A Welsh scaffolder says a dental operation in Turkey was "the worst mistake" of his life. Matthew Bowen, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, has spent around £14,000 on the surgery, travel and accommodation — but claims he is facing another costly operation after his new gnashers left him bereft of confidence. The 35-year-old, of Abercynon, told WalesOnline he started having dental issues aged 19 when he sustained a broken jaw from an assault in Aberdare's Tesco supermarket.
"All my teeth started crumbling after that," said the self-employed scaffolder. In the two years before he got his teeth done in Turkey, he typically worked seven days a week, 12 hours a day, so he could afford what he thought would be his "perfect smile". The crowns he wanted were not available on the NHS and getting them fitted privately in the UK would have cost him £27,000, said Mr Bowen, but after a recommendation from a Turkish friend he opted to go to the Aras Selcuk Advanced Dentistry clinic in Marmaris for a £7,800 operation.
When we approached Dr Selcuk he told us he stood by his work, adding: "This is the only patient with problems so far. Everyone is happy, only this guy is not." Mr Bowen travelled to Marmaris in 2022 to discuss the surgery then spent months saving up before returning in January 2023 for the operation.
In total, he had 18 teeth removed and 12 metal implants inserted to his jawbone. He would then return home for a three-month healing period before the next stage, which would see porce.