UK Residents Sought Dental Care in Croatia
A growing number of British patients traveled to Zagreb for dental procedures throughout 2025.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Budget Travel
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In 2025, 1,502 residents from the United Kingdom traveled to the Dentum clinic in Zagreb, Croatia, for dental treatments. This surge in medical tourism has occurred steadily over the last four years as patients seek alternatives to the domestic system.
Why it matters
Patients are increasingly looking abroad for dental work due to high costs in the United Kingdom and persistent difficulties accessing NHS dentistry. For many, traveling to clinics like Dentum provides a viable solution for necessary procedures that are otherwise delayed or unaffordable at home.
UK patients treated at Dentum in 2025 reached 1,502, while approximately 14 million adults in England struggle to access NHS dental services. Total costs for procedures like the All-on-4 implant can range between £14,000 and £16,000, significantly impacting patient budgets.
The players
Dentum
This is a dental clinic located in Zagreb, Croatia, that offers comprehensive dental services, on-site laboratories, and patient accommodation for international visitors.
The details
Dentum facilitates this influx by providing on-site dental laboratory services and accommodation for traveling patients. The clinic coordinates the full process, including transport and the specific dental work, such as All-on-4 implants, which utilize metal components to replace missing teeth.
Timeline
In 2025, 1,502 UK patients sought treatment at the Dentum clinic.
The trend of UK patients traveling to the clinic has seen a steady rise over the last four years.
Travel Outlook
This trend mirrors broader European medical tourism movements where patients bypass local supply constraints for more accessible international options. It highlights a departure from traditional local care models, influenced heavily by the ongoing NHS dentistry access crisis in England.
Patients considering this route should factor in travel expenses, such as the minimum £32 cost for return flights and the cumulative £3,800 required for three trips to Zagreb. Planning for these multi-stage procedures requires coordinating both clinical appointments and lodging well in advance.
The takeaway
The rise in dental tourism reflects a significant shift in how patients manage essential healthcare when domestic access is restricted. Travelers should conduct thorough research on clinic credentials and total travel costs before committing to international procedures.
Further reading
For more information on navigating costs and options, visit our Budget Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EXPRESS.
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