A 48-year-old father died by suicide after dental treatment abroad left him without teeth following an incomplete procedure, according to reporting by The Telegraph.
Pawel Bukowski travelled to Turkey for treatment but was sent home without implants after all his teeth were removed.
An inquest heard he struggled physically and emotionally after returning to the U.K., with documented suicidal ideation. “They [clinic] sent him home without any teeth and told him to return in six months. This was emotionally devastating for him,” Daria Bukowska, his widow, told the inquest.
Bukowski’s mental health worsened over concerns that he needed to pay more than expected for a procedure that he considered a failure. He struggled to eat properly without his teeth, The Guardian reported.
“He was deeply broken emotionally, losing his teeth had destroyed his self-confidence and sense of hope,” his wife said. “Despite our constant support, from me and his daughters, he was slipping away from us.”
The coroner said there were missed opportunities for intervention, including a decision not to admit the father of three for psychiatric care. His death was ruled a suicide.
Dental tourism is on the rise
The case comes as demand for cosmetic and dental procedures abroad continues to grow. One market research firm estimates Turkey’s medical tourism market at US$3.5 billion in 2025, rising to US$4.1 billion in 2026 and potentially US$17.3 billion by 2035, according to Global Market Insights.
Separate industry estimates suggest more than 750,000 people travel to Turkey each year for dental care, with the U.K. among the largest source markets.
Dental professionals have warned that lower upfront costs may carry risks, with some patients requiring corrective treatment after returning home.
Related: Dental tourism’s multibillion-dollar boom is reshaping reality for dentists — and patients
The British Army has also cautioned personnel against travelling abroad for so-called “Turkey teeth” procedures, citing potential impacts on medical fitness for deployment.
Data cited by Telegrafi, based on U.K. Foreign Office figures, indicate at least 28 British nationals died in Turkey following elective procedures between March 2019 and March 2024.
Related: Army warns troops against ‘Turkey teeth’ amid rising dental concerns
Related: The truth about dental tourism: When initial cheap dental treatment causes expensive biological and financial consequences
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