Founder’s Message & Vision
The Art Thoughtful Care
A reflection on four decades of dentistry, guided by the belief that every smile begins with health — and that people deserve the very best.
“People deserve the very best — in health, in care, and in trust.”
Attelia was founded on the belief that dentistry should be more than a procedure — it should be an experience of trust, understanding, and excellence that endures long after the treatment ends.
For over four decades, our philosophy has remained the same: to place health before beauty, ethics before convenience, and empathy at the heart of every decision.
We see each smile not as a single result, but as a lifelong partnership built on care, science, and genuine human connection.
A Legacy Built on Principle: Health Above All
Looking back over my journey in dentistry, which has now spanned more than four decades, every step has been guided by one unwavering principle: health first, aesthetics second. To me, the foundation of a truly enduring smile is sound oral health; beauty only makes sense when it is built upon that solid core.
My path to this profession was shaped by deep personal drivers. As I grew up, I dreamed of a career where I could genuinely connect with people and transform their lives. I was profoundly moved by the care and healing spirit I witnessed from pharmacists during my father’s battle with cancer, sparking in me a desire to serve in the healthcare sector. It was my mother, however, who gently guided me towards dentistry—a field where clinical science and human connection perfectly intertwine. Early in my academic life, wrestling with challenging subjects like anatomy, a crucial realization struck me: If a thing is worth doing, it must be done to the highest ethical and scientific standard possible. This pursuit of excellence, over time, became the unshakeable pillar of our core philosophy: people deserve the very best. This belief has guided my entire career.
The Attelia Foundation: A Commitment to Excellence
After graduating in 1982 and opening my first clinic in Antalya four years later, I encountered both the profound challenges and the immense opportunities this profession offers. When I founded Attelia in 2000, my vision was not simply to open a clinic; it was to build a lasting healthcare institution—a legacy of quality, innovation, and ethical integrity for future generations.
This commitment drove us to become pioneers in the sector, earning our patients’ trust and enabling early adoption of cutting-edge technologies in Türkiye, such as 3D tomography, CAD/CAM design, and needle-free anaesthesia. Our goal was, and still is, to make every treatment safer, faster, and more comfortable. Furthermore, by establishing the Attelia Academy, we reinforced our belief that great dentistry is the product not of a single clinician, but of a continuously evolving community.
A Global Vision, A Human Touch
Attelia’s global journey began unexpectedly. The visit of a couple, Derek and Donna, right before Christmas many years ago, signalled the dawn of our international vision. Donna’s smile, compromised both in health and expression, required urgent and meticulous care. Restoring her entire oral structure—carefully crafting a healthy, brilliant result—was a truly transformative moment. Their gratitude sparked an international wave of patients, proving that our commitment to world-class quality transcends borders.
The conviction that dentistry is not just about teeth, but fundamentally about people, was further solidified by stories like that of a Falklands War veteran who came to our clinic. His dental issues had severely impacted his confidence. As I meticulously and delicately planned his treatment, I approached him not just as a patient, but as a human being with a profound story. The sheer joy that washed over his face when he first saw his restored smile, clearing the years of weariness from his eyes, was profound. The moment he said, “I haven’t smiled like this in years,” solidified the heart of our mission: to heal not just teeth, but a person’s spirit.
Our Promise for Tomorrow
Today, Attelia London is the natural and necessary continuation of this journey. Our aim here is to build a seamless bridge for our patients in the United Kingdom, combining the comfort of local trust with the international expertise and advanced technology we have honed over decades.
We are here to help shape the future of compassionate dental care. We want every patient who walks through the doors of Attelia London to feel truly welcomed, deeply understood, and sincerely supported. Because for us, every smile is a journey—and that journey finds its true meaning in confidence, care, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Dr Mehmet İşlek
Founder & Chief Dentist, Attelia Advanced Dentistry Centre
