A cancer survivor from Hertfordshire says she was left with a £22,000 dental bill and "rotting gums" after treatment in Turkey went wrong.
Sarah Watson, who had previously undergone radiotherapy, travelled abroad for dental work costing £3,200.
She said the dentist removed eight teeth without explanation and fitted a temporary bridge, which later led to serious complications.
Sarah said: "No, the dentist didn't speak English, not four words.
"There was a translator who worked at the front desk.
"She was lovely and had been living there for years.
"I gave them all my money because he wanted cash only. He counted it out in front of me.
"Then I was instantly put in the chair, injected and had eight teeth taken out of my mouth."
She later discovered the full extent of the damage after returning home and visiting her husband’s dentist.
Rotting flesh was found in her gums and cement was left in the extraction sites.
Sarah said: "He said my gums were like sponges.
"He said, 'I don't think we can save anything in there, but let's give it a go.'
"Otherwise, it was going to be dentures for the rest of my life.
"I'm in my mid-50s, and I couldn't imagine living with dentures at that age."
She spent nearly three years in treatment, with weekly five-hour appointments to restore her mouth.
The cost reached £22,000, which she described as "like a mortgage."
Her experience is part of a wider trend of patients seeking cheaper cosmetic dental work abroad, only to face extreme complications and higher costs for corrective treatment back home.
Suken Shah, managing director at Smart Dental Care, said: "This highlights a worrying increase in people going abroad for dental treatment, often drawn in by the promise of more affordable, quicker treatment.
"But so many individuals return home with complications and serious issues down the line, which ultimately will cost thousands in further treatment."
He stressed the importance of prioritising oral health and fully understanding treatment plans before undergoing any dental procedures.
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