DENTAL DAM MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2023 - 2030)

The dental dam market size is expected to reach US$ 228.42 Mn by 2030, from US$ 139.49 million in 2023, at a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period.

Dental dams are thin sheets of latex, polyurethane, or natural rubber which are used during dental procedures to isolate the operating field. They protect patients from cross-contamination and dental staff from splatter. The dental dam market is driven by rising dental procedures, increasing awareness about oral hygiene, and technological advancements.

The dental dam market is segmented into product type, application type, sales channel, and region. By product type, the market is segmented into latex dams, non-latex dams, flavored dental dams, adhesive dental dams, and others. The latex dams segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022 due to its high usage and affordability.

Dental Dam Market Regional Insights:

• North America is expected to be the largest market for dental dis market during the forecast period, which accounted for over 38.5% of the market share in 2022. The market growth in North America is due to the high expenditure on dental care, rising incidence of dental diseases, and presence of major market players in the region.
• The Europe market is expected to be the second-largest market for dental dam market, which accounted for over 28.2% of the market share in 2022. The market growth in is due to the increasing elderly population, high public awareness about oral hygiene, and supportive government policies in the region.
• The Asia Pacific market is expected to be the fastest-growing market for dental dis market, with a CAGR of over 23.1% during the forecast period. The market growth in Asia Pacific is due to the rising disposable incomes, increasing dental tourism, and growing focus of leading players in emerging Asia Pacific countries.

Analyst Views of the Dental Dam Market

Dental dams are an emerging market, as there are very few key market players in this sector. Due to this, the market expansion in the near future is expected to be significant. The limited competition in the dental dam market presents a lucrative opportunity for new entrants to establish their presence and capture a substantial market share. With increasing awareness about the importance of oral health and preventive measures, the demand for dental dams is expected to witness a steady growth over the forecast period. 

Figure 1. Dental Dam Market Share (%), By Region, 2023

Dental Dam Market Drivers:

• Increasing prevalence of dental diseases: The rising prevalence of dental diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, tooth decay, and other oral infections is a major factor driving the dental dam market growth. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dental caries and periodontitis are the most common dental diseases affecting people worldwide. The increasing incidence of these conditions has resulted in a growing number of dental procedures thereby boosting the adoption of dental dams to maintain infection control. Dental dams create a protective barrier, thus prevent cross-contamination and reduce disease transmission risks during dental treatments. Their usage is encouraged before any dental procedure. For instance, as per the World Health Organization 2022, it was noted that the untreated dental caries is the single most common condition globally, affecting an estimated 2.5 billion people. Severe gum disease – a major cause of total tooth loss – is estimated to affect 1 billion people worldwide. About 380 000 new cases of oral cancers are diagnosed every year.
• Growing focus on patient safety and infection control: Patient safety has gained significant importance in healthcare in recent years. Regulatory bodies are emphasizing adherence to stringent infection control protocols to minimize hospital acquired infections. This has led to increased utilization of dental dams across clinics, hospitals, and academic institutes to prevent contamination during procedures. Dental dams act as a shield and provide protection against direct contact with saliva, blood, bacteria, and viruses. Their adoption is being encouraged even for minor dental treatments as they limit the risks of disease transmission. For instance, on June 28, 2023, Dental.com, an AI dental scan company, launched Dental.com Dentist Direct, a groundbreaking teledentistry offering designs to transform dental practices and enhance patient care. Dental.com Dentist Direct allows dentists to outsource their teledentistry services to Dental.com, thus giving them the benefits of offering teledentistry to their patients while avoiding the costs, risks, and hassles of implementing teledentistry services in-house. The offering empowers dentists to showcase their use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology, while seamlessly integrating teledentistry into their practice, thus expanding their reach, improving accessibility, and delivering exceptional virtual dental services.
• Advancements in dental procedures: Technological advancements have led to the introduction of modern techniques in dentistry such as cosmetic dentistry, laser dentistry, and Computer-Aided Design/ Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) based restorations. These minimally invasive procedures require isolation of the oral cavity for enhanced precision and patient safety. This is creating high demand for dental dams from dentists as an isolation method. Dental dams enable precision and control, minimize interference, reduce contamination risks and improve outcomes in modern dental treatments. Their application has increased across dental facilities with growing adoption of advanced procedures.
• Rising dental tourism: Growth in dental tourism and rising number of people travelling abroad for dental care due to low costs and availability of advanced treatments is fostering the dental dam market growth. Countries such as India, Thailand, Mexico and others have emerged as popular destinations for procedures such as teeth whitening, implants, cosmetic dental treatments, and full mouth rehabilitation. Dental facilities in these regions are using dental dams extensively to isolate the oral cavity, thereby prevent infections and follow stringent safety protocols for tourists. This has positively impacted the adoption of dental dams.

Dental Dam Market Opportunities:

• Growing online purchase of dental products: The availability of dental products through e-commerce platforms and online retailers provides significant growth opportunities for players in the dental dam market in the near future. Online sales channels offer convenience and cost benefits for both customers as well as manufacturers. Dental dams are widely purchased online by large clinics, small & mid-sized practices, academic institutions, and dentists. Thus, companies can focus on selling through online distribution channels to boost sales.
• Rising demand from emerging markets: Developing economies such as India, Brazil, China, and others present considerable growth prospects for dental dam manufacturers due to expanding healthcare infrastructure, rising dental healthcare expenditure, and increasing awareness of the dental dam market. The emerging markets have a high unmet need for dental care in the underpenetrated rural areas. The companies can capture this untapped demand by focusing on these high potential markets, thereby understanding the regional requirements and achieving cost optimization.
• Growing adoption of flavored dental dams: Flavored dental dams infused with mint, strawberry, and other flavors are gaining popularity among dentists and patients. These dams provide an enhanced in-procedure experience and are more accepted by patients with their preferred flavors. Children also show improved adaptability with flavored barriers. Leading manufacturers can develop more flavored dental dams catering to different preference profiles to gain a competitive edge. This provides an additional growth avenue.
• Rise of eco-friendly products: Sustainability has become an essential requirement in the healthcare industry. Patients and dentists increasingly prefer dental products with green credentials and minimal environmental impact. The introduction of eco-friendly biodegradable dams which are made using natural materials such as latex, offers immense scope for manufacturers. Developing sustainable dams which are animal cruelty-free and forest friendly will allow market players to position their products for ethically conscious consumers.

Dental Dam Market Trends:

• Increasing adoption of non-latex dental dams: Non-latex dental dams which are made using silicone, polyurethane or synthetic nitrile materials are experiencing increasing popularity over latex variants. This is due to the rising incidence of latex sensitivity and allergies among patients and dental practitioners. Non-latex dams offer high sensitivity protection and significantly minimize the risk of allergic reactions. Further enhancements in stretch ability, tear resistance and treatment efficiency of non-latex dams are fostering the segment growth.
• Growing use of dental dams in advance dentistry procedures: Minimally invasive advance dentistry procedures such as dental laser treatment, cosmetic surgery and CAD/CAM dental restorations require additional precautions for infection control. Dental dams allow precision isolation and protection of the oral cavity during these techniques. Their application minimizes interference, reduces bacterial load, and enhances clinical outcomes. The rising adoption of modern dental techniques will spur utilization of dental dams over the forecast period.
• Increasing product development activities: Leading dental dam manufacturers are focusing significantly on research and development (R&D) and investing in developing innovative products to gain a competitive advantage. Advancements such as micro-perforated dams for better visibility, barriers with thicker edges for convenient placement, flavored dams, and others are being introduced. Companies are also developing eco-friendly biodegradable dams and expanding their product portfolio. Such inventions catering to evolving end-user needs will continue influencing the market growth.
• Growing use of 3D printing: The advent of 3D printing technology in the dental industry provides opportunities for customization of dental products such as dams which are based on the patient’s oral anatomy. 3D printed dams allow a more accurate and optimized isolation of the area of interest during complex treatments. Patient-specific 3D printed dams are gaining increasing popularity for their enhanced efficiency and precision. This emerging trend will complement the market growth during the forecast period.

Dental Dam Market Restraints:

• Limited reimbursement coverage for dental care: Dental treatments are characterized by inadequate insurance coverage and limited reimbursement scenarios across developing as well as developed countries. Over expenditure on dental care remains significant in the absence of comprehensive coverage policies. This results in low adoption of newer dental products such as dams despite their benefits. Without universal insurance coverage, the cost-prohibitive nature of dental dams limits their penetration.
• Availability of alternative isolation techniques: The dental dam market growth is restricted on account of alternate isolation methods that are used in dentistry. Isolation systems such as rubber dams, orbital dams, and optical retractors are commonly utilized during dental procedures. In some cases, dentists may also use gauze, cotton rolls, and aspiration equipment for isolation and moisture control. The easy availability and lower cost of these alternative techniques as compared to dental dams is limiting widespread product adoption among end users.
• Dearth of skilled dental practitioners: The shortage of trained and skilled dental professionals across many regions impedes the adoption of specialized products including dental dams. According to World Health Organization (WHO), there is a stark disparity in the concentration of oral healthcare workforce globally, with many rural communities having little or no access to dentists. The lack of qualified practitioners with expertise in using dental dams inhibits growth opportunities to a large extent. Enhancing workforce capacity and education can help address this challenge.

Counterbalance:  The key market players should take proper initiatives for adequate insurance and reimbursements coverage for dental care. The shortage of efficient dental professionals needs to be met out by increasing the workforce capacity and imparting proper education to address the issue.

Recent Developments:

New Product Launches:

• In June 2022, LTC Healthcare, a Condoms & Lubricant supplier company, launched its brand new product, the EXS Oral Dam. This industry-leading product is one of the first dams to be fully Conformité Européenne (CE) certified on the market and ready to be supplied across the U.K., Europe and beyond.
• In June 2021, Clinician's Choice Dental Products Inc., launched the True Dental Dam which provides the fit, seal and isolation that is needed for better clinical outcomes.

Figure 2. Global Dental Dam Market Share (%), By Product Type, 2023

Top Companies in Dental Dam Market:

• Coltene Group
• Omni Technologies
• Kulzer GmbH
• Sultan Healthcare
• PrimaDent
• Dentsply Sirona
• Patterson Dental
• Premier Dental Products
• Zirc Dental Products
• Hager & Werken
• Ansell Healthcare
• MEDICEPT
• Medicom
• Hygenic Corporation

Definition: Dental dams are thin latex or non-latex sheets which are used by dentists during dental procedures to isolate the operating field in the mouth of the patient. They act as a barrier to protect patients from cross-contamination and block potential passage of microorganisms, bodily fluids, and other debris from the oral cavity. The dental dam market caters to the rising demand for infection control products from dental professionals across hospitals, clinics, academic institutes, and research organizations globally. The market is driven by the increasing number of dental procedures, rising awareness of oral hygiene, rapid growth in cosmetic dentistry, and advanced dental treatments. Leading players operating in the dental dam market are focused on launching innovative products, expanding their geographical presence, and acquiring smaller companies to consolidate their position. The growth of this market is impacted by reimbursement policies, healthcare expenditure, and the adoption rate of dental dams across developed and developing regions.

Few Other Promising Reports in Medical Devices Industry

Latex Coating Market

Latex Sealant Market

Dental Turbine Market

Dental Laser Market