Dental Instruments In Norway
Written by the Equate Instruments Technical Team · Published ·
Equate Instruments supplies dental hand instruments directly to clinics, dental groups and distributors in Norway, with a Regional Executive for Nordics & Scandinavia. In 2019, Norway had 4,703 dentists, or 8.7 per 10,000 people (WHO Oral Health Country Profile, National Health Workforce Accounts).
Key points
- Medical devices in Norway are overseen by Norwegian Medical Products Agency (DMP).
- Equate sells direct to Norway, with a named Regional Executive for Nordics & Scandinavia.
Dentists in Norway at a glance
- Practising dentists: 4,450 (2014) to 4,878 (2024)
- +9.6% since 2014
- Practising dentists: 4,450 (2014) to 4,878 (2024)
- Eurostat (dataset hlth_rs_prs2, Health personnel), 2024
- In 2019, Norway had 4,703 dentists, or 8.7 per 10,000 people (WHO Oral Health Country Profile, National Health Workforce Accounts).
- 8.7
- In 2019, Norway had 4,703 dentists, or 8.7 per 10,000 people (WHO Oral Health Country Profile, National Health Workforce Accounts).
- World Health Organization, 2019
- dental schools listed
- 3
- dental schools listed
- Equate research
- Untreated caries, age 5+35.1%
- Severe periodontal disease, 15+25%
- No natural teeth, 20+11%
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 Norway?
The number of practising dentists in Norway rose 9.6%, from 4,450 in 2014 to 4,878 in 2024 (Eurostat (dataset hlth_rs_prs2, Health personnel)).
See how Norway compares with Equate's other markets in dentists per 10,000 people across 21 countries.
What is the state of oral health in Norway?
In 2019, an estimated 35.1% of people aged 5 and over in Norway had untreated caries of permanent teeth (WHO Oral Health Country Profile).
In 2019, an estimated 36.1% of children aged 1 to 9 in Norway had untreated caries of deciduous teeth (WHO Oral Health Country Profile).
In 2019, an estimated 25.0% of people aged 15 and over in Norway had severe periodontal disease (WHO Oral Health Country Profile).
In 2019, an estimated 11.0% of people aged 20 and over in Norway had lost all their natural teeth (WHO Oral Health Country Profile).
In 2020, the age-standardised incidence of lip and oral cavity cancer in Norway was 3.5 per 100,000 people (WHO Oral Health Country Profile).
How are dental instruments regulated in Norway?
The Norwegian Medical Products Agency (DMP) is the competent authority for medical devices in Norway and oversees economic operators and notified bodies (DMP).
Norway applies the EU medical device rules, mainly Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR), through the EEA Agreement, implemented by the Act of 7 May 2020 no. 37 (Norwegian Medical Products Agency).
Reprocessing of single-use medical devices is not permitted in Norway (Norwegian Medical Products Agency).
In Norway, medical devices do not need national approval before marketing; CE-marked devices can circulate freely in the EEA (Norwegian Medical Products Agency).
The authority responsible for medical devices in Norway is Norwegian Medical Products Agency (DMP).
Most-searched Equate instruments for Norway
All products
extraction forceps
Children's Extraction Forceps - Upper Incisors 10cm (Fig. 137)
EI-0609
extraction forceps
Extracting Forceps Fig.86 Lower Molars Cow-Horn Beak
EI-0651
hand scalers
M23 Sickle Scaler - Sharpen-Free
EI-0250
hand scalers
H6-H7 Anterior Sickle Scaler
EI-0251
dental elevators and luxators
Molt Periosteal Elevator 4mm/4mm 18.5cm Hollow Handle
EI-2293
dental elevators and luxators
Buser Periosteal Elevator 18 cm - Anatomical Hollow Handle 10 mm
EI-2687
periodontal probes
UNC Periodontal Probe CP 15 - Hollow Handle
EI-0040
periodontal probes
Periodontal Probe CP12/#23 - Solid Knurled Handle
EI-0081
What are the rules for cleaning and sterilising dental instruments in Norway?
In 2018, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) published professional recommendations for infection control in clinical dental practice, which apply to all public and private providers in the dental health service (FHI).
Norway's 2018 dental infection-control recommendations were developed by FHI with the dental faculties in Bergen, Oslo and Tromsø, the Norwegian Dental Association and the Directorate of Health (FHI).
Where can you study dentistry in Norway?
Norway has 3 dental schools listed here, in Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø.
In Norway, the Master in Dentistry at the University of Oslo is a five-year, 300-ECTS programme that leads to authorisation as a dentist (University of Oslo).
| School | City | Founded | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oslo, Faculty of Dentistry | Oslo | Master in Dentistry | |
| University of Bergen, Department of Clinical Dentistry | Bergen | Master of Dentistry | |
| UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Clinical Dentistry | Tromsø | Master's in Dentistry |
Which organisations represent dentists in Norway?
- Norwegian Dental Association (Den norske tannlegeforening) (association)
- Norwegian Medical Products Agency (DMP) (regulator)
What do dentists in Norway search for?
Search data for Norway 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 Norway?
Dentists in Norway 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 Norway?
- WHO Oral Health Country Profile (World Health Organization, 2022): In 2019, an estimated 35.1% of people aged 5 and over in Norway had untreated caries of permanent teeth (WHO Oral Health Country Profile).
How is dental care organised and paid for in Norway?
In Norway, all dental treatment for children aged 0 to 18 is free of charge, with the exception of braces (Helsenorge).
In Norway, people who turn 19 to 28 in the year of treatment pay 25% of the cost at the Public Dental Health Service, with the public sector covering 75% (Helsenorge).
Most adults in Norway pay for dental treatment themselves, although the National Insurance scheme covers part of the cost through Helfo in certain conditions (Helsenorge).
In Norway, people living in institutions or receiving home nursing care for more than three months receive free treatment from the Public Dental Health Service (Helsenorge).
Which dental instruments does Equate supply to Norway?
Equate's instrument guides for Norway 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 Norway work with Equate?
- Direct from the manufacturer: practices in Norway order 3,375 instrument references without a distributor mark-up in between.
- Built to one specification across the range: passivated stainless steel, ultrasonically cleaned, shape-, boil- and performance-tested and individually packed.
- A named Regional Executive for Nordics & Scandinavia handles quotes, samples and volume pricing for public dental services and private clinics and university clinics in Norway.
- Clinics in Norway can request samples and a quote before committing to a full order.
Social listening
What dental professionals and students across Nordics & Scandinavia discuss online
Workload and practice pressure
CriticalAssistants describe tightly packed schedules, with constant restocking and fetching of instruments and little time for breaks. Dentists contrast public care, which is more stressful and lower paid, with owner-run private practice, which brings more control and higher earnings.
- Hammashoitajan työ on syvältä· Suomi24, 2022
- Tandläkare svarar på frågor om yrket· Flashback Forum, 2019
Public trust in instrument sterilisation
CriticalIn Finnish and Swedish public forums, people ask how they can tell whether a clinic's instruments are really clean. Regulator cases where rusty or badly sterilised instruments were found, or an autoclave ran too cool, are discussed with alarm. Some posters say inspections catch these problems.
- Hammaslääkärin työkalut· Suomi24, 2005
- Tandläkarklinik använde rostiga verktyg.· Flashback Forum, 2019
- Hammaslääkäri menetti lupansa, kuka?· Suomi24, 2010
Who reprocesses instruments, and with what training
MixedIn private practice, dental assistants usually run the washer-disinfector and autoclave and oil the handpieces as part of their wider job. Some posters argue that this staff gets only a few weeks of reprocessing training. They also claim that single-use items are sometimes reprocessed to save money, and other posters dispute this.
- Hammashoitaja· Suomi24, 2007
- Välinehuoltajilla EI ammattinimikesuojaa!· Suomi24, 2016
Equate's summary of public threads on Flashback Forum, Suomi24, 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
Norway in Equate's market data
Norway ranks 2 of 22 in the Equate Dental Market Index 2026, with a score of 92.2 out of 100. See the full index
“they must bring in professionals and the union early in the process”
Your Regional Executive · Nordics & Scandinavia
Hassan Nazir
Regional Executive, Helsinki, Finland
Frequently asked questions
Is dental care free for children in Norway?
Yes. Helsenorge states that all treatment for children aged 0 to 18 is free of charge, except braces.
What do young adults pay for dental care in Norway?
People who turn 19 to 28 in the year of treatment pay 25% of the cost at the Public Dental Health Service. The public sector covers the other 75%.
Where can you study dentistry in Norway?
Dentistry is taught at the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen and UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. The Oslo programme takes five years (300 ECTS).
How many dentists are there in Norway?
WHO data show Norway had 4,703 dentists in 2019, or 8.7 per 10,000 people.
Who regulates medical devices in Norway?
The Norwegian Medical Products Agency (DMP) is the competent authority for medical devices in Norway. It oversees economic operators and notified bodies.
References
I am a… in Norway
