## Welsh Woman Faces Online Backlash After Travelling to Turkey for Dental Makeover
A 24-year-old woman from North Wales who undertook a dramatic dental transformation in Turkey has spoken out about the intense online criticism she experienced after sharing her journey on social media. Despite her satisfaction with her new smile, Lottie Carr has revealed the vitriolic abuse she received, ranging from personal insults to comments telling her she had “ruined her life”.
Lottie Carr decided to travel over 2,600 miles to Turkey, joining the rapidly growing trend of “dental tourism” as thousands of UK residents seek affordable cosmetic dental work abroad. Motivated by a desire to fix chips, cracks, staining, and alignment issues, she opted for full crown veneers. While UK practices quoted her £9,900 for the procedure, she secured treatment in Turkey for around £4,000—a significant saving that now attracts many looking for a “Hollywood smile” on a budget.
Detailing her motivation, Lottie described recently growing more conscious of her dental imperfections. “I just wanted the perfect smile,” she explained online. But rather than receiving solely supportive comments, Lottie’s TikTok documenting both the before and after stages amassed over 28 million views—alongside a torrent of cruel remarks. “I knew people might be shocked at the sight of my teeth shaved down, but I never expected this level of negativity from around the world,” Lottie said.
The criticism, which included calls for her to “kill herself” and accusations that she had made a grievous mistake, took Lottie aback. Some users labelled her a poor role model for young, impressionable viewers, due to the extreme nature of the dental procedure. She remarked, “Most people don’t post what actually happens during the process—when I did, it provoked far more comment than I imagined.”
According to the Turkish Dental Association, an estimated 250,000 foreigners travel to Turkey each year, lured by lower prices and promises of swift, dramatic results. Lottie recounted her four-day dental experience: “I had 10 crowns fitted on the top and 10 on the bottom. They managed to avoid root canals at the last minute, which was a relief. The process wasn’t painful thanks to local anaesthetic—I just felt a bit uncomfortable, not sensitive.”
Despite achieving what she sees as a life-changing improvement to her confidence, Lottie admits to some post-procedure nerves. “I do worry about the long-term risks—losing a crown, staining, or developing pain. But it’s only been a few weeks, so I’m adjusting.” Nonetheless, she remains upbeat: “Everyone around me has been really positive in person, and I have no regrets.”
As for the future, Lottie is realistic about the 10-year lifespan of her crowns, saying she is prepared to revisit the process when needed. She emphasised the importance of thorough research before embarking on treatment abroad: “I ensured the clinic used quality materials and that my dentist was fully licensed. I do understand porcelain crowns will need to be replaced, but for now, I’m happy living in the moment with a beautiful smile.”
Lottie also reflected on her decision-making before flying out, admitting that seeing others’ videos of their teeth shaved down made her apprehensive. Still, she advocates for personal choice: “Life is short. As long as what you do is safe, I think people should be free to make these decisions for themselves.”
The intense response to her video has prompted Lottie to focus on the positive feedback and support from friends and family, choosing to disregard the more hateful comments from strangers. The experience, however, has made her more aware of the inherent risks of undergoing medical procedures abroad.
For those considering similar treatment, the NHS warns that any form of medical tourism carries risks. Patients are advised to do extensive research, seek second opinions, understand possible complications, and know their reasons for pursuing procedures abroad.
The ongoing surge in cosmetic dental tourism, exemplified by Lottie’s story, raises important questions about patient safety, social media influence, and the long-term trade-offs people are willing to accept for aesthetic change. As Lottie’s experience illustrates, pursuing the perfect smile comes with not only physical but also emotional costs.