Austria Dental Care Market Analysis

Austria Dental Care Market Executive Summary

Austria's dental care market size is at around $143.52 Bn in 2022 and is projected to reach $xx Bn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period 2022-30. Austria has a well-developed and high-quality healthcare system that is financed by a combination of public and private funds. The system is based on the principle of social health insurance, which means that most residents are required to pay into a public health insurance fund, and in return, they are entitled to access a wide range of healthcare services. The public healthcare system in Austria is divided into two main branches: the statutory health insurance system, which covers the majority of the population, and the civil servant health insurance system, which covers government employees and their families. The healthcare services provided by the public system include general practitioners, specialists, hospitals, and pharmacies, as well as a wide range of preventive and rehabilitation services. The public healthcare system also covers dental care, but the coverage is limited to specific treatments such as check-ups and basic procedures.

In addition to the public healthcare system, there is also a private healthcare system in Austria that provides more extensive coverage and more specialized services. Many Austrians choose to have private health insurance to complement the public system and have access to faster treatment and a wider range of services. The total health expenditure in Austria as a percentage of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) was around 11.1% in 2018. This is considered to be a relatively high level of health expenditure compared to other countries. The government is the main source of funding for the healthcare system in Austria, with around 80% of health expenditure coming from public sources. The remaining 20% of health expenditure comes from private sources, including out-of-pocket payments, private health insurance, and private hospitals.

The status of oral health in Austria is generally considered to be good. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of the population in Austria has a high level of oral health, with a low prevalence of tooth decay and a high proportion of adults who have retained their natural teeth. The Austria government and dental associations have implemented various preventive measures and campaigns to promote oral health and prevent dental diseases, such as fluoride treatment, tooth brushing education, and regular dental check-ups However, like in many developed countries, there is still a need for dental services in Austria like the need for dental services for certain population groups, such as older adults, or for specific dental procedures, such as dental implants and orthodontics, may be higher than for other groups or procedures. As the population ages, the need for dental services such as dentures and other restorative treatments may increase.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

A significant factor influencing demand for oral care products is the increased incidence of dental caries. Children frequently have tooth decay as a result of their poor eating habits and poor oral care. As a result, dental caries is more common in young people. In addition, rising internet usage in both developed and developing nations, as well as ever-improving point-of-care models, are some of the additional reasons promoting the expansion of the Austria dental care market. When compared to other developed countries, the use of medical insurance claims to offset dental care costs is extremely high as a percentage of overall medical insurance coverage. As a result, people in Austria have formed the habit of regularly visiting their dentist. Patients are more likely to visit a private clinic than a public one. Demand for cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics is increasing as disposable income rises.

Market Restraints

The dental care or oral hygiene industry is being hampered by intensifying price rivalry and a lack of client understanding of technological improvements. Regional disparities in oral health and total healthcare costs, particularly for the elderly, are examples. It appears that the technical development of a new tele-dental system that can be used in rural and isolated areas of Austria that do not have easy access to dental professionals to receive diagnostic and preventive care is equally important, particularly for the aging population.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• Zahnarzt Team
• Zahnarztzentrum
• Zahnmedizinisches Zentrum

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

Austrian Dental Council ADC was founded based on the Austrian Dental Chamber Act (Zahnärztekammergesetz) at the start of 2006 as a professional body of dentists and as the competent authority for dentistry. As a competent authority, ADC acts under the surveillance of the Austrian ministry of health.

Reimbursement Scenario

In Austria, dental care is covered by the public health insurance system, which is operated by social health insurance organizations. The coverage for dental care varies depending on the specific insurance plan and the insurance company, but most plans provide coverage for basic dental care such as check-ups and fillings. However, more advanced procedures, such as orthodontics and dental implants, are generally not covered by public health insurance and patients have to pay for these services out of pocket or through private insurance. UNIQA, which is one of the largest insurance companies in Austria and offers dental insurance policies that provide coverage for a variety of procedures, including preventive care, restorative care, and orthodontics. Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), which is another major insurance company in Austria and offers dental insurance policies that provide coverage for a wide range of procedures, including general dentistry, orthodontics, and implants. Europäische Reiseversicherung (ERV), is a specialist travel insurance company offering dental insurance policies that provide coverage for a variety of procedures while traveling abroad.