Statistics on dental clinics in Saudi Arabia: 5.7 million patients, with the Eastern Province leading the way
Dental clinics affiliated with the Ministry of Health facilities in Saudi Arabia witnessed a remarkable surge in patient visits last year, reflecting the success of the health sector's strategic plans to improve access to treatment services. According to the latest data from health clusters, the total number of patients exceeded 5.69 million, distributed across various regions and governorates of the Kingdom, a strong indicator of growing public awareness regarding the importance of oral and dental health.
Women excel in health awareness
Detailed statistics revealed a clear female dominance in oral health care, with women leading the way, recording 2.48 million visits to dental clinics, compared to 2.03 million visits by men. This numerical difference reflects the high level of awareness among Saudi women and their commitment to regular checkups, not only for treatment but also for prevention. In a related context, the number of children's visits reached approximately 1.13 million, indicating the growing interest of Saudi families in their children's dental health from an early age. This aligns with the intensive awareness campaigns launched by the Ministry of Health in schools and shopping centers.
Al-Sharqiyah takes the lead, and Asir comes in second
In terms of geographical distribution, the Eastern Province Health Cluster achieved first place nationwide in terms of patient volume, recording a record 593,136 patients. Women constituted the largest group in the Eastern Province with 235,508 visits, followed by men with 183,887 visits, and then children with 173,741 visits. This achievement by the Eastern Province Health Cluster reflects the population density and the quality of services provided, which attracted this large number of beneficiaries.
In second place was the Asir Health Cluster with a total of 552,035 patients, highlighting the scale of healthcare services provided in the southern region. It was followed by the Makkah Health Cluster in third place with 515,484 patients, then the Madinah Health Cluster in fourth place with 476,224 patients, and the Riyadh Health Cluster in fifth place with 408,234 patients.
The context of health transformation and Vision 2030
These figures cannot be viewed in isolation from the radical transformation underway in the Kingdom's healthcare sector as part of Vision 2030. The Ministry's "health cluster" model has effectively streamlined services and facilitated the patient journey. Digital technologies, such as the "Sehhaty" app, have also played a pivotal role in simplifying appointment booking and reducing waiting times, encouraging millions to visit government clinics instead of relying solely on the private sector.
Areas with the fewest recorded visits
In contrast, the data showed variations in figures across some regions. The Northern Borders Health Cluster recorded the lowest number of visits at 76,788, followed by the Hail Health Cluster with 112,407 visits, and then the Riyadh Health Cluster III with 117,965 visits. The Ministry is continuously studying this data to ensure the equitable distribution of health services and improve operational efficiency across all health clusters to guarantee access to care for every citizen and resident.
