The global dental equipment market size was valued at USD 12.40 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 45.36 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 15.5% during the forecast period (2023–2031). Dental practitioners commonly recommend safe and efficacious teeth whitening products to consumers. Hence, they can assist in promoting these items by elucidating the content of those products to their patients. These factors contribute to the expansion of the market.
Gadgets and instruments dentists use to diagnose, prevent, and cure dental diseases are called dental equipment. Dentistry equipment is a vital component of the dentistry business, with many types of gadgets and tools used in dental clinics and hospitals worldwide. Dental equipment applications in the global market include detecting and treating dental illnesses such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. Preventive measures, like teeth cleaning and fluoride treatments, as well as aesthetic operations, such as teeth whitening or orthodontic therapy, are also performed with dental equipment.
Some of the most frequently carried out dental procedures are dental fillings, bonding, root canal treatments, dental crowns and bridges, periodontal treatments, and oral and maxillofacial procedures. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental caries affects 84.9% of children aged 2 to 17, 64.0% of adults aged 18 to 64, and 65.6% of seniors aged 65 and more. In addition, demand for dental equipment is anticipated to be driven by an increase in the frequency of these treatments throughout the projected period. As per the FDI World Dental Federation, oral illnesses afflict 3.9 billion people worldwide, with untreated tooth decay (dental caries) affecting over half of the world's population (44%), making it the most frequent of the 291 ailments in the Global Burden of Disease Study.
Furthermore, the American Dental Association reports that 58% of Americans saw a dentist at least once a year, with 15% of those visits being prompted by oral pain. According to the same survey, 85% of Americans place a high importance on dental health and see oral health as a crucial component of overall care. However, the average number of dentist consultations per inhabitant in Europe is significantly lower than the average number of consultations by medical doctors. According to a survey conducted by Colgate, 25% of Europeans only see the dentist when they have a problem with their teeth. All the above factors lead to high demand for dental procedures, boosting market growth.
Marketing plays a key part in product development by providing relevant information, enhancing product positioning decisions, and contributing to the overall expansion of the business or industry. Moreover, the process also provides the link between consumers and products, thereby satisfying the needs of consumers. Different marketing activities help add value to the products being sold, stimulating the effectiveness of intermediaries and consumer purchases. Market players must understand the end-user segments to cater to, along with their needs and requirements.
With the increasing financial burden of developing new products and gaining regulatory approval, suppliers are introducing creative marketing techniques to drive the changes in the product mix. Various advertising and marketing strategies focus on trademarks, brands, and features of the products. Several dental professionals prescribe safe and effective teeth whitening products to consumers. Therefore, they can help market such products since they can explain the composition of these products to their patients. Such factors drive market growth.
The Affordable Care Act enforces a supplementary excise tax of 2.3% on imports and producers of specific medical items, such as dental equipment and implants. In the U.S., few dental procedures, such as root canal treatment and teeth whitening, are eligible for reimbursement, and other procedures are managed out of pocket. Unless a dental device is bought over the counter, all items found in the clinic are taxable.
All items, including the handheld mirror and the digital radiography system, are taxable. This statute does not have a direct effect on dentists, but it does have an impact on dental equipment producers, resulting in higher costs for equipment. This increase directly affects the customers, i.e., patients, thus impacting treatment costs and affordability. Moreover, owing to the increase in treatment costs and lack of comprehensive Mediclaim coverage, most patients neglect or delay treatment, which is expected to restrain the market growth.
The increasing dental tourism can primarily be attributed to the high cost of treatment in regions such as North America and Europe. High treatment costs in these regions are associated with dentist consultation charges, x-rays, scans, and other tests. The high cost of consumables is also a factor of concern. In addition, the lack of comprehensive Medicaid coverage for dental procedures and treatments results in high out-of-pocket expenditures. As per an article published by CBS News, dental treatment in countries like the U.S. has become a commodity, and the overhead costs are significantly high. Therefore, people travel to emerging economies with low treatment and consultation costs.
Furthermore, according to Indian Dental Association (IDA) estimates, dental tourism constitutes more than 14% of the medical tourism industry. Dental treatment in developing countries helps save 60% to 70% of the treatment costs. Other factors favoring India are shorter patient waiting times, easy availability of a large pool of skilled dental practitioners and high-end technology, and tourist destinations and quality accommodations. Moreover, visa on arrival is available for tourists from more than 40 countries, making India a go-to destination. Similarly, Hungary has emerged as a top destination in Europe. As per the International Medical Travel Journal, the Hungarian dental tourism sector receives 60,000 to 70,000 dental tourists annually. Hence, growing medical tourism is expected to drive demand for dental equipment in these regions.
| Study Period | 2019-2031 | CAGR | 15.5% |
| Historical Period | 2019-2021 | Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
| Base Year | 2022 | Base Year Market Size | USD 12.40 billion |
| Forecast Year | 2031 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 45.36 billion |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
North America is the most significant global dental equipment market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.7% over the forecast period. The prominent drivers of the market include technological advancements in advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, such as dental lasers, that are associated with minimal pain and blood loss, more precise diagnosis, and reduced chair time. In addition, increasing dental care services coupled with a growing number of dental clinics and practitioners is fueling the growth of the dental equipment market. One of the main drivers of the market's growth throughout the projected period is the rise in the number of adults, particularly older ones, seeking routine dental treatment.
Moreover, an increasing number of collaborations between research organizations and other healthcare providers is anticipated to propel market growth in the coming years. The larger share of this region can be attributed to the increasing government funding concerning the formation of legislation and grants and rising awareness about dental equipment. These factors are expected to boost the usage of dental equipment further over the forecast period.
Europe is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 14.8% over the forecast period. These are among the most advanced types of dental equipment for orthodontic applications for important reasons, including dentists' growing acceptance of cutting-edge treatment choices like dental membrane and bone graft materials and tissue regeneration. The dental equipment market of this region is expected to grow owing to the high prevalence of oral cancer due to unhealthy habits such as alcohol consumption.
Furthermore, favorable government initiatives undertaken by the European Union to fund researchers for developing innovative dental technologies, such as laser treatment for oral cancer, to minimize complications of complex surgeries are fueling the market growth. Moreover, the rapid adoption of advanced technology for dental procedures that are cost-effective, time-saving, and have fewer health risks, and the presence of a large pool of key players in the region is expected to propel the market growth.
Asia-Pacific countries are also popular for their low cost of treatment and surgeries, thus making them a preferred market for medical tourism. Growing market penetration of dental cosmetic implants is a significant factor propelling the market growth. Similarly, introducing novel technologies, such as advanced dental anesthesia solutions that include intraligamentary injection anesthesia systems, to minimize complications in dental procedures is predicted to propel market growth. Moreover, the increasing geriatric people, coupled with the fact that susceptibility toward dental disorders increases with age, is expected to boost the usage rate of dental equipment over the forecast period. People's increased knowledge of dental care and the rising acceptance of new technology are projected to boost market growth.
The Latin American market is growing lucratively due to the epidemiological shift and the increase in the dental disease burden. Latin America is also witnessing a rise in geriatric population due to decreasing morbidity in the region. Moreover, the rising presence of international players and clinical advancements drive market growth. Factors such as poor reimbursement policies and relatively weak healthcare infrastructure in some countries are expected to restrain market growth.
In the Middle East and Africa, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have highly developed healthcare infrastructure and high accessibility to healthcare services. These countries have adopted advanced medical systems for diagnosis and treatment, making them a hotspot for medical tourism. Factors like the growing geriatric population and rising prevalence of dental ailments are likely to propel the market growth in the region. However, lack of infrastructure, improper reimbursement policies, limited availability of skilled professionals, and slower adoption rates of advanced technologies in countries such as South Africa may impede the overall market growth in the Middle East and Africa region.
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The market is bifurcated into dental radiology equipment, dental lasers, systems and parts, laboratory machines, hygiene maintenance devices, and other equipment. The dental systems and parts segment dominates the global market and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 18.7% over the forecast period. The dental systems and parts market comprises all the supporting equipment required for dental procedures. This market is broadly segmented into instrument delivery systems, vacuum and compressors, cone beam-CT systems, cast systems, furnaces, electrosurgical equipment, and CAD/ CAM equipment. This growth can be attributed to their high requirement to carry out any and every dental procedure.
In addition, the performance and functioning of these systems and parts are key factors for successful dental treatment. Technological advancements are a major driver for this segment, and key players are focused on extensive R&D activities to provide practitioner-friendly and efficient equipment, which is expected to drive growth.
