Dental Clinic License in the UAE: DHA, DOH and MOHAP
Short answer: A dental clinic is licensed as its own facility category in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and falls under the clinic fee groups with MOHAP. DHA lists a general dental clinic in the same fee band as a general clinic, DOH gives dental clinics a 6 month preliminary approval extendable to 18 months, and every dentist needs a professional license under the facility.
Last verified: October 2026 against the DHA licensing manual (v1.1) and Sheryan fee page, DOH Standard V6 and MOHAP facility license page.
Key Takeaways
- DHA defines a general dental clinic as a facility focused on diagnosis, treatment and management of overall oral health care by a general dentist.
- DHA lists the license in the AED 5,000 range a year with inspection in the AED 2,000 range.
- DOH includes general and specialized dental clinics among clinics with a maximum 18 month preliminary approval period.
- A dental laboratory is licensed separately as a clinical support facility.
- A polyclinic can include dental among its specialties.
Dubai: DHA
- Category: dental general clinic, under outpatient health facilities.
- License fee about AED 5,000 a year, inspection about AED 2,000 and re-inspection about AED 1,000, with longer terms priced at roughly 1.75 and 2.5 times.
- If you add other medical specialties, you move toward a polyclinic category with a higher fee.
- A dental laboratory is licensed as a clinical support center, in the AED 5,000 range.
Abu Dhabi: DOH
- Dental clinics, both general and specialized, are listed among clinics in the DOH extension table.
- Preliminary approval lasts 6 months and can be extended up to 18 months in total.
- Engineering drawings are submitted to DOH for review and stamping, because dental clinics are not among the facility types that must use a prequalified consultant.
- Permanent license documents: malpractice insurance, pest control contract and DED trade license valid for 13 months, plus Malaffi approval.
Northern Emirates: MOHAP
MOHAP’s fee table groups general, specialist, medical and rehabilitation clinics in one range: initial inspection and site plan fees in the AED 1,000 range and a final license for general clinics in the AED 5,000 range and specialist clinics in the AED 6,000 range. Confirm the dental category and fee with MOHAP.
What Dental Clinics Need to Plan
- Radiology: FANR registration is required where radiology equipment is installed.
- Sterilization and infection control layout approved in the drawings.
- Dentist licenses under the facility and a medical director appointed before activation in Dubai.
- Medical waste contract, which regulators list among licensing documents.
- EMR connected to the health information exchange where required.
Frequently Asked Questions.
How much does a dental clinic license cost in Dubai?
DHA lists the general dental clinic license in the AED 5,000 range a year plus an inspection fee in the AED 2,000 range. Confirm the exact amount on Sheryan.
Can a dental clinic offer other specialties?
Adding other medical specialties moves the facility toward a polyclinic category. Ask the regulator before you plan the service mix.
Do I need a license for the dental lab?
A dental laboratory is licensed separately as a clinical support facility in Dubai.
How long does it take to open a dental clinic?
Regulators publish processing days, but build and fit-out decide the total. DOH allows up to 18 months of preliminary approval for clinics; DHA gives an inactive license valid for one year.
Where This Comes From.
How OzaniX Partners Can Help.
We prepare the application, coordinate the drawings and approvals, and run the renewal calendar so nothing lapses, then set up empanelment, bookkeeping and cash planning. See licensing and regulatory advisory or book a discovery call.
Book a Discovery Call