Japan Dental Care Market Analysis

Japan Dental Care Market Executive Summary

Japan's dental care market is regarded as advanced and sophisticated. Dental care in Japan is of high quality, and dental services are readily available throughout the country. Dental implants, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and regular dental care are among the products and services available in Japan's dental care market. The current market of dental care is valued at $2.23 Bn (2022) and is projected to increase to $3.80 Bn (2030) at a CAGR of 6.9% over the forecasted period of 2022-30. The market is dominated by huge corporations, although there are numerous small and medium-sized businesses as well.

The Japan dentistry community is comprised of over 75,000 oral medical institutions, 160,000 dentists, and 300,000 oral hygienists, and has the world's second-largest dental market after the United States dental market. It features one of the most stable dental markets in the world, as well as the finest quality dental practitioners. In 2020, the number of dentists per 100,000 people was 83.

Because of growing consumer knowledge and better information transmission in emerging nations, the relevance of dental care and oral care products has expanded considerably in recent years. The underlying need for oral health care products derives from the fact that the vast majority of oral health disorders are avoidable and/or treatable using readily available commercial available solutions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised awareness in Japan about a variety of oral health issues, such as dental caries (2.9 Mn people were treated in 2020), which can cause tooth decay, periapical abscess, it may cause pain, chronic systemic illness, or abnormal growth patterns. Tooth decay is a common reason for missing school or work.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

The Japanese government has good reason to be concerned about the pace of population ageing and the challenges it presents - not just to the medical sector, but also to the dental industry - as a result of a dropping birth rate and an increasing proportion of older individuals. Japan's over-75s now account for more than 15% of the population, having increased by 720,000 to 19.37 Mn people, according to government figures released in 2022, demonstrating the country's rapidly greying society. When compared to other industrialized countries, the usage of medical insurance claims to offset dental care expenditures is unusually high as a proportion of total medical insurance coverage. As a result, Japanese individuals have developed the habit of visiting their dentist on a regular basis. Patients would typically visit a private clinic rather than a public one. Japan is a prominent dental tourism destination, attracting patients from all over the world who travel to take advantage of the high-quality dental care provided in Japan. The rise in disposable money is driving up demand for cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics.

Market Restraints

 Although Japanese people's oral health has improved, there are still numerous issues to be addressed. These include regional differences in oral health and total healthcare costs, particularly for the elderly. Furthermore, because Japan is prone to natural disasters, we must build an emergency oral healthcare system to deal with calamities and train dental personnel to handle appropriate intervention programs. It appears that the technological development of a new tele-dental system that may be employed in rural and remote areas of Japan without easy access to dental experts to receive diagnostic and preventive care is equally vital.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• J. MORITA Corporation (JPN)
• Mani, Inc. (JPN)
• GC Corporation
• Mitsui & Co. (JPN)
• Tokuyama Dental Corporation (JPN)
• DenTech Corporation
• The Yoshida Dental Mfg. Co. Ltd. (JPN)
• Dentsply Sirona
• Nissin Dental Products Inc. (JPN)
• Nakanishi Inc. (JPN)

Notable Recent Deals

October 2022 - The Tokyo Institute of Technology and the Tokyo Medical and Dental University said that they will merge to form a new national university by the end of fiscal 2024, with the goal of increasing their global research competitiveness. The two universities, both of which are regarded as top-tier in their respective professions in Japan, plan to apply for a government grant to fund the integration. The grant is part of the government's new $68 Bn funding package to assist universities in producing internationally competitive research results. The agreement set the stage for the first merger of national institutions classified as globally competitive.

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

The Japan Dental Association (JDA) is the congress of all practicing dentists across provinces in Japan. Persons intending to practice dentistry in Japan must pass the National Dental Practitioner's Examination and obtain a license from Japan's Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare. The JDA is committed to the following activities in order to improve the ethics of the dental profession, develop dental sciences, and improve public oral health, thereby boosting the welfare of JDA members and the community. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment Agency (PMDA) in Japan is in charge of manufacturer litigation and regulatory compliance, as well as a medical device, regenerative medical goods, dental equipment, in-vitro diagnostics, and clinical trial standards.

Reimbursement Scenario

Japan has a universal health system that was established in 1961 and has been commended for its accomplishment in good population health at a low cost. With the exclusion of dental implants, orthodontic treatments, and treatments employing newer materials that might be substituted by more conventional materials, the insurance system covers a wide range of dental treatments. The government has made a concerted effort to ensure that all Japanese people, regardless of work position, residency, or age, have access to health care at a reasonable cost. Japan recorded the largest number of dental visits among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, with approximately half the level of edentulism among its seniors compared to numerous European countries.