In Norway, most adults receive dental care in the private sector and usually pay the full cost themselves. There are no complete data sources covering activity and costs in private dental care. This report therefore brings together information from several sources and, where possible, compares Norway with other Nordic countries.
Data from the Health Accounts show that households pay the largest share of dental care costs in Norway. In 2023, out-of-pocket payments accounted for about 70 percent of total dental expenditures. Most of these costs are paid by adults who use private dental services. In total, dental spending in Norway reached around NOK 20 billion in 2023. Of this, households paid about NOK 14 billion, which corresponds to roughly NOK 3,400 per person in non-priority groups. Figures from the OECD also show that Norway has the highest out-of-pocket spending on dental services per person compared with the other Nordic countries.
Figures from Business statistics (NØKU) show that the private dental sector has grown in recent years. From 2021 to 2024, turnover increased from NOK 15.5 billion to NOK 19.2 billion. Value creation rose from NOK 8.8 billion to about NOK 10 billion, and gross operating profit increased from NOK 4.5 billion to NOK 5.6 billion. However, these data do not show how spending is divided between different types of treatment, such as necessary care versus cosmetic procedures.
Figures from the Survey of consumer expenditure 2022 show no clear patterns across different background characteristics of households that have received dental services. Most households report relatively low expenses (between NOK 0 and 1,999), and average spending is NOK 2,582 per household. This is lower than figures from other sources, suggesting that the survey likely underestimates actual spending.
When people have to pay the full cost of dental treatment themselves, it can become a barrier to seeking care. As a result, some may feel they cannot afford to visit a dentist even when they need treatment. Data from the Survey on living conditions, poverty-related problems show that the share of people aged 16 and older who could not afford a dental visit in the past 12 months has increased from 4.3 percent in 2011 to 7.7 percent in 2025. In addition, 18 percent report that dental expenses are a financial burden in 2025. The problem is most pronounced among people with lower socioeconomic status, such as those with low income, low levels of education, and individuals who are unable to work.
Compared with other Nordic countries, Norway has the second-highest share of people who report not visiting a dentist despite needing care in 2025. Across Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, financial reasons are the most common explanation for not seeking dental care.