I saved so much money on dental care and wisdom-tooth surgery in Turkey that my vacation almost paid for itself

When I booked a girls' trip to Datça, Turkey, I envisioned snorkeling in the Aegean Sea, strolling through ancient Greek ruins, climbing on limestone cliffs, and eating lots of baklava.

I did all of those things — but I also found myself on an unplanned trip to the dentist that turned out to be an incredible value.

During the trip, we decided to stop by a local dentist's office

The exam room looked just like the ones I'm used to back home. Alison Kaplan

My friends and I spent a month living in a charming apartment one block from the Mediterranean in the town of Datça, Turkey.

The four of us split some costs for the 30-day trip, so I only paid $700 for our rental car and lodging. My transatlantic plane ticket was $1,000, and I spent less on food than I would've at home in California.

However, the biggest savings of my whole trip came in an unexpected form: medical tourism.

The medical tourism industry in Turkey has seen rapid growth in recent years.

Many of the most popular offerings are cosmetic surgeries like hair implants, plastic surgery, and dental implants and veneers, known as "Turkey teeth." Specialized clinics in bigger cities like Istanbul even cater specifically to tourists who book trips with medical care in mind.

Although we didn't travel here for this purpose, my friends and I were curious about local offerings. So, we stopped by the dentist around the corner from our apartment.

I was impressed by the dental care in Datça — and it didn't take away from our vacation at all

When my friends and I walked into the office at 3 p.m. on a Friday, the dentist offered us free checkups on the spot. The facility felt clean and modern, and our appointments were quick.

I got a panoramic x-ray ($15), and the doctor determined that one of my wisdom teeth was impacted and should be removed soon. Staff said they could fit me in for a cleaning ($49) and a minor surgery to remove the wisdom tooth ($110) on Monday.

I was a little nervous about getting surgery in a foreign country, but I was reassured by my surgeon's medical credentials, the professional vibe at the office, and the positive Google reviews.

I took them up on the offer, and three days later, my teeth felt clean and my wisdom tooth was gone. In total, I paid just $183 for a checkup, x-ray, cleaning, and tooth extraction with local anesthesia.

The dentists were professional and kind, and the experience felt more personal than medical visits back home.

When my friend told one dentist how difficult it is for us to get dental care in the US, she gave us her personal WhatsApp number with instructions to message her if we ever had tooth-related questions.

Since it was so easy to schedule appointments, our dental care didn't detract from our vacation at all. I missed out on a few days of snorkeling after my surgery, but the savings were worth it.

My dental work would've cost so much more back home in the US

My friends and I visited a dental office in Turkey because we'd heard the country is famous for its medical tourism. Alison Kaplan

Getting surgeries and medical procedures abroad isn't without risks, and it's important to research providers and clinics before booking appointments.

However, I had such a positive experience at this local clinic that I'd consider going back to Turkey for other services.

Every service I got was far cheaper and easier to book than what I'm used to back home in California. In my hometown, I often struggled to get an appointment with a dentist who accepted my insurance. Sometimes, I'd wait months for a checkup.

Eventually, I started to pay out of pocket so I could get appointments more easily, but my bills would be so high that I'd rarely go to the dentist.

A new-patient appointment similar to the one I had in Turkey can cost over $400 at my local dentist in California. A panoramic X-ray goes for about $165, and wisdom-tooth removal can cost between $200 and $400 per tooth — and this price doesn't include general anesthesia.

By getting my dental work done in Turkey, I saved about $700, which is about as much as I spent throughout my monthlong trip.

Although I'm not considering any big aesthetic changes, I'll plan my future international trips with medical tourism in mind until healthcare becomes more affordable in the US.