25 Questions to Ask Before Paying a Deposit (Printable Checklist)

Print this checklist and use it for every provider you speak to. Get answers in writing.

Lab & Materials (Most Critical)

• 1. Who makes my restorations? — Get the full name of the dental lab
• 2. Who is the master ceramist? — Get their name and experience with my case type
• 3. Will I get a Lab Passport? — Request one with material brands and batch/lot numbers
• 4. What materials will you use? — Get specific brands (implants, zirconia/e.max), not just “premium”
• 5. Can you provide material certificates? — Ask for CE certificates/batch documentation

Dentist & Credentials

• 6. Who is my treating dentist/surgeon? — Full name, specialty, license number
• 7. Are they a specialist for this procedure? — If implants/surgery, need Oral Surgery/Periodontics specialist
• 8. Can you verify credentials? — Will you provide license number for independent verification?
• 9. Do you have Health Tourism Authorization Certificate? — Request certificate number
• 10. Do you have JCI/Temos accreditation? — If claimed, provide verification details

Treatment Planning

• 11. Will I get a treatment plan based on my scans/photos? — Not a generic package quote
• 12. Can I see a Digital Smile Design? — Before any tooth preparation
• 13. Will I get a physical mock-up to try? — Highly recommended
• 14. Is my treatment plan conservative? — How much tooth reduction is actually needed?
• 15. Will you do CBCT imaging if needed? — Essential for implants/bone assessment

Pricing & Logistics

• 16. Can I get an itemized quote? — Break down all costs (consult, surgery, lab, temporaries, finals, revisions)
• 17. What’s included/excluded? — Be explicit about extras (meds, X-rays, accommodation, transfers)
• 18. Are there any hidden costs? — Ask specifically about potential upcharges
• 19. What payment methods do you accept? — Avoid large cash-only payments
• 20. When is payment due? — Never pay 100% upfront; reasonable deposit structure

Warranty, Aftercare & Accountability

• 21. What’s your warranty? — Get written terms (duration, what’s covered, exclusions, claim process)
• 22. What’s your aftercare plan? — Timeline, who to contact, emergency protocol
• 23. How do you handle complications? — Process if issues arise in Turkey or after returning home
• 24. Will you help with home dentist coordination? — Support finding dentist willing to treat after tourism?
• 25. Who advocates for me if there’s a dispute? — Is there a patient coordinator/case manager working for me?

Scoring Guide

• 25/25 with written answers: Excellent — transparent provider
• 20-24/25: Good — address any gaps before paying
• 15-19/25: Concerning — proceed with extreme caution
• Below 15: Red flag — strongly consider other options

Tips For Using This Checklist

• Get answers in writing: Email or message responses, don’t rely on verbal only
• Don’t rush: Take time to compare answers across providers
• Verify independently: Check licenses/certificates yourself
• Trust patterns: One red flag might be explainable; multiple red flags aren’t
• Prioritize lab questions: Questions 1-5 are your most important

The Lab-First Reminder

At Dental Curators, we believe in answering all these questions upfront. Our lab-first approach means questions 1-5 are easy to answer because we select and name the master ceramist and lab for your specific case.

Never pay a deposit until you’ve gotten satisfactory written answers to all critical questions.

Related Resources

• Is Dental Treatment in Turkey Safe? A Lab-Side Checklist
• 12 Red Flags in a Turkish Dental Clinic Quote
• How to Verify a Turkish Dentist: Licence, Health Tourism Certificate, JCI and Temos
• Dental Tourism Agency vs. Booking a Clinic Direct: Who Works for You?