DENTIS launches Indian subsidiary, gains nod for key dental products

DENTIS, a Korean provider of implant-based dental and medical solutions, has officially launched its operations in India after establishing its local subsidiary and securing necessary import approvals.

In April, DENTIS completed the setup of its subsidiary in Gurgaon, a growing IT hub near New Delhi. Since then, the company has worked to obtain the necessary regulatory clearances for importing its key products. These include the SQ implant lineup, advanced dental prosthesis devices, and the SQ Guide—a digital implant guide system tailored for SQ implant fixtures.

With its New Delhi headquarters now operational, DENTIS India is building a sales network, initially focusing on the northern region before expanding to key markets in the west and south, including Mumbai and other major cities.

An official from DENTIS highlighted the potential of the Indian market, describing it as a "blue ocean" due to its relatively undeveloped oral hygiene sector. "India's younger population often lacks awareness of oral health, leading to a higher prevalence of dental issues," he said. "For companies specializing in implants, this represents a unique opportunity to expand and innovate."

To pave the way for its market entry, DENTIS has been forging strong relationships with key opinion leaders and hosting local academic events. These pre-marketing efforts have not only boosted brand awareness but also ensured that DENTIS was ready to hit the ground running as soon as regulatory approvals were granted, including India’s medical device certification.

Now, with all necessary approvals secured, DENTIS said it plans to rapidly launch its flagship SQ Implant and begin product sales across India. The company plans to reinforce its market presence through localized seminar programs and expects these sales initiatives to drive performance gains starting in the fourth quarter of this year.

DENTIS is also accelerating its efforts to obtain approval for essential dental equipment, including high-precision measurement devices and dental unit chairs. The company emphasized its focus on expanding its distribution network and increasing its market share in India by offering comprehensive dental solutions.

The timing couldn't be better. According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), India's medical device industry, valued at $11 billion in 2022, is expected to grow at over 16 percent annually, potentially hitting $50 billion by 2030. 

With India relying on imports for 70-80 percent of its medical devices and a rising demand for Korean products following the Covid-19 pandemic, DENTIS added that the market is ripe for expansion.

The Indian dental implant market, in particular, is set for significant growth. U.K. market research firm EMIS Next projects it will jump from $203 million in 2021 to $371 million by 2028. Despite India's young average age of 28, the demand for dental implants is expected to surge, driven by poor dental hygiene practices even among younger adults.

"We're positioning ourselves to capture a larger share of this expanding market by offering total solutions, from dental implants to clear aligners and operating room (OR) solutions," the DENTIS official said. "Our strategy includes establishing new subsidiaries in key strategic countries, with the goal of boosting sales and profitability by expanding our global supply volume."