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The dental market in the Middle East is positioned to expand at a moderate rate, driven by demographic factors, increased immigration, government initiatives, and the continuing evolution of devices and materials. (Image: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock)

Mon. 3 February 2025

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BURNABY, Canada: Poor oral health has been contributing to a global silent epidemic that countries have been striving to combat for decades. Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), oral disease affects around 3.5 billion people globally.1 It thus places a high burden on public healthcare and financial burden on affected individuals, and the high prevalence of oral disease has increased demand for dental treatments and innovations, driving the growth of the overall dental market in recent years. Based on global reports from iData Research for various dental markets in 2023–2024, including those in the Middle East, the dental prosthetic market is the largest market segment, contributing to over two-fifths of the overall market value, followed by the dental operatory equipment market.2–6

Fig. 1: Middle Eastern dental market by segment in 2020–2030. (Image: iData Research)

Fig. 1: Middle Eastern dental market by segment in 2020–2030. (Image: iData Research)

In the Middle East, comprising countries such as Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the UAE has the highest percentage of individuals aged 20 and above with periodontal disease, at more than 22%, followed by Bahrain and Kuwait.7 Similarly, countries with the highest prevalence of dental caries among individuals aged 20 and above include Israel, at around 40%, followed by Saudi Arabia and Oman.7 In this context, the Middle Eastern dental market, which includes the dental prosthetic, digital dentistry, dental operatory equipment, dental implant and final abutment, and dental bone graft substitute markets, was valued at nearly US$1.3 billion (€1.2 billion*) in 2024 and is projected to reach over US$1.6 billion by 2030 (Fig. 1).2–6

Public health in the Middle East

Based on World Bank data, the age group of 50 years and older in the Middle East reached 31 million people in 2024, more than 120% greater than 20 years ago.8 Kuwait and Qatar had the highest percent increase—over fourfold—followed by Bahrain, which has more than tripled.8 In terms of the ratio of the number of older people to the total population, Israel and Iran had the highest ratios, exceeding 20%.8 Adding to the oral health concerns posed by ageing populations are high rates of smoking and sugar consumption. According to research, smoking increases the risk of periodontitis by 85%, and smokers are 4.65 times more likely to develop oral cancer.9, 10 Based on data from the World Population Review, the average smoking rate in the Middle East in 2022 was approximately 14%.11 Israel had the highest smoking rate, at around 20%, whereas Oman recorded the lowest rate, at about 8%.11 In terms of sugar consumption, according to WHO, in the Middle East, the average per capita consumption of sugar and sweeteners in 2022 was about 40 kg.12 Israel had the highest sugar consumption, whereas the UAE reported the lowest.12

Trends in the dental prosthetic market

The Middle Eastern dental prosthetic market, which includes the crown and bridge, inlay, onlay and complete denture segments, constituted the largest segment of the overall dental market in 2024. A significant portion of the dental prosthetic market is attributable to the crown and bridge segment. The Middle Eastern dental prosthetic market was valued at around  US$550 million in 2024 and is anticipated to exceed US$650 million by 2030.2 Demographic factors are one of the key drivers of this market growth, and increasing migration plays a major role in bolstering this sustained growth. The majority of the population in some countries in the Middle East are migrants, the region being a highly attractive destination for migrant workers. Notably, around 88% of the population in the UAE and over 70% in both Kuwait and Qatar are migrants.13 In addition, the growing availability of products that offer highly aesthetic restorations and a corresponding shift towards ceramic materials such as zirconia are expected to further stimulate the market.

Fig. 2: Average selling prices of 3D printers and CAD/CAM devices by global region in 2024. (Image: iData Research)

Fig. 2: Average selling prices of 3D printers and CAD/CAM devices by global region in 2024. (Image: iData Research)

Trends in the digital dentistry market

As the demand for dental prostheses continues to grow, so too does the need for more effective and efficient fabrication processes. CAD/CAM technology has revolutionised the dental prosthetic market. The Middle Eastern digital dentistry market, which comprises the CAD/CAM device, CAD/CAM material, 3D printer and 3D-printing material segments, is expected to reach US$92 million by 2030.3 The CAD/CAM device market, which consists of the milling device, laboratory scanner, chairside system and intra-oral scanner segments, represented the largest segment in the digital dentistry market. The average selling price of CAD/CAM devices in the Middle East is lower compared with that of North America and of Western Europe (Fig. 2). In contrast, the average selling price of dental 3D printers in the Middle East is higher than in North America and Western Europe.3

Trends in the dental operatory equipment market

The dental operatory equipment market, composed of numerous device segments, was the second-largest market in the Middle East in 2024, is growing at the fastest rate and is expected to reach more than US$480 million by 2030.4 The increasing number of individuals with oral disease, coupled with the growth in tourism and migration, has underpinned a significant demand for additional dental clinics. Moreover, the initiatives and financial assistance of national governments are playing a significant role in the increase of dental clinics, and this in turn positively affects the dental operatory equipment market. UAE government initiatives allowing foreign dentists to own clinics, the country’s low value-added tax rate and its marketing of dental vacation packages attract both dental professionals and patients alike, amplifying dental tourism. Saudi Arabia too has permitted foreign nationals to hold 100% ownership of business operations.14 These efforts by governments are likely to attract more competitors into the market, and this could lower average selling prices and further boost demand.

Globally, the dental operatory equipment is dominated by A-dec owing to its market share in the dental chair unit market. It is followed by Dentsply Sirona, who holds a major share in the ultrasonic scaler market. KaVo too is a dominant participant in the overall dental operatory equipment market owing to its share in several segments, including the dental handpiece, LED curing light, intra-oral scanner and caries detection device markets.4

Fig. 3: Unit sales in the dental implant market by global region in 2024. (Image: iData Research)

Fig. 3: Unit sales in the dental implant market by global region in 2024. (Image: iData Research)

Trends in the dental implant and final abutment market and dental bone graft substitute market

The dental implant and final abutment market and dental bone graft substitute market comprise only a fraction of the overall global dental market. Unit sales in the Middle East for these markets represented the second lowest globally in 2024 (Fig. 3).5 Furthermore, unit sales in the Middle Eastern dental implant market amounted to only 30% of those in the dental prosthetic market.5 Xenograft material is the most widely used grafting material for implant treatment in the Middle East, and it was thus the largest segment of the dental bone graft substitute market in 2024.6

Summary outlook

The Middle Eastern dental market is poised to grow at a moderate rate, driven by demographic factors, increased immigration, government initiatives, and the continuing evolution of devices and materials. However, this growth may be tempered by ongoing efforts by governments and dental professionals to raise awareness about dental health, supported by expanded access to information and the availability, affordability and advancement of oral healthcare products. The region’s dental prosthetic market represented the largest segment in 2024 and is expected to retain its value over the forecast period of 2024–2030. The dental operatory equipment market is projected to have the fastest growth rate compared with all the other segments, even as the population becomes increasingly aware of the importance of oral health. Furthermore, as the middle class in the Middle East continues to expand, the dental implant and final abutment market and dental bone graft substitute market will continue to trend upwards, implant treatment being considered an effective alternative to dentures. Overall, the market drivers and limiters of one segment have a significant impact on the growth of other market segments.

Editorial note:

* Calculated on the OANDA platform for 12 July 2024.

A complete list of references is available here.

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