Dental care in India has often taken a backseat in the larger conversation around health. Many people still visit a dentist only when the pain becomes unbearable or the issue is too serious to ignore. For a long time, the dental sector remained unorganised and lacked modern technology. But things are slowly changing. With growing awareness, better treatment options, and a rising focus on appearance and oral hygiene, dental health is beginning to receive the attention it deserves. What was once overlooked is now becoming a part of everyday health planning.
Let’s explore India’s dental care industry — its growth, challenges, and future outlook.
Current State of India’s Dental Care Industry
According to Avendus, India’s dental care market is projected to grow at a 14% CAGR between 2024 and 2028, reaching Rs 68,000 crore. The orthodontics segment alone may touch Rs 14,000 crore. Globally, the dental care market is expanding rapidly and is expected to surpass $850 billion by 2028.
India’s per capita expenditure on dental health still lags far behind countries like the US, UK, and China.
Despite having one of the highest instances of dental diseases — particularly cavities and gum issues — India has one of the lowest dentist densities, with only 2 dentists per 10,000 people. This is less than one-third of what countries like Canada (6.6) and the USA (6.3) have. The gap is even wider in rural and underserved regions, where access to dental care is severely limited.
India’s eastern and central states remain significantly underpenetrated in terms of dentist availability.
More than 60% of India’s population suffers from dental issues, yet less than 4.5% visit a dentist. Moreover, only 47% of treatments are administered by licensed professionals. Notably, the southern states account for nearly 45% of the country’s dental workforce.
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Growth Drivers of the Indian Dental Market
India’s dental industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by several key factors:
High Dental Problems and Under-Penetration: Conditions like cavities, gum disease, and misaligned teeth are common, yet dental care remains limited in many regions due to low awareness and a shortage of dentists.
Growing Awareness: More people are taking oral health seriously and opting for treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, and braces to enhance their smiles.
Technological Advancements: Tools such as clear aligners and high-quality crowns are becoming more widespread, offering better outcomes and greater comfort.
Rising Disposable Income: With higher disposable incomes, more Indians can now afford both preventive and cosmetic dental treatments.
Dental Tourism: Patients from the US, UK, and the Middle East often travel to India for affordable yet quality dental procedures.
Manufacturing Hub: India is ramping up production and exports of dental products to markets such as the US, UK, and Europe — boosting domestic industry growth.
Increasing Foreign Investment: Global dental companies are eyeing India as a promising market and are actively setting up operations.
Challenges in India’s Dental Care Industry
Despite the promising growth, several challenges persist:
Lack of Awareness: Many people only seek dental care when pain or swelling becomes severe, making treatment more complex and less effective.
Limited Insurance Coverage: Unlike in countries like Germany, where dental check-ups are typically insured, most Indians pay out of pocket, making even relatively affordable treatments feel expensive.
Focus on Treatment Over Prevention: Preventive measures such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are often neglected, leading to severe issues that require costly interventions.
Uneven Distribution of Dental Professionals: There is a critical shortage of dentists in rural India. With a low dentist-to-population ratio, large sections of the population lack access to basic dental care.
Fragmented Market: Although India bears a high burden of oral disease, the dental sector remains largely unorganised, with organised players holding just a small share of the market.
Limited Public Healthcare Role: Government hospitals and health schemes offer minimal support for dental care. In rural and semi-urban areas, affordable options are few and far between.
Perceived High Cost of Treatment: Despite being among the cheapest globally, dental care in India feels expensive due to the nature of procedures and the lack of insurance coverage.
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What’s Next?
The global dental care services market is projected to reach $840 billion by 2030. By comparison, India’s market is still in its early stages but is on track to grow rapidly, hitting $10 billion by 2030. The country’s dental consumables segment, including products like crowns and fillings, is expected to grow at a strong 14.5% CAGR from FY23 to FY30.
Orthodontics is another high-growth segment. Globally, this market is projected to grow at 13.5% annually, while India’s orthodontics market may grow even faster, at 16.5% per year. Likewise, the global clear aligner market is growing at 15% annually. With low current usage in India, the potential for growth in aligners is enormous.
As more Indians embrace dental treatments, spending on oral healthcare is set to rise sharply, fueling the growth of both listed and private sector players in the industry.
*The companies mentioned in the article are for information purposes only. This is not an investment advice.
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