The market for dentists and dental practices - Spain (2025)

1.2 the global market

The global market for dentistry services is expected to grow at a sustained rate of *.*% per year, from $***.** billion in **** to $***.** billion in ****. This expansion is expected to be driven byrising demand for specialized dental care, technological advances (***) and an aging population. In ****, it is expected to reach ***.** billion, continuing to grow to ***.** billion in ****. Therise of medical tourism andimproved access to care should also play a key role in this dynamic

Development of the global market for dental services Spain, ****-****, $ billion Source: ****

in ****, general dentistry services accounted for **% of thesector's worldwide sales, or $***.** billion. The following chart shows that other services include facial surgery, orthodontics, endodontics, etc.

General dentistry segment of the global dental services market World, ****, % (***) Source: ****

1.3 the domestic market

To calculate the gross income generated by dentists, we used the following resources:

Average gross income for dentists, ranging from **,*** to **,*** euros gross per year in ****[***] The proportion of dentists in Spain is known, and is detailed in part *.* of this study.

We have therefore multiplied the average income generated by dentists in **** - assuming it applies to all other years - by the number of dentists in practice for each year. This gives us the following estimates:

Estimated gross revenues for dentists Spain, ****-****, € billion Source: ****

Forecast value of gross revenues for dentists Spain, ****-****, € billion Source: ****

1.4 Impact of covid 19

By ****, the Covid-** crisis had not led to any major change in the perception of oral health in Spain for a majority of people. Indeed, **% of Spaniards said they were as concerned about their dental health as before the pandemic.

However, **% of respondents said they were more concerned about their oral health than before the pandemic, which may reflect an increased awareness of health and preventive issues.

conversely, only *% of Spaniards said they were less concerned about their oral health than before the pandemic. These figures indicate a general stability in habits and attention to dental health, with a slight increase in vigilance for part of the population.

Are you more concerned about your oral health since the covid ** crisis? Spain, ****, % Source: ****

In ****, the vast majority of Spaniards (***) declared that their dental problems had neither appeared nor worsened during the pandemic. mia, suggesting a general stability in their oral health despite the restrictions and health impacts of the crisis.

However, **% of respondents stated that their dental problems had either appeared or worsened during this period. This proportion, although a minority, reflects the possible consequences of confinement, limited access to dental care or increased stress (***).

These results show that, while the pandemic ...

1.5 Spanish healthcare system

In Spain, dental treatment is mainly financed in several ways, as dental care is not fully covered by the public health system. Here are the main options:

*. Public health insurance (***): limited coverage

The Spanish public health system mainly covers basic dental care, such as extractions and emergency treatment, but does not cover specialized treatments (***). Children are sometimes better covered, depending on the region.

*. Private dental insurance

Many Spaniards take out private dental insurance to reduce the cost of treatment. Companies such as Sanitas, Adeslas, DKV or Mapfre offer coverage with reduced rates on treatments. These policies generally cost between €* and €** per month, depending on the level of coverage.

*. Financing and payment facilities

Private dental clinics often offer financing plans to pay for treatments in several monthly instalments, sometimes interest-free. Some also offer discounts for cash payments.

*. Company health insurance

Some companies offer their employees a health insurance plan that includes dental care, giving access to reduced rates or partial reimbursements on certain treatments.

*. Regional programs and social assistance

Some Autonomous Communities (***), offering free or subsidized dental care.

Care covered by social security :

For children up to the age of ** (***), the procedures covered include regular dental check-ups, ...

2.1 Dental hygiene in Spain

In ****, among Spaniards reporting a dental problem, the most frequently reported concerns were tooth sensitivity (***) were also a common problem, highlighting issues related to periodontal disease.

Other conditions included the need for an implant (***) were also significant problems.

Problems directly affecting the jaw, such as pain on opening or closing the mouth (***) were present at lower rates.

These figures highlight the importance of preventive care and oral hygiene to avoid more serious complications requiring corrective interventions.

Spanish population with a dental problem Spain, ****, % of population Source: ****

In ****, **% of Spaniards reported having at least one dental problem, compared with **% who had none.

Men and women were almost equally affected, with **% of men and **% of women reporting dental problems, showing a high prevalence in the population as a whole. The incidence of dental problems also varied according to age: **% of **-** year-olds reported at least one problem, a figure that dropped slightly to **% for **-** year-olds and **% for those aged ** and over. This trend suggests that young adults are most concerned by dental problems, probably linked to pathologies such as caries or bruxism, while older people may benefit from more regular follow-up or have already undergone corrective interventions.

Dental problems by age and ...

2.2 Use of otology services in the adult population

In ****, the proportion of the population visiting a dentist in Spain varied by gender and age. **% of men reported a visit to the dentist versus **% of women, suggesting a slight difference in dental care behavior. Looking at age groups, visits were most frequent in the **-** age group (***). These data indicate a particular attention to oral health among middle-aged adults, while young adults and seniors showed a slightly lower consultation rate.

Population consulting a dentist in ****, by gender and age Spain, ****, % Source: ****

In ****, the majority of dental consultations in Spain took place in clinics or with independent dentists (***), confirming the predominance of the private sector in dental care provision. Clinics affiliated to insurance companies were chosen by **% of patients, while corporate structures accounted for only *% of consultations. Social security dentists were a minority option, with only *% of patients having used them. Finally, *% of respondents did not know what type of structure they had consulted. These figures underline a clear preference for the private sector when it comes to dental care in Spain.

Type of clinic visited Spain, ****, % of total Source: ****

In Spain, the vast majority of dental patients placed quality of service above price. Indeed, **% strongly favored quality of care, while ...

2.3 Use of otology services in the infant population

In ****, in Spain, half of minors (***) did not. This even split highlights the importance of strengthening oral hygiene education to improve brushing habits among young people and prevent long-term dental problems.

Minors who brush their teeth properly Spain, ****, % Source: ****

In ****, the frequency of toothbrush use among children in Spain varied by age. at age *, **.*% of children brushed at least twice a day, dropping slightly to **.*% at age *, before gradually increasing to **.*% at age * and **% at age *. Those who brushedonly once a day accounted for a significant proportion, dropping from **.*% at age * to **.*% at age *, showing a trend towards better hygiene with age. Occasional use of a toothbrush concerned between *.*% and **.*% of children, while the proportion who didn 't brush at all remained marginal, between *.*% and *.*% depending on age. These figures reflect a positive trend in brushing habits as children grow.

Frequency of toothbrush use among children Spain, ****, % Source: ****

In ****, the prevalence of dental caries among children in Spain varied according to age. at age *, **.*% of children were caries-free, but this proportion fell sharply with age, to **.*% at age *, **% at age * and only *.*% at age *. At the same time, a significant proportion of children had been seen by a dentist without any ...

2.4 Spaniards' perception of oral health

Between **** and ****, Spaniards' perception of their oral health status changed slightly. The proportion of people considering themselves to have "very good" oral health increased from **% in **** to **% in ****, while those considering themselves to be in "good" dental health rose from **% to **%.

In contrast, the proportion of respondents rating their oral health as "normal" decreased from **% in **** to **% in ****, suggesting an improvement in the general perception of dental health.

Negative assessments have remained relatively stable, with *% of respondents considering their condition "poor" in **** versus *% in ****, and *% declaring "very poor" oral health over both periods. These trends show a slight improvement in the perception of dental health in Spain between **** and ****.

How would you define your state of oral health Spain, ****-****, % (***) Source: ****

Between **** and ****, the frequency of dental, gum or denture problems in Spain has changed significantly. The proportions of people reporting having encountered these problems "very often" (***) remained stable over the period.

On the other hand, the proportion of people who have had dental problems "occasionally" has risen from **% in **** to **% in ****, reflecting a slight increase in moderate dental problems. The most marked changes concern the categories reporting problems "almost never" and "never". The proportion of those claiming to almost never ...

3.1 Training and type of dentist

Training to become a dentist:

In Spain, to become a dental surgeon (***), you need to complete a Grado en Odontología, a *-year university course. This program is offered at a number of public and private universities.

Structure of studies

Duration: * years Content: basic sciences (***), prosthetics and aesthetic treatments, management of a dental clinic, internships with patients in the early years.

Admission and access

Public university : Selection based on Bachillerato + EBAU grade, generally above **/**. Private university: Admission via an entrance test specific to each university + possible interview. More flexible access, but high fees.

Practice and internships

Public university: Limited access to patients due to high demand. Private university : Modern infrastructure and easier access to real patients thanks to university clinics.

Career opportunities

After graduation, a dentist may work in a private clinic, public hospital, research and teaching, or dental management. Specializations are available in orthodontics, implantology, periodontics, etc.

Source: ****

The different types of dentistry and their associated treatments:

Odontology is a medical discipline encompassing several specialties dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the mouth, teeth and oral tissues. Each type of odontologist plays a specific role and offers treatments tailored to patients' needs.

General dentist

The general ...

3.2 Market magnitudes

Between **** and ****, the number of dentists affiliated to the Order of Dentists in Spain rose from **,*** to **,***, recording an increase of **.*% over the period. Annual trends show continuous growth: +*.*% in ****, +*.*% in ****, +*.*% in ****, +*.*% in ****, +*.*% in ****, +*.*% in ****, +*.*% in ****, +*.*% in **** and +*.*% in ****. This sustained growth reflects a positive dynamic in the sector, with a steady increase in the number of professionals practicing in Spain.

Number of affiliated dentists Spain, ****-****, thousands of dentists Source: ****

By ****, women will constitute the majority of dentists, accounting for **.*% of the profession.

Breakdown of dentists by gender Spain, ****, % of dentists Source: ****

In ****, the distribution of dentists in Spain showed a strong presence of young professionals. **.*% were under ** and **.*% in the **-** age bracket, together accounting for more than half the profession(***). The proportion decreased with age: **.*% of dentists were aged between ** and **, while **.*% were aged between ** and **. Dentists close to retirement, aged between ** and **, made up *.*% of the total, and those aged ** and over accounted for *.*%.

Age distribution of dentists Spain, ****, % Source: ****

The number of dentists affiliated to the Order of Dentists in Spain is expected to grow moderately between **** and ****. Estimates put the figure at between **,*** and **,*** in ****, rising steadily to between **,*** and **,*** in ****. This growth would reflect ...

3.3 Distribution of the number of practitioners

In ****, the density of dentists per ***,*** inhabitants in Spain varied significantly by autonomous community. The Comunidad de Madrid had the highest concentration, with *** dentists per ***,*** inhabitants, followed by País Vasco (***), underlining the denser supply of dental care in these regions. conversely, the communities with the lowest density of dentists were Castilla-La Mancha (***). These disparities reflect significant regional disparities in access to dental care in Spain, with supply clearly more concentrated in certain large urban areas such as Madrid.

In ****, the ratio of dentists to population in Spain varied widely between autonomous communities. The Comunidad de Madrid had the best access to dental care, with a ratio of *** dentists per inhabitant, followed by the Principado de Asturias (***), indicating a higher concentration of professionals in relation to the population.

conversely, the regions with the most limited access to dentists were Castilla-La Mancha (***). These regional disparities reveal an inequality in the distribution of dentists in Spain, with a denser supply in major urban areas such as Madrid, and a smaller supply in certain outlying and less populated areas.

In ****, the distribution of dentists by province in Spain showed marked disparities. Madrid had by far the largest number of dentists, with *,*** practitioners, followed by ...

3.4 Brain drain

In recent years, Spain has been facing a critical situation in the dentistry sector, marked by an overproduction of dentists and a lack of planning in the opening of new faculties. Despite a saturated market, the number of graduates continues to rise, with worrying consequences such as underemployment and the mass emigration of young practitioners. The figures illustrate this talent drain: between *,*** and *,*** new graduates leave Spanish universities every year, but only around *** register with the Order of Dentists in Spain, suggesting that many choose to move abroad. What's more, the proportion of graduates joining the Order is falling sharply, from **.*% in **** to just **% in ****. This trend points to a growing imbalance between supply and demand on the job market, driving many young dentists to seek opportunities abroad, particularly in other European countries. Without stricter regulation of access to dentistry studies and better management of career opportunities, Spain risks training specialists for other healthcare systems, while at the same time weakening its own dental sector.

Number of practitioners associated with the dental association relative to the number of new graduates Spain, ****-****, number, % Source: ****

4.1 Dental care typology

The table opposite shows the main medical procedures performed by dentists:

Source: ****

4.2 Prices

The following graph shows the average price of some services provided by dentists: 

Prix des prestations exercées par les dentistes Espagne, ****, € Source: ****

The table opposite shows the prices for dental services at clinics associated with Sanitas, an insurance company that provides dental services:

Source: ****

4.3 Supply trends

Supply trends in the Spanish dentistry sector :

Growth in cosmetic dentistry: Strong demand for aesthetic treatments (***), stimulated by the growing importance of appearance. Development of digital dentistry: Integration of *D technology and artificial intelligence, enabling more accurate diagnoses, faster production of dental devices and optimized care. Expansion of teleodontology: Increasing use of remote consultations, facilitatingaccess to care for patients who are far away, have reduced mobility or are looking for a more flexible follow-up. Clinics' environmental commitment: Adoption of recyclable materials, waste reduction and improvedenergy efficiency, in response to patients' expectations for more sustainable care. Growth of dental chains: Expansion of dental groups at the expense of independent clinics, thanks to economies of scale, better process optimization and lower treatment costs.

These developments are transforming the Spanish dental sector, making it more technological, accessible and competitive.

Source: ****

5.1 Legislation

La Ley **/****, de ** de noviembre, de ordenación de las profesiones sanitarias establishes the legal framework governing the health professions, including dentists. Here are the main points relating to dentists in this text:

*. Recognition and practice of the dental profession

The dental profession is recognized as a licensed health profession. Only holders of a diploma in Odontology or doctors specializing in Stomatology may practice this profession. The practice of the profession is governed by strict ethical and professional standards, in line with the general regulations governing the health professions.

*. Dentists' skills and responsibilities

Dentists are responsible for

The diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of oral diseases and disorders. Prevent dental and oral pathologies. Prescribe medical and surgical treatments in their field of expertise. Use techniques and technologies specific to dentistry.

*. Regulation and supervision

Dentists must be registered with the Official College of Dentists in Spain in order to practice legally. They are subject to the regulations of the Ministry of Health and the directives of the autonomous health authorities. The law establishes mechanisms for professional control and discipline, guaranteeing quality of care and patient protection.

*. Training and specialization

Dentists must have an official university degree in dentistry. They ...

6.1 Segmentation

• Comercial Bti Institute España Sl
• Smile2impress S.l.
• Apollonia Topco Sl.
• Clinicas Vivanta Slu
• Donte Group Sl.
• Sanitas