Reports about dental treatment abroad can be frightening, especially when you are already trying to solve painful, missing or damaged teeth on a limited budget. They are a reason to examine a treatment proposal carefully. A headline or a social-media smile cannot tell you whether a particular plan is appropriate for your mouth.
The case featured on This Morning
On 10 September 2026, ITV’s This Morning featured Martyn Kurrant. ITV reported that a sinus infection spread to his brain after dental treatment in Turkey, leading to five brain operations and the need to relearn walking and talking. It also reported that he is taking legal action and that the clinic denies wrongdoing. The report describes a serious individual case; it does not establish a court finding of negligence or how often this outcome occurs.
His experience should be discussed with care. It would be misleading to treat every overseas dental procedure as the same operation, or to use one patient’s experience as proof that all clinics in a country provide unsafe care.
Start by naming the actual treatment
“Turkey teeth” is a media phrase, not a clinical diagnosis or a single treatment. A proposal might involve crowns, veneers, implants or several procedures together. Ask the dentist to explain what is planned for each tooth, which teeth are being retained and why any extraction or preparation is recommended.
A price for a “full smile” is not enough information to make a clinical decision. Try describing the proposal back in your own words. If you cannot explain what will happen to your natural teeth, what the alternatives are and what follow-up is needed, there are still questions to answer.
Compare the clinical plan before comparing the package
A useful way to organise your decision is to make three columns: the problem being treated, the proposed solution and the unanswered questions. Put each tooth or stage of treatment on its own line. This helps distinguish a necessary repair from an optional cosmetic change and makes a second opinion more focused.
Ask what findings support the proposal. A plan based on an examination may change when further information becomes available, but the reason for that change should be explained. A short deadline for a discount does not resolve uncertainty about treatment.
Think beyond the return flight
Before booking, the GDC advises patients to check the treating professional’s qualifications and regulation, discuss plans with their usual dentist and establish aftercare arrangements. Ask who will assess a problem after you return and whether additional treatment and travel would be included. The GDC guidance is general advice on overseas dentistry; it is not a published finding about Mr Kurrant’s case.
Consider the practical experience of recovery as well as the proposed result. Who will help if you feel unwell? Can you extend a stay if advised? Would you be able to attend another visit at short notice? These questions help test whether the plan works for your circumstances, rather than just for an advertised timetable.
An independent conversation can clarify your options
If you are considering a substantial change to your teeth, take the written proposal to an independent dentist before paying for irreversible work. Explain what you want to improve and what you can afford. Ask which uncertainties can be resolved now and which would require further assessment. You can contact Pear Tree Dental in Burton Joyce on 0115 931 2935 to enquire about an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is the country alone a reliable guide to treatment quality? A: No. The individual clinician, assessment, proposed treatment and follow-up arrangements need to be considered.
Q: Should a news story decide my treatment for me? A: No. Use reporting to identify questions, then seek advice based on your own dental and medical history.
Related reading
Problems after overseas treatment
Sources and further information
ITV This Morning: Martyn Kurrant’s account, 10 September 2026