Dental Instruments In Saudi Arabia
Written by the Equate Instruments Technical Team · Published ·
Dentists and distributors in Saudi Arabia can buy Equate dental instruments directly from the manufacturer, through the Regional Executive for GCC. In 2018, Saudi Arabia had 16,752 dentists, or 5.0 per 10,000 people (WHO).
Key points
- Medical devices in Saudi Arabia are overseen by Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
- Equate sells direct to Saudi Arabia, with a named Regional Executive for GCC.
Dentists in Saudi Arabia at a glance
- Dentists (all sectors, Saudi and non-Saudi): 25,970 (2023) to 33,751 (2024)
- +30% since 2023
- Dentists (all sectors, Saudi and non-Saudi): 25,970 (2023) to 33,751 (2024)
- General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Healthcare Establishments and Workforce Statistics, 2024
- In 2018, Saudi Arabia had 16,752 dentists, or 5.0 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- 16,752
- In 2018, Saudi Arabia had 16,752 dentists, or 5.0 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- World Health Organization (Oral Health Country Profile 2022), 2018
- WHO reports 5.0 dentists per 10,000 people in Saudi Arabia for 2018.
- 5
- WHO reports 5.0 dentists per 10,000 people in Saudi Arabia for 2018.
- World Health Organization (Oral Health Country Profile 2022), 2018
- In 2024, Saudi Arabia had 33,751 dentists, of whom 19,598 were Saudi nationals (GASTAT).
- 33,751
- In 2024, Saudi Arabia had 33,751 dentists, of whom 19,598 were Saudi nationals (GASTAT).
- General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), 2024
- dental schools listed
- 2
- dental schools listed
- Equate research
- Untreated caries, age 5+38.8%
- Severe periodontal disease, 15+10.8%
- No natural teeth, 20+5%
The dark line marks the median of Equate's 22 markets. Source: WHO Oral Health Country Profiles 2022 (2019 estimates).
How many dentists are there in Saudi Arabia?
The number of dentists (all sectors, Saudi and non-Saudi) in Saudi Arabia rose 30%, from 25,970 in 2023 to 33,751 in 2024 (General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Healthcare Establishments and Workforce Statistics).
WHO reports 5.0 dentists per 10,000 people in Saudi Arabia for 2018.
In 2024, Saudi Arabia had 33,751 dentists, of whom 19,598 were Saudi nationals (GASTAT).
See how Saudi Arabia compares with Equate's other markets in dentists per 10,000 people across 21 countries.
What is the state of oral health in Saudi Arabia?
In 2019, an estimated 53.2% of children aged 1–9 in Saudi Arabia had untreated caries in their primary teeth (WHO).
In 2019, an estimated 38.8% of people aged 5 and over in Saudi Arabia had untreated caries in their permanent teeth (WHO).
In 2019, an estimated 10.8% of people aged 15 and over in Saudi Arabia had severe periodontal disease (WHO).
In 2019, an estimated 5.0% of adults aged 20 and over in Saudi Arabia had lost all their natural teeth (WHO).
Saudi Arabia recorded 452 new cases of lip and oral cavity cancer in 2020 (WHO).
How is dental care organised and paid for in Saudi Arabia?
Total spending on dental care in Saudi Arabia was estimated at US$1,252 million in 2019, or US$37 per person (WHO).
According to WHO's 2021 survey, Saudi Arabia had a national oral health policy, strategy or action plan at the operational or drafting stage.
According to WHO's 2021 survey, Saudi Arabia had implemented a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
Saudi Arabia's unified health insurance policy covers essential and preventive dentistry, including consultations, fillings, cleaning, extractions and periodontal treatment (Council of Health Insurance).
Saudi Arabia's unified policy Health Benefits Schedule lists all essential dental procedures, root canals and dental emergencies among covered benefits (Council of Health Insurance).
Most-searched Equate instruments for Saudi Arabia
All products
extraction forceps
Extracting Forceps Fig.88R Upper Molars Right - American Pattern Cowhorn
EI-1428
extraction forceps
Extracting Forceps American Pattern Fig.150 Upper Premolars, Incisors & Roots, Universal
EI-1432
hand scalers
Micro Sickle Scaler 01/02
EI-0249
hand scalers
M23 Sickle Scaler - Sharpen-Free
EI-0250
dental elevators and luxators
Freer Double-Ended Periosteal Elevator - Titanium Coated
EI-0069
dental elevators and luxators
Periosteal Molt 7/5mm 18.5cm Hollow Handle 10mm
EI-0140
periodontal probes
Probe CP-2 and Explorer #6 - Double-Ended Diagnostic Instrument
EI-0206
periodontal probes
UNC Periodontal Probe CP 15 - Hollow Handle
EI-0040
How are dental instruments regulated in Saudi Arabia?
In Saudi Arabia, a medical device may be supplied only if it is registered with the SFDA and holds a Medical Devices Marketing Authorization (MDMA).
Saudi Arabia's Medical Devices Law was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/54) dated 6/7/1442 H, with an implementing regulation issued by the SFDA board (SFDA).
The authority responsible for medical devices in Saudi Arabia is Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
What are the rules for cleaning and sterilising dental instruments in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Infection Prevention and Control (GDIPC) published the 3rd edition of its Manual of Infection Prevention and Control in Dental Settings in 2023.
The Saudi dental infection-control manual aims to reduce the risk of cross-infection in dental settings for patients and healthcare workers (GDIPC).
Where can you study dentistry in Saudi Arabia?
Dental degrees in Saudi Arabia are taught at 2 schools, based in Riyadh and Jeddah.
| School | City | Founded | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Dentistry, King Saud University | Riyadh | 1975 | |
| King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry | Jeddah | 1985 |
What are the milestones in Saudi Arabia's dental history?
- The College of Dentistry at King Saud University in Riyadh was established in 1975 (1395 AH) as Saudi Arabia's first dental college.
- King Abdulaziz University's Faculty of Dentistry in Jeddah was established in 1985 (1405 AH) (King Abdulaziz University).
- King Abdulaziz University's Faculty of Dentistry graduated its first cohort in 1992–1993 (King Abdulaziz University).
Which organisations represent dentists in Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Dental Society (association)
What do dentists in Saudi Arabia search for?
Search data for Saudi Arabia alone isn't published; these are the instrument searches across the English-language markets Equate tracks (Europe and North America), in Google Keyword Planner bands, October 2025 to September 2026.
| Instrument | Searches a month (band) | Most searched term |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Extraction Forceps | 50,350 | dental forceps |
| Dental Scalers (Hand Scalers) | 43,200 | dental scaler |
| Dental Elevators and Luxators | 40,550 | dental elevator |
| Periodontal Probes | 35,600 | dental perio probe |
| Restorative Dental Hand Instruments | 24,000 | acorn burnisher |
| Dental and Oral Surgery Retractors | 20,900 | cheek retractors |
How are teeth numbered in Saudi Arabia?
Dentists in Saudi Arabia use the FDI two-digit system set out in ISO 3950, where 11 is the upper right central incisor and 48 the lower right third molar.
What do national dental surveys show in Saudi Arabia?
- Oral Health Country Profile 2022 (World Health Organization, 2022): In 2019, an estimated 38.8% of people aged 5 and over in Saudi Arabia had untreated caries in their permanent teeth (WHO).
Which dental instruments does Equate supply to Saudi Arabia?
Equate's instrument guides for Saudi Arabia cover dental curettes, dental elevators and luxators, dental explorers, extraction forceps, mouth mirrors, surgical retractors, hand scalers, periodontal probes, restorative hand instruments, spoon excavators and tooth extraction instruments.
Why do dental practices in Saudi Arabia work with Equate?
- Buyers in Saudi Arabia deal with the manufacturer itself, choosing from 3,375 instrument references.
- Each reference is passivated stainless steel, ultrasonically cleaned, shape-, boil- and performance-tested and individually packed, whatever the pattern.
- A named Regional Executive for GCC handles quotes, samples and volume pricing for government and private hospitals and private dental centres in Saudi Arabia.
- Samples are available, so a clinic in Saudi Arabia can test an instrument before ordering in volume.
Social listening
What dental professionals and students across GCC discuss online
Licensing exams and experience requirements
CriticalDentists moving to the Gulf ask mostly about each country's own licensing exam, verification of documents and minimum years of experience. Answers are thin and dated; posters say results do not carry across countries and that exams have grown harder as localisation policies advance.
- Dentistry in Saudi Arabia, UAE· Student Doctor Network, 2004
- Dentistry in Dubai or Qatar area... anyone know?· Student Doctor Network, 2006
- KDLE(DENTIST)· Expat.com Kuwait forum, 2016
Treatment prices, insurance and over-treatment worries
MixedExpat patients compare prices between clinics and find wide gaps for the same item, choose clinics by which insurance plans they accept, and complain about being pushed towards treatment they did not need. Public dental services are seen as fine for basic care.
- Dentist prices here in Doha?· ExpatWoman Qatar forum, 2012
- dental clinic in kuwait· Expat.com Kuwait forum, 2012
Salaries, contracts and career trade-offs
MixedPosters describe salaried two-year contracts with housing benefits, pay that depends heavily on where the dentist trained, and employers wanting several years of experience. Several warn that Gulf posts are less lucrative than they look and that big-city markets are saturated.
- Dentistry in Saudi Arabia, UAE· Student Doctor Network, 2004
- Working in Saudi· Student Doctor Network, 2006
- Dentistry in Dubai or Qatar area... anyone know?· Student Doctor Network, 2006
Equate's summary of public threads on Student Doctor Network, ExpatWoman Qatar forum, Expat.com Kuwait forum, Expat.com Muscat forum, read 2026-10-27. No posters are named and brand names are left out; thread links are listed in the page's data file.
Equate data
Saudi Arabia in Equate's market data
Saudi Arabia ranks 17 of 22 in the Equate Dental Market Index 2026, with a score of 49.6 out of 100. See the full index
“We don't just graduate dentists; we shape the leaders of the profession”
“We believe in the importance of research in developing dental practices and improving oral health”
Your Regional Executive · GCC
Nader Chaudhry
Regional Executive, London, UK
Frequently asked questions
How many dentists are there in Saudi Arabia?
In 2018, Saudi Arabia had 16,752 dentists, or 5.0 per 10,000 people (WHO).
How common is tooth decay in Saudi Arabia?
In 2019, an estimated 38.8% of people aged 5 and over in Saudi Arabia had untreated caries in their permanent teeth (WHO). In 2019, an estimated 53.2% of children aged 1–9 in Saudi Arabia had untreated caries in their primary teeth (WHO).
How common is gum disease in Saudi Arabia?
In 2019, an estimated 10.8% of people aged 15 and over in Saudi Arabia had severe periodontal disease (WHO).
How much is spent on dental care in Saudi Arabia?
Total spending on dental care in Saudi Arabia was estimated at US$1,252 million in 2019, or US$37 per person (WHO).
Does Saudi Arabia have a national oral health policy?
According to WHO's 2021 survey, Saudi Arabia had a national oral health policy, strategy or action plan at the operational or drafting stage.
Who regulates dental instruments and medical devices in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) regulates medical devices. A device may be supplied in Saudi Arabia only if it is registered with the SFDA and holds a Medical Devices Marketing Authorization (MDMA).
What was Saudi Arabia's first dental college?
The College of Dentistry at King Saud University in Riyadh was established in 1975 (1395 AH) as Saudi Arabia's first dental college.
How many dentists were there in Saudi Arabia in 2024?
In 2024, Saudi Arabia had 33,751 dentists, of whom 19,598 were Saudi nationals (GASTAT).
References
- General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Healthcare Establishments and Workforce Statistics (2024)
- World Health Organization (Oral Health Country Profile 2022) (2018)
- Council of Health Insurance (CHI) (2026)
- Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) (2021)
- Ministry of Health – GDIPC (2023) · jed-s3.bluvalt.com
- King Saud University College of Dentistry (1975)
- King Abdulaziz University (1985)
I am a… in Saudi Arabia
