A new analysis has identified potential to strengthen competition in the Danish dental industry. The findings, presented in the report “Competitive Conditions, Ownership and Pricing in Adult Dental Care,” suggest that enhanced competition could lead to more efficient organization of adult dental care, benefiting both patients and society at large.
The analysis was prepared as part of an inter-ministerial effort to develop a new framework for adult dental care in Denmark. The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (DCCA) contributed to the report through its participation in the government’s working group on adult dental care, providing expertise on competition and market dynamics.
According to the analysis, several indicators point to insufficient competition in the sector. This lack of competitive pressure may partly explain why dental treatment prices are relatively high and have risen more rapidly between 2018 and 2024 than prices for other healthcare services overall.
While the dental industry is subject to extensive regulation—largely for reasons of health and patient safety—the analysis concludes that certain regulatory provisions may create unnecessary barriers to competition. For instance, dental clinics are currently prohibited from offering discounts on specific services subject to legally fixed prices. The report suggests that introducing maximum prices, instead of fixed ones, could foster price competition and lead to lower costs for both patients and regional health authorities.
The report also highlights ownership restrictions as another factor limiting competition. Under current rules, a dentist may own a maximum of two clinics. This limitation hinders the ability of dental practices to achieve economies of scale and share resources, such as specialized staff or advanced equipment, across multiple locations. The analysis notes that experience with clinic collaborations indicates external ownership can be introduced without compromising patient safety or the quality of care.
The findings of the inter-ministerial analysis are expected to inform future policy discussions on how to design a more efficient and competitive framework for adult dental care in Denmark.