Foreign Dentist Work Permit (2025): What is Possible and What is Not?

Short summary It is not possible for foreign nationals to practice dentistry clinically (patient examination/diagnosis/treatment, title of “dentist”) in Turkey. Basis: Article 30 of Law No. 1219 and the Constitutional Court’s decision dated 24.09.2024, E.2024/99 – K.2024/162, confirming the constitutionality of this provision in terms of foreigners.

“Can a foreign dentist see patients in Turkey?”

No – 1219 art.30 + AYM 2024/162 clinical practice is prohibited.

If you want to see the processes in full: Work Permit Application Process – Work Permit Requirements

Similar but different profession: Foreign Doctor (Medical Doctor) Work Permit

1) Legal Framework: Why Clinical Enforcement is Prohibited?

• Article 30 ofLaw No. 1219: In order to hold the title of “dentist” and practice dentistry in Turkey, one must be a Turkish citizen and have a diploma from a faculty of dentistry in Turkey.
• Constitutional Court 2024/162: The Constitutional Court found these conditions to be compatible with the Constitution also for foreigners. Therefore, it is not possible for foreign nationals to practice clinical dentistry, whether private or public.
• Regulation on Foreign Healthcare Professionals in Private Healthcare Organizations (22.02.2012) and its amendments (16.07.2013, 16.06.2016, 01.04.2017): The scope of the Regulation is regulated “except for dentists”. Although the 2013 amendment introduced some facilities for foreign physicians, dentistry is excluded from this scope. Even the temporary regulations in 2017 do not open a general door to the clinical practice of dentistry.

Conclusion: Dental practice involving “clinical” (patient intervention) is closed for foreign nationals.

2) Misunderstood Point: “Physician Accommodations” Do Not Cover Dentists

The 2013 amendment and the facilitations applied in practice were aimed at foreign health professionals other than doctors and dentists (equivalence, TÖMER period, etc.).

These flexibilities do not apply to dentistry. With the Constitutional Court 2024/162, the 1219 Art.30 line has been clarified.

To avoid confusion: The “prior authorization/balance/TÖMER/SKYS” line on the Foreign Doctor Work Permit page does not apply to dentistry.

3) What Can Be Done – Safe Non-Clinical Alternatives

While clinical practice is prohibited, it is possible to perform tasks that do not involve patient care, which are not considered to be the practice of a profession. For these positions, general work authorization processes can be applied.

Appropriate exemplary roles:

• Education & content: Dental device/product trainings, scientific content production, literature support
• R&D & technical expertise: Product development, quality, regulatory, non-clinical technical consulting
• Business development & management: Market research, sales operations, KAM/PM roles
• Academic/theoretical contribution: Seminars, publications, lecture contents without any procedure on the patient

Critical warning:

• Job description, contract, business card/website/social media texts should be designed in a way that does not evoke “dentist/clinical practice”.
• All statements must comply with the principle of “no patient examination/diagnosis/treatment”.
• Job description and KPIs in the application dossier should clearly indicate “non-clinical” nature.

For the process steps: Work Permit Application Process – Prerequisites: Work Permit Conditions – SSI: SSI Notification and Work Permit for Foreigners

4) Frequently Asked Questions (with Short Answers)

I am a dentist abroad; can I see patients in Turkey?

→ No. 1219 Art.30 + Clinical practice prohibited as per Constitutional Court 2024/162.

Can a foreigner who studied dentistry in Turkey work in a clinic?

→ No. The Constitutional Court decision 2024/162 also confirms the requirement of “being Turkish“.

Are there any exceptions with Turkish ancestry?

→ Although Law No. 2527 provides flexibility in some professions, it does not automatically permit the clinical practice of dentistry.

Do temporary protection/special exemptions cover dentistry?

→ No. Special arrangements, such as a shelter, do not cover the general practice of clinical dentistry.

Is it possible to open a non-clinical training/ R&D position?

→ Yes. If the job description is completely non-clinical, a general work permit application can be made:

Work Permit Application Process

5) Compliance and Risk Management (Checklist for Employer/HRM)

• Title & position: No references to “dentist / dentist / clinical”.
• Content audit: Website, social media, brochures-emphasizing“no transactions with patients”.
• Contract: Job description and KPIs include only non-clinical activities.
• Training & meeting: Remains on the borderline of “product/theoretical training”; does not include examination/diagnosis/treatment.
• SSI & payroll: Qualifications and wage levels appropriate to the position are declared correctly.
• Internal approval: Each announcement/text is revised with the legal/compliance unit.

6) Related Content (Internal Links)

• General framework: Foreign Work Permit Application Process
• Prerequisites Work Permit Requirements
• Doctor page (do not confuse): Foreign Doctor Work Permit
• SSI obligations: SSI Notification and Work Permit for Foreigners
• Exemption titles (general): Work Permit Exemption

7) Professional Support

Non-clinical employment fictions are nuanced. Position description, contracts and all communication documents must be in full compliance with 1219 Art.30 and AYM 2024/162. As a team, we manage the job description setup → application file → SSI / compliance line end-to-end. To prepare your file from start to finish in full compliance with the legislation MFY Legal | Law Office you can contact our team of lawyers.