London24NEWS

Brit with ‘heat smile’ dies after going for Turkey tooth and hair transplant

Mentor Rama, 36, travelled to Istanbul for a hair and teeth procedure last week but started to feel unwell when he arrived back at his hotel room, he was later rushed to a nearby hospital

The relatives of a British man who passed away following dental treatment and a hair transplant in Turkey have remembered him as “the smile that warmed” them. Mentor Rama, 36, flew to Istanbul for the hair and dental procedures last week but began feeling poorly after returning to his hotel room.

Emergency services were called shortly afterwards, and Rama was taken to a local hospital where he died on November 11. His remains were subsequently transferred to the Council of Forensic Medicine in Istanbul.

Officers have now opened an investigation into his death, reports the Mirror. An FCDO spokesperson told The Mirror: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities.”

A tribute posted on a relative’s public Facebook page declared “my heart is heavier than ever”. The message, translated from Albanian to English, read: “Your departure has left a void that nothing in this world can fill I never thought I would have to write such words for you.

“You were our light the smile that warmed us the strength that lifted us up every time we fell.

“The pain is so endless when I think that I will never see you again I will never hear your voice or your laughter that made us all happy.

“May God keep you in His light and mercy, my friend I pray that your soul may rest in peace and find a place in heaven, where neither pain nor sadness exists I will miss you every day of my life.”

Rama’s remains have been returned to his relatives and transported back to the UK, according to Turkish media outlets.

Turkey has emerged as a popular choice for Britons seeking budget-friendly cosmetic procedures, though tragically some patients have failed to make it home.

The Foreign Office revealed that no fewer than 28 British citizens have lost their lives in Turkey after undergoing elective treatments between March 2019 and March 2024.

Article continues below

Turkish clinics have gained recognition for offering what are termed “medical tourism packages”. Patients flock to Turkey for cut-price treatments, with the notorious “Turkey teeth” procedures typically running 40 to 60 per cent cheaper than equivalent work in the UK.

Numerous dental professionals have issued warnings against Britons jetting off to Turkey for dental treatments due to worries about potential complications.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.