Dental Services in Australia - Industry Research Report

Musical chairs: Dentists brace for intensifying competition as enterprise numbers rise

Australia's ageing and growing population has supported the Dental Services industry over the past decade. In contrast with other health services, the industry is predominantly privately funded. While most individuals pay for dental check-ups and procedures with their own income, some use private health insurance extras cover to subsidise the cost. Patients with private health coverage tend to be more willing to visit their dentist regularly and undergo expensive procedures. In 2021-22, private health insurance companies paid $2.9 billion in dental benefits for 44.8 million out-of-hospital dental services. A marginal gain in private health insurance membership numbers has supported demand growth. However, weak growth in household disposable incomes has constrained demand, with many Australians opting to defer dental work because of the cost.

The industry includes registered general and specialist dental practitioners. The industry also includes dental clinics in which multiple dentists associate to provide dental services and dental hospitals that only provide outpatient services.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.