Can You Get Dental Implants on NHS? Key Criteria and Guidelines
Written by
Gülay Akay
Published on
16.06.2025
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Every person deserves a perfect smile, and dental implants have become a popular method to achieve that. However, one question lingers in the minds of many UK residents: can you get dental implants on the NHS?

In this in-depth guide, we will shed light on the NHS criteria for dental implants, the associated costs, and the potential alternatives, particularly focusing on the rising trend of dental tourism in Turkey.

Understanding dental implants

Dental implants are well acknowledged and accepted as the ultimate yardsman for the substitution of a tooth. They are a long-lasting option for patients who have lost teeth and experience discomfort from dentures. Despite these advantages, the cost of dental implants in the UK can be prohibitive for many, leading to the question: can you get dental implants on the NHS?

Can You Get Dental Implants on the NHS? What You Need to Know

Indeed, you can have it done under the umbrella of the NHS. Nevertheless, the issue is not as simple as it appears to be in the wave of facts.

Usually the NHS first gives dental implants to patients with a medical need directly linked to masticating food. It is not enough to have a wish to restore missing teeth as an intention to undergo a cosmetic dental procedure. In the NHS you firstly triage for those who need the implants immediately based on their ability to afford the implant and the budget given.

NHS criteria for dental implants

According to a 2019 report from the Royal College of Surgeons, the following conditions may increase your chances of getting NHS-funded implants:

  • Conform to or irregular shaped teeth that are caused by a hereditary tendency.
  • Teeth extracted that were processed as part of the treatment for cancer or any other condition.
  • Total tooth loss in one or both jaws unsuitable for dentures

There are also additional eligibility factors:

  • Registration with a general dentist
  • Regular dental checkups
  • Good oral hygiene standards
  • Non-smoker
  • No untreated conditions like tooth decay or gum disease

In case of having problematic diabetes, mental health problems, poor dental health, Bruxism and blood or bone disorders you may suffer from the refusal of the NHS treatment due to your unstable state.

Cost of dental implants on the NHS

Similar to the eligibility criteria, the NHS funded costs for dental implantation are in themselves very detailed and complicated. While cost may vary and be based on the unique treatment plan as well as the specific needs, overall the cost is not clear.

Exploring Alternative Options: Dental Implants in Turkey with Dentakay

The price and very strict criteria of getting a dental implant is one of the reasons why people have looked for alternatives while on the NHS. One such option is dental tourism in Turkey, particularly at the Dentakay clinic.

Turkey is one of the countries that have been flourishing in dental tourism because of the fact that the UK patients can get very good quality care in the country that has substantially lower costs compared to them. The ancient method of inserting teeth directly into the jaw bone using a metal post is the most widely known dental method.

Why choose Dentakay for dental implants in Turkey

If you wish to have dental implants, you might want to think about having them done in Turkey because it has started to be a good choice thanks to its low costs and highly qualified dentists.

Dentakay is widely known as a leading dental clinic in Turkey that provides the most advanced implant procedures and other dental services. Here’s why you should choose us for your dental implant needs:

Cost savings

In terms of dental care, having an implant in Turkey will be cheaper than in the UK, as the UK will have to pay much more money for the very same work. Dentakay offers affordable treatment protocols while preserving the quality of dental implants hence leading to an alternative dental solution that is attractive to individuals seeking implants.

Quality and expertise

We have the greatest dentists and the best oral surgeons, who have incorporated their knowledge of the dental implant treatment in their practical skills already. The clinic conforms with international standards, and the clinic uses cutting-edge technology to reach the highest professional standards of treatment for patients.

Comprehensive care

Our service spectrum encompasses dental implants in their full scale, with consultancy, treatment planning, surgical operation, and follow-up care included. The patient will get an individual approach and a unique plan/approach to point out the patients’ dental needs.

Modern facilities

Our clinic possesses advanced equipment and ensures the highest standards of cleanliness, aiming to give an enjoyable and secure atmosphere for the patients in need of the dental implant procedure.

Convenient location

We offer a unique opportunity to have treatment in our dental clinics regardless of the weather, located in the most lively and cultural monuments of Istanbul. It is a newly added advantage to tourists because they can combine their health treatment with memorable travel impressions.

Positive patient experiences

Several of our patients after their implant surgeries report about the success of the procedure mentioning they were impressed with the proficiency, efficiency and the experience the clinic provides as a whole.

You can watch an interview on YouTube, where Mr. Onur Akay, the CEO of Dentakay, talked with one of his patients, Mr. Grant Lakey. Grant had serious dental problems and had even pulled out his own teeth using shoelaces before coming to Dentakay. In the interview, they talk about why Mr. Lakey chose Dentakay for his treatment, the NHS appointment crisis, and why many UK patients choose Turkey for dental treatment.

Conclusion

While the answer to the question: can you get dental implants on the NHS, is yes, the reality is that many people will not meet the strict eligibility criteria. The government and dentists’ association come up with foreign marketing strategies to attract dental tourists from other countries in Europe. That is why Turkey has become one of the main countries offering high quality care at more affordable prices. Dental implants are the latest in the field of dental restoration and at Dentakay, we are a reliable clinic which provides implant restorations at sensible prices.

Recall that there is nothing as important as the aesthetic purpose of the perfect smile, but it is restoration of your self-esteem and betterment of your quality of life. The main point is whether you prefer dental implants from the NHS, which you fully covered yourself, or you decide to follow other medical paths abroad, but what is important is to make the informed decision that you need and which works for you.

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