dr Bagasi: “The message here is to think very carefully before you travel abroad for dental work. Do your research and know the likely real outcomes of your trip.”