Market · Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
United Arab Emirates has 89.8 dentists per 100,000 people (other basis, 2023)
Dental market data for United Arab Emirates: 7 sourced metrics with as-of dates, source links and comparability ratings; gaps are listed explicitly.
Dental Market Radar Editorial Team · Updated · Data as of
United Arab Emirates had 89.8 dentists per 100,000 people in 2023 (basis not stated), derived from 9,413 dentists (WHO Global Health Observatory API) divided by total population (World Bank WDI).
Key points
- United Arab Emirates had 9,413 dentists in 2023 (basis not stated), according to WHO Global Health Observatory API.
- There is no official UAE-wide count of dental clinics. In Dubai alone, the DHA licensed 70 dental clinics in 2025, according to Government of Dubai Media Office.
- United Arab Emirates spent about US$698.54 million on dental care in 2019, according to WHO Global Health Observatory API.
- United Arab Emirates has no reliable figure for dentists (the authorities do not publish it). See the data record.
Coverage of the expected metric set: 6 of 12 have a value (0 of them stale), 6 are documented as no reliable figure, 0 are not yet collected. See the coverage matrix.
Cite this
Dental Market Radar (dentalmarketradar.com), United Arab Emirates dental market data, https://dentalmarketradar.com/markets/ae/
Permanent URL: https://dentalmarketradar.com/markets/ae/. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Key stats
Versus the region
What is the population of United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates had a population of 11,294,243 in 2024, according to Gulf Research Center GLMM programme Gulf Labour Markets and Migration table.
What is the GDP per capita of United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates had a GDP per capita of US$50,274 in 2024, according to World Bank WDI API.
How many dentists are there in United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates had 9,413 dentists in 2023 (basis not stated), according to WHO Global Health Observatory API.
How many dentists per 100,000 people does United Arab Emirates have?
United Arab Emirates had 89.8 dentists per 100,000 people in 2023 (basis not stated), derived from 9,413 dentists (WHO Global Health Observatory API) divided by total population (World Bank WDI).
How many dental clinics are there in United Arab Emirates?
There is no official UAE-wide count of dental clinics. In Dubai alone, the DHA licensed 70 dental clinics in 2025, according to Government of Dubai Media Office.
Tier-1 snapshot
| Metric | Value | Basis | As of | Comparability | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,294,243 persons | other | Comparability A | Value | |
| GDP per capita (US$) | US$50,274 | other | Comparability A | Value | |
| Dentists (total) | 9,413 persons | other (national (all emirates, presumed)) | Comparability B | Value | |
| Dentists (practising) | Not published why | other | Comparability C | Not available | |
| Dentists per 100,000 population | 89.8 per 100,000 | other | Comparability B | Value | |
| Dental hygienists total | No figure found why | other | Comparability C | Not available | |
| Dental technicians total | No figure found why | other | Comparability C | Not available | |
| Dental graduates annual | No figure found why | other | Comparability C | Not available | |
| Dental schools total | No figure found why | other | Comparability C | Not available | |
| Dental clinics total | 70 facilities | licensed (Dubai (DHA) only) | Comparability C | Value | |
| Hospitals with a dental department | No figure found why | other | Comparability C | Not available | |
| Dental public coverage | No single national scheme. In Dubai, the mandatory Essential Benefits Plan for lower-income employees excludes dental care except emergencies (20%… | other (Dubai EBP; Abu Dhabi Thiqa) | Comparability C | Value |
Per-capita rates use World Bank total population for the same year; the national statistics figure stays in the Context table below.
Workforce
| Metric | Latest value | Basis | As of | Comparability | Source | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists (total) | 9,413 persons | other (national (all emirates, presumed)) | Comparability B | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Value | |
| Dentists (practising) | Not published why No reliable figure found. The UAE licenses dentists through three regulators (MOHAP for the northern emirates, DHA in Dubai, DoH in Abu Dhabi) and no national active count was fetchable. Lead: MOHAP… | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Dentists in clinics (tier 2) | No record | No record | ||||
| Dentists per 100,000 population | 89.8 per 100,000 | other | Comparability B | World Bank WDI: Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL) | Value | |
| Dental hygienists total | No figure found why No reliable figure found. The MOHAP annual report, DHA and DoH statistics would hold it, but they were not fetchable (MOHAP connection reset; DoH latest published statistics found are 2017). | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Dental technicians total | No figure found why No reliable figure found. Same leads as for hygienists. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Dental graduates annual | No figure found why No reliable figure found. Lead: each college's graduation figures, or MoHESR/CAA higher-education statistics. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Dental schools total | No figure found why No reliable figure found. University pages show accredited BDS programmes at least at Gulf Medical University, City University Ajman, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University and Ajman University;… | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Dentists public sector (tier 2) | No record | No record | ||||
| Dental therapists total (tier 2) | No record | No record | ||||
| Dental new licences annual (tier 2) | No record | No record | ||||
| Oral health therapists total (tier 2) | No record | No record | ||||
| Dental prosthetists total (tier 2) | No record | No record | ||||
| Dentists specialists total (tier 2) | No record | No record |
Facilities
| Metric | Latest value | Basis | As of | Comparability | Source | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental clinics total | 70 facilities | licensed (Dubai (DHA) only) | Comparability C | Dubai Media Office: Dubai's healthcare ecosystem posts record growth in 2025 (2026-02-18), DHA statistics | Value | |
| Hospitals with a dental department | No figure found why No reliable figure found. Same leads as dental_clinics_total. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| DSO share of dental clinics (%) (tier 2) | No figure found why No reliable figure found. No official measure of chain or group ownership of dental clinics. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Dental businesses total (tier 2) | No record | No record |
Self-pay
| Metric | Latest value | Basis | As of | Comparability | Source | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Implant procedures annual (tier 2) | Not published why No reliable figure found. No official or association count of implant procedures found. Implants are private-pay; no claims series is published. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Clear aligner cases annual (tier 2) | Not published why No reliable figure found, now checked against company filings (J1 approved). Align's latest earnings release gives one global shipments figure (690,635 cases in Q3 2026) with no country or Middle… | other | Comparability C | Align Technology Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1: Q3 2026 earnings press release (filed 2026-10-28) | Not available | |
| Self-pay share of dental spend (%) (tier 2) | No figure found why No reliable figure found. No national health-accounts split of dental spend by payer found. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Total dental spend (US$) (tier 2) | US$698.54 million (stale) | estimate | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Value (stale) | |
| Dental public coverage | No single national scheme. In Dubai, the mandatory Essential Benefits Plan for lower-income employees excludes dental care except emergencies (20%… | other (Dubai EBP; Abu Dhabi Thiqa) | Comparability C | Individual Medical Policy for Employees, EMed, Table of Benefits (DHA Essential Benefits Plan), 2024 | Value | |
| Dental spend local currency (tier 2) | No record | No record |
Digital
| Metric | Latest value | Basis | As of | Comparability | Source | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intraoral scanners installed (tier 2) | No figure found why No reliable figure found. No reliable public estimate; only market-research teasers without method. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Chairside cadcam installed base (tier 2) | No figure found why No reliable figure found. No reliable public estimate. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Dental 3d printer installed base (tier 2) | No figure found why No reliable figure found. No reliable public estimate. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Ios penetration % dentists (tier 2) | No record | No record |
Sleep
| Metric | Latest value | Basis | As of | Comparability | Source | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult OSA prevalence (%) (tier 2) | Not published why No reliable figure found. No national survey value fetched this session. Lead: Benjafield et al., Lancet Respir Med 2019 (modelled country estimates) and national peer-reviewed sleep studies. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available | |
| Oral appliance reimbursement (tier 2) | No figure found why No reliable figure found. No payer rule on oral appliances for sleep apnoea found. | other | Comparability C | WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates | Not available |
Context
| Metric | Latest value | Basis | As of | Comparability | Source | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,294,243 persons | other | Comparability A | Gulf Labour Markets and Migration (GLMM) table: Total population residing in the UAE, by sex (2000-2024), sourced to FCSC | Value | |
| GDP per capita (US$) | US$50,274 | other | Comparability A | World Bank WDI API: GDP per capita (current US$), NY.GDP.PCAP.CD, United Arab Emirates | Value |
Local definitions
- Population
- Total count of all persons living within the UAE, from administrative records (FCSC)
- GDP per capita (US$)
- GDP per capita, current US$ (World Bank WDI)
- Dentists (total)
- WHO NHWA 'Dentists' headcount as reported by the UAE; federal plus emirate regulators presumably (not stated)
- Dentists per 100,000 population
- Headline rate (DECISIONS L4/L5): dentists_total (other: national (all emirates, presumed)) divided by World Bank total population, same year
- Dental clinics total
- DHA licence category 'general dental clinic' in Dubai (standalone general dental clinics only)
- Dental public coverage
- What mandatory/public cover pays for dental care, by emirate
Documented gaps
Reasons: No figure found (gap): we searched and found nothing; Not applicable (structural): the measure does not exist or does not apply there; Source blocked (blocked_source): a source exists but could not be read; Not published (not_published): the authorities do not publish it.
- Dentists (practising): not_published. No reliable figure found. The UAE licenses dentists through three regulators (MOHAP for the northern emirates, DHA in Dubai, DoH in Abu Dhabi) and no national active count was fetchable. Lead: MOHAP Statistical Annual Report 2023 (mohap.gov.ae; connection reset), DHA statistics, DoH 'Abu Dhabi Health Statistics'. (record)
- Dental hygienists total: gap. No reliable figure found. The MOHAP annual report, DHA and DoH statistics would hold it, but they were not fetchable (MOHAP connection reset; DoH latest published statistics found are 2017). (record)
- Dental technicians total: gap. No reliable figure found. Same leads as for hygienists. (record)
- Dental graduates annual: gap. No reliable figure found. Lead: each college's graduation figures, or MoHESR/CAA higher-education statistics. (record)
- Hospitals with a dental department: gap. No reliable figure found. Same leads as dental_clinics_total. (record)
- DSO share of dental clinics (%): gap. No reliable figure found. No official measure of chain or group ownership of dental clinics. (record)
- Implant procedures annual: not_published. No reliable figure found. No official or association count of implant procedures found. Implants are private-pay; no claims series is published. (record)
- Clear aligner cases annual: not_published. No reliable figure found, now checked against company filings (J1 approved). Align's latest earnings release gives one global shipments figure (690,635 cases in Q3 2026) with no country or Middle East line. Its Q4/FY2025 release splits shipments only into Americas and 'International' (EMEA plus APAC), per press… (record)
- Self-pay share of dental spend (%): gap. No reliable figure found. No national health-accounts split of dental spend by payer found. (record)
- Intraoral scanners installed: gap. No reliable figure found. No reliable public estimate; only market-research teasers without method. (record)
- Chairside cadcam installed base: gap. No reliable figure found. No reliable public estimate. (record)
- Dental 3d printer installed base: gap. No reliable figure found. No reliable public estimate. (record)
- Adult OSA prevalence (%): not_published. No reliable figure found. No national survey value fetched this session. Lead: Benjafield et al., Lancet Respir Med 2019 (modelled country estimates) and national peer-reviewed sleep studies. (record)
- Oral appliance reimbursement: gap. No reliable figure found. No payer rule on oral appliances for sleep apnoea found. (record)
- Dental schools total: gap. No reliable figure found. University pages show accredited BDS programmes at least at Gulf Medical University, City University Ajman, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University and Ajman University; MBRU (Dubai) and University of Sharjah also teach dentistry (not verified this session). Lead: the CAA (Commission for… (record)
Data notes
Series breaks: a change in source or definition inside a series. A jump across a break is never growth.
No series breaks documented.
Desk notes on gaps
The weakest of the three GCC markets. The national primary sources could not be fetched from this environment:
- MOHAP Statistical Annual Report 2023 (mohap.gov.ae): the TCP connection was reset, both for curl and for the fetch tool.
- The FCSC open-data portal (opendata.fcsc.gov.ae) returned 403; fcsc.gov.ae HTML pages return a Cloudflare block. Only the FCSC SDG report PDF downloaded.
- DoH Abu Dhabi: the latest statistics found are for 2017.
The UAE has three health regulators: MOHAP (federal, northern emirates), DHA (Dubai) and DoH (Abu Dhabi). Records state national or emirate scope.
Tier 1
| Metric | Status | Value / reason |
|---|---|---|
| population | filled, medium | 11,294,243 (2024, preliminary) and 10,678,556 (2023), from FCSC via the GLMM republication |
| gdp_per_capita_usd | filled, medium | US$50,274 (2024), World Bank WDI; 2025 not yet published |
| dentists_total | filled, medium, B | 9,413 (2023), WHO NHWA as reported by the UAE; 6,576 (2019) |
| dentists_practising | null | No national active count |
| dentists_per_100k | filled, derived | 81.0 (2021, FCSC/MOHAP SDG report: 8.1 per 10,000 "dentistry personnel"); 88.1 (2023, 9,413 / FCSC population) |
| dental_hygienists_total | null | MOHAP/DHA/DoH statistics not fetchable |
| dental_technicians_total | null | Same |
| dental_graduates_annual | null | Lead: college-level graduation data, MoHESR |
| dental_schools_total | null | Programmes found at GMU, City University Ajman, RAKMHSU and Ajman University, with MBRU and Sharjah likely as well, but no official list was fetched. Lead: the CAA directory |
| dental_clinics_total | null | Leads: DHA Sheryan, DoH facility list, MOHAP |
| hospitals_with_dental_dept | null | Same leads |
| dental_public_coverage | filled, low, C | Dubai EBP excludes dental except emergencies (insurer table of benefits). Abu Dhabi nationals' Thiqa includes dental (schedule not fetched) |
Tier 2 scan
| Metric | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dental_spend_total_usd | filled, low, C | US$698.5 million (2019), WHO modelled estimate |
| all other tier-2 metrics | null | No reliable figure found; aligner company filings not used |
Weakest cells and best leads
- Most of tier 1 depends on MOHAP. Its Statistical Annual Report (2021, 2022 and 2023 editions are on mohap.gov.ae) very likely holds dentists by emirate and sector, other dental professions, and facilities. A fetch from a different network, or the leader's browser, should fix several cells at once.
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi publish emirate figures: the DHA annual statistical report, and DoH "Abu Dhabi Health Statistics".
- The population figure is a secondary republication, though it matches the FCSC figure quoted in UAE press.
Proposed metrics
dentists_total_by_emirate(persons, with emirate insubgroup), or allowscope: "licensed: Dubai (DHA)"records underdentists_total, so that emirate figures can be stored without being mistaken for national totals.
Update, block 2 (2026-11-09)
ae.dental_clinics_total.2025= 70: Dubai only, DHA licence category "general dental clinic", from the Dubai Media Office release of 2026-02-18. Comparability C. It leaves out dental services in polyclinics, specialised clinics, medical centres and hospitals, and all other emirates, so it is not a national count. The release also gives Dubai's totals: about 5,800 licensed facilities (2025) and about 69,400 private-sector health professionals.- No other UAE source was retried (leader ruling; J2 pending).
Update, block 3 (2026-11-09)
clear_aligner_cases_annual: still null, now checked against company filings (J1). Align Technology's Q3 2026 8-K gives only a global shipments figure (690,635 cases). Its annual split is Americas vs International (EMEA plus APAC). No filing has a GCC country split. Recorded as revision 2 of the 2026 null.
Sources
- Monitoring SDG3 / Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024 (health worker density table, target 3.c.1) (Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP))
- WHO Global Health Observatory API: NHWA dentists (HWF_0011) and dental expenditure, United Arab Emirates (World Health Organization (NHWA data portal, December 2025 update))
- Gulf Labour Markets and Migration (GLMM) table: Total population residing in the UAE, by sex (2000-2024), sourced to FCSC (Gulf Research Center GLMM programme (republishing FCSC))
- World Bank WDI API: GDP per capita (current US$), NY.GDP.PCAP.CD, United Arab Emirates (World Bank)
- Individual Medical Policy for Employees, EMed, Table of Benefits (DHA Essential Benefits Plan), 2024 (Insurer table of benefits for the Dubai Health Authority mandated Essential Benefits Plan (hosted on insuranceuae.com))
- Dubai Media Office: Dubai's healthcare ecosystem posts record growth in 2025 (2026-02-18), DHA statistics (Government of Dubai Media Office (reporting Dubai Health Authority statistics))
- Align Technology Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1: Q3 2026 earnings press release (filed 2026-10-28) (Align Technology, Inc. (via SEC EDGAR))
- Dubai Media Office: Dubai sees more than 11 percent year-on-year growth in number of health facilities in Q1 2023 (2023-05-31), DHA statistics (Government of Dubai Media Office (reporting Dubai Health Authority statistics))
- World Bank WDI: Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL) (World Bank (UN Population Division, national statistics offices and others))
Source registry for United Arab Emirates
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