Young children
Children with several decayed teeth for whom long treatment over several separate visits is difficult to carry out.
Specialist dental care for children under general anesthesia
Dental treatment under general anesthesia may be an appropriate option for children who, because of their age, severe dental anxiety, special needs, or the extent of treatment required, cannot cooperate adequately during routine dental care.
Dr. Barhan Pekel plans treatment individually. The decision to use general anesthesia is made after a dental examination and anesthesia assessment; when clinically indicated, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting in Istanbul in collaboration with the anesthesia team at Ataşehir Florence Nightingale Hospital.
Dr. Barhan Pekel
A specialist in pediatric dentistry experienced in treating young children, children with dental anxiety, and children with special needs.
Which children is this for?
For children who need more time, attention, and planning.
Some children have difficulty cooperating during a routine dental examination or possible procedures. For some children, treatment needs to be planned differently, more gradually, or in an adapted environment.
Dental anxiety
Children who are very afraid of an examination or procedure and have difficulty cooperating during a routine visit.
Special needs
Children who need an adapted approach, additional explanation, and individualized treatment planning.
General anesthesia
Pediatric dental care under general anesthesia
For some children, routine dental treatment is not possible because of their age, the extent of treatment, severe dental anxiety, or special needs.
In such cases, treatment under general anesthesia in a hospital setting may be considered after professional and anesthesiology assessment.
Dental treatment under general anesthesia is always performed in a hospital setting. For this type of procedure, our clinic has worked for almost 15 years with Ataşehir Florence Nightingale Hospital in Istanbul, which has a highly trained team experienced in working with children.
About
dr. Barhan Pekel
A specialist in pediatric dentistry with many years of experience, almost 20 years, in treating young children, children with dental anxiety, and children with special needs who have difficulty cooperating during a routine examination.
I have focused on pediatric dentistry since 2008. I graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry at Yeditepe University and then continued my professional training at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Marmara University.
I hold both a specialization in pediatric dentistry and a doctorate in the field of pediatric dentistry.
In my private clinic in Istanbul, I focus only on preventive procedures, dental trauma in children, and dental treatment under general anesthesia when medically needed.
Clinic and environment
A pleasant space for children and parents
In addition to the dental procedure itself, a sense of safety, a calm welcome, a child-friendly corner, and a modern way of working are also very important.
Official profiles
Official HealthTürkiye profiles for the doctor and clinic
The doctor and clinic profiles are published on the HealthTürkiye platform. The platform states that the information is verified by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye.
Doctor profileBarhan Pekel – pediatric dentistryClick to view the official profile →
Clinic profileDr. Barhan Pekel’s clinicClick to view the official profile →
Important: In Türkiye, healthcare institutions that provide international health tourism services must have the appropriate licence. Obtaining and maintaining this status is subject to defined criteria, verification, and supervision by the authorities.
Process
How do first contact and treatment in Türkiye work?
Click to view the 5-step treatment process From the first message to returning home
- 1
Send a short question
Via WhatsApp or email, write the child’s name and date of birth, the main problem, any relevant medical conditions, and medications the child is taking.
- 2
Preliminary assessment
Send us any reports and all previous imaging, such as panoramic X-rays, local dental X-rays, or CBCT. If possible, send photos of your child’s teeth that you can take with a phone. Based on the information sent, we can prepare an approximate treatment plan and an estimated cost.
- 3
Confirmation of treatment and hospital appointment booking
Together we decide on the planned procedure date. The final treatment plan is prepared only after an in-person examination of the child and the necessary diagnostics.
- 4
Arrival in Istanbul and the procedure
We recommend arriving in Istanbul at least 2 days before the planned procedure. The next day, 1 day before the procedure, the child has a dental examination at our clinic, an anesthesiology examination at the hospital, and blood tests at the hospital. On the day of the procedure, you arrive at the hospital 2 hours before the procedure and are discharged after observation and checks, approximately 3 hours after the procedure.
- 5
Post-treatment instructions and return to Slovenia
Parents receive instructions for care, nutrition, and follow-up after returning home. Return home is usually planned 1 day after the procedure. For the whole process, you should stay in Istanbul for at least 3 nights. We recommend regular follow-up examinations with the dentist who monitors your child in your home city.
Important: The first contact is intended for basic guidance. It is not a substitute for an examination and does not represent a definitive diagnosis or treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
Questions before first contact
What does a pediatric dentist do?
A pediatric dentist focuses on dental care for children, prevention, treatment of primary and permanent teeth, dental development, dental trauma, and an approach adapted to the child’s age and cooperation.
When should a family look for a specialist in pediatric dentistry?
A specialist in pediatric dentistry may be helpful for young children, extensive tooth decay, dental trauma, strong dental anxiety, children with special needs, or when treatment needs careful planning.
What can be done if a child is afraid of the dentist?
For a child with dental anxiety, a calm approach, gradual explanation, assessment of cooperation, and a plan adapted to the child’s age, previous experiences, and health status are important.
What does dental care for children with special needs mean?
It means adapting the examination or treatment plan to the child’s health condition, cooperation, communication, and family needs.
Could dental treatment under general anesthesia be an option for my child?
General anesthesia, often referred to as being put to sleep, may be an option for children who, because of their age, severe dental anxiety, special needs, or the extent of treatment required, cannot cooperate adequately during routine dental care. The decision is made after a dental examination and an anesthesia assessment.
How does dental treatment while asleep work?
The expression “dental treatment while asleep” is commonly used for treatment under general anesthesia. Where clinically indicated, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting in collaboration with the anesthesia team.
Can I know remotely whether my child needs general anesthesia?
Not definitively. Remotely, only general guidance can be given. A decision about general anesthesia is possible only after an examination, treatment planning, and anesthesiology assessment.
Where does treatment take place?
Treatment takes place in Istanbul, Türkiye. Routine care is provided in the clinic, while treatment under general anesthesia is performed in a hospital setting when needed.
Is this page intended for patients in Slovenia?
This page is intended for families in Slovenia looking for information about the possibility of pediatric dental treatment in Türkiye. Treatment does not take place in Slovenia.
Can I send photos of the teeth?
For the first contact, you can send basic information. Detailed medical documents should preferably be sent only after agreement and through an agreed secure communication channel.
How many days should we stay in Istanbul?
This depends on the examination, the extent of treatment, and the child’s general health. An approximate schedule can only be given after the case has been assessed.
Do you publish prices on the website?
No. The cost depends on the examination, diagnosis, treatment plan, and any hospital procedures. The first contact is intended for basic guidance.
Parent reviews
What do families say?
Short translated and shortened summaries of publicly available Google reviews. For the original texts and other reviews, please visit the Google profile.
★★★★★
For a 3.5-year-old child, several procedures were completed under general anesthesia in one appointment. What mattered most to the parents was the clear explanation of the process and the feeling of safety throughout.
I. A. · Google review★★★★★
During treatment under general anesthesia, the parents were informed in detail about every step. Clear explanations and a calm approach helped turn initial concern into trust.
B. E. · Google review★★★★★
Even during a young child’s first dental visit, the approach was calm, clear, and friendly to both the child and the parents. The procedure was completed quickly and without unnecessary stress.
B. M. Š. · Google reviewContact
Send a question
For the first contact, please use WhatsApp or email. Please write the child’s age, the main problem, and whether the child usually cooperates at the dentist. You can contact us in the language that suits you best.
Treatment under general anesthesia: always in a hospital setting, in cooperation with Ataşehir Florence Nightingale Hospital.