UAE Dental Care Market Analysis

UAE Dental Care Market Executive Summary

The UAE dental care market size is at around $179 Mn in 2022 and is projected to reach $318 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period from 2022-30. The UAE is relatively new to medical and dental tourism; its high-quality services are drawing an increasing number of international patients. Prices for dental procedures in the UAE aren't as low as in other, more established medical tourist destinations, such as Thailand - but visitors to the UAE aren't normally concerned with saving money, given that it is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Aside from the possible savings, the UAE's major lure for dental tourists is the sheer high-quality and luxury of its treatments; this country just does not settle for second-best.

The government of the UAE has also been investing in expanding and improving its healthcare infrastructure and services, which has contributed to higher healthcare spending. Additionally, the increasing awareness of oral health and the growing popularity of cosmetic dentistry has led to an increase in the demand for dental services, which may also be contributing to higher healthcare spending in this area.

The dentistry market in the UAE is growing rapidly due to factors such as an increasing population, rising disposable incomes, and increased awareness of oral health. The market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by factors such as an increasing focus on preventative care, the growing popularity of cosmetic dentistry, and the expansion of insurance coverage for dental treatments. The market is also expected to benefit from government initiatives aimed at promoting oral health and increasing the number of dental professionals in the country. However, the market is also characterized by a high degree of competition among providers, which may lead to price pressure and reduced profitability for some players.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) dentistry services industry is expanding, with a high demand for dental care. Some of the things that contribute to this are as follows: The UAE has a growing population and a large number of expats. The UAE government is concentrating its efforts on strengthening the healthcare industry and boosting medical tourism. Advanced technology and equipment are available at dentistry clinics and hospitals. A wide range of dental services, such as orthodontics, aesthetic dentistry, and implantology, are available. There is an increasing number of private dental clinics and specialist dental institutions offering a wide range of services and treatments. The expansion of dental insurance coverage for treatments and procedures. The presence of a high number of dental practitioners, including general dentists, oral surgeons, orthodontic specialists, periodontists, and endodontists.

Market Restraints

The UAE has a restricted number of dental education institutions, making it challenging to attract and retain dental practitioners in the country. The limited availability of dental experts in certain places, particularly in rural areas, might make access to dental care difficult for patients. Strict rules and qualifications for dental practitioners are necessary, making it difficult for new experts to enter the market and limiting the number of specialists accessible to give treatments. The market's considerable competitiveness and the presence of numerous prominent dental clinics and centers can make it tough for new dental practices to establish themselves. High dental treatment expenses, can be an impediment for some patients, particularly those without insurance coverage.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• GMC Clinics
• Dental Studio
• Cosmo Health Medical Centre
• Clover Medical Centre
• Apex Medical & Dental Clinics
• Dubai Smile Dental Clinic
• Saudi German Clinics
• American Dental Clinic
• Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group
• Aster DM Healthcare
• Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centers
• NMC Healthcare
• Prime HealthCare Group
• Dental Hub
• Dubai London Clinic & Speciality Hospital

Notable Recent Deals

January 2023 - Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) has acquired Dental Care Alliance (DCA), a significant US-based dental services organization with roughly 390 associated practices, alongside funds managed by Harvest Partners, a well-established private equity firm focused on middle-market investments. DCA, which was founded in 1991, employs roughly 5,400 people in 22 states, including over 885 dentists, and receives over 3.5 Mn patient visits every year.

January 2023 - Thumbay Dentistry Hospital (TDH), the largest academic dental hospital in the UAE, has entered into a partnership with Gaea Cynosure, one of the region's top Continuing Medical Education (CME) providers, to expand its network of partner academic institutions. In conjunction with Gaea Cynosure, the MoU seeks to provide clinical training facilities for doctors, physicians, and surgeons, as well as collaborations in other advanced super-specialized educational programs. Collaboration with Gaea Cynosure will enhance TDH's cutting-edge clinical training facilities, open up new educational pathways, and provide advanced specialized courses for students and working professionals in order to produce a highly trained, specialized, and sustainable healthcare workforce.

November 2022 - Olive Rock Partners, an Abu Dhabi-based independent private equity firm, announced the acquisition of majority shares in two UAE-based dentistry networks. In collaboration with their respective managing doctors, Olive Rock Partners invested in Dubai-based The Dental Studio (TDS) and Abu Dhabi's Al Bustan Medical Centre. Both of these platforms are market leaders and are advantageously positioned for M&A expansion in complementary catchment areas within the UAE. TDS, which was founded in 2004, has 5 clinics in Dubai, while Al Bustan, situated in Abu Dhabi, has 3.

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), Emirates Health Authority (EHA), Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) are working together to promote oral hygiene on a greater scale in the country through health care policies and initiatives. Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the responsible entity for regulating, licensing and monitoring health facilities and healthcare professionals in the Emirate of Dubai.  The Health Regulation Sector (HRS) is an integral part of DHA and was founded to fulfill the following overarching strategic objectives and program: Programs such as Oral & Dental Care, which focus on creating awareness, prevention, and screening, as well as establishing dental protocols, are likely to contribute to the expansion of the dental services market in the UAE.

Reimbursement Scenario

The Emirate of Dubai has consolidated all government health insurance systems under the Unified Health Insurance System "Enaya," which includes the "Saada" program and other government insurance schemes. According to a press release, the goal of this transition is to surround insurance beneficiaries with a more advanced integrated system, allowing them to get high-quality medical services and high-level health care. The process of incorporating the Dubai Health Authority, the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, and the Dubai Finance Department into a unified system resulted from research conducted with the support and supervision of the General Secretariat of the Executive Council. The service is free of charge for UAE citizens and GCC nationals who hold valid health cards. UAE citizens and GCC nationals (who do not have a health card or have an expired health card) will be charged for the service according to the regulation and patient diagnosis. Residents of other nationalities (who do not have a health card or have an expired health card) will be charged a fee determined according to the diagnosis.