British soldiers are being warned not to travel abroad for so-called “Turkey teeth” procedures, which could render them medically unfit for deployment, the Daily Mail reported.
Army dentists have urged service members to avoid cheap cosmetic treatments promoted on social media by influencers. The procedures — which involve filing down natural teeth and fitting veneers — are popular in Turkey and parts of Eastern Europe, but military dentists say they often result in decay, gum disease and abscesses.
Lieutenant Colonel Wassim Slim told Soldier magazine, the official publication of the Ministry of Defence, that half of army dentists surveyed reported repairing overseas cosmetic work. “Of those who’d had to manage problems relating to cosmetic surgery abroad, the majority deemed the quality of care as poor or very poor,” he said.
Dental problems can make soldiers ineligible for active duty, as treatment options are limited in war zones. The Mail on Sunday previously reported that 173 recruits were rejected over the past four years because of gum disease and rotting teeth.
With troop numbers declining — now around 70,000 compared to more than 100,000 in 2010 — poor oral health adds to the challenges of recruitment and readiness. The Ministry of Defence advised service members to consult their unit dental officer before pursuing any cosmetic dental procedure abroad.