### Welsh Man Who Regretted Turkish Dental Work Now Named on HMRC Tax Defaulters List
Matthew Bowen, the Welsh scaffolder who publicised his regrets after travelling to Turkey for dental surgery, is now facing a new and significant challenge. The 36-year-old from Ynysboeth, Abercynon, has been named by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in their latest list of “deliberate tax defaulters,” after being found to have evaded over £100,000 in tax.
Bowen, who works as a self-employed scaffolder, received a penalty of £66,956 from HMRC. The tax authority alleges he failed to pay £103,408 in tax between April 2018 and April 2024. These revelations come less than a year after Bowen candidly discussed the fallout of his £14,000 trip to Turkey, where he sought a “perfect smile” but was left bitterly disappointed.
When approached for comment regarding the tax evasion charges, Bowen insisted he was unaware of any issues with his tax filings. He appeared to be taken aback, telling reporters that the call was “the first he had heard” of any allegations. This, however, runs contrary to HMRC’s documented procedures, which ensure that individuals are given the opportunity to respond before their names are published.
Bowen offered to return the call within half an hour but did not follow through. On a subsequent call, he seemed unsure how to react, saying: “I dunno what to say to be honest. I’ve been trying to contact HMRC but I’m on hold. If I thought I’d done wrong I wouldn’t be trying to ring them.” This uncertainty has raised further questions about his awareness of his obligations as a self-employed individual.
The former dental patient’s journey to Turkey began after years of insecurity stemming from a jaw injury sustained during an assault when he was 19. Bowen previously explained that this injury led to his teeth gradually “crumbling,” and that private treatment in the UK would have cost up to £27,000 — nearly double what he paid abroad. Persuaded by a recommendation, he travelled to a clinic in Marmaris in January 2023. There, he underwent an intensive procedure involving the removal of 18 teeth and placement of 12 metal implants, topped with porcelain crowns.
Disappointment followed quickly. Bowen reported that his new teeth began to deteriorate within weeks, leading him to return to the Turkish clinic for remedial work in August 2023. He described ongoing issues, such as a visible gap between his gums and teeth and saliva pooling uncomfortably—problems he said left him self-conscious rather than proud of his appearance.
The dentist who treated him, Dr Aras Selcuk, has defended his practice, stating Bowen is the only patient to have raised such concerns and that some sensations, like feeling saliva between the gum and teeth, are within the realms of expectation. However, Bowen says the result has left him constantly dissatisfied and searching for solutions.
Now, compounding his dental struggles, the spotlight has shifted to his finances. HMRC’s published list is designed to “influence behaviour by encouraging defaulters to engage” with the tax authority, especially for those who have intentionally evaded over £25,000. Inclusion on this list is a public signal, and a tool intended to encourage compliance. The details are accessible online but only remain on the list for a fixed period of 12 months.
Bowen’s case is a striking example of how the pursuit of personal improvement can sometimes lead to unforeseen complications, both financial and personal. From unanticipated dental challenges abroad to serious domestic tax disputes, he now finds himself contending with a far greater price than he ever anticipated.
HMRC maintains that taxpayers are given every opportunity to clarify or dispute entries before publication. Bowen’s case continues to develop as he attempts to rectify both his dental and financial predicaments. The intersection of his personal health choices and fiscal responsibilities serves as a cautionary tale for others considering similar paths.