Five Dental Entrepreneurs Listed on Forbes Billionaires List; Shining 3D, Straumann, Meihao, and Others Release Financial Reports; Dentium Faces Management Dispute Lawsuit; National Stomatological Center with 700 Dental Chairs Opens...

Dentium Faces Management Dispute Lawsuit, Korean Activist Fund Seeks Investigation into Shareholders' Meeting

On March 19, 2026, dental implant company Dentium announced that the plaintiff, the Korean activist fund Align Partners, has filed a lawsuit with the Suwon District Court, requesting an investigation into the legality of the annual shareholders' meeting scheduled for March 31. Align Partners has been pushing Dentium to complete the full cancellation of its treasury shares but pointed out that issues related to internal transactions and governance remain unresolved. Dentium reported a net profit loss of 4.6 billion KRW in the fourth quarter of 2025, with revenue from the Chinese market decreasing by 25% year-on-year. Previously, the company indicated in its Q3 2025 financial report that due to weak demand and intensified competition in both the Chinese and domestic Korean markets, performance continued to be under pressure. It plans to improve its operational status in 2026 by strengthening its localization strategy in China.

Five Dental Entrepreneurs Listed on the 2026 Forbes World's Billionaires List

On March 10, 2026, Forbes released the "2026 World's Billionaires List," featuring a record high of 3,428 entrepreneurs globally. Five entrepreneurs from the oral healthcare sector made the list. Thomas Straumann, a shareholder of the Straumann Group, ranked first in the industry with a net worth of $5.3 billion, placing 806th globally. Heikki Kyostila, President of Planmeca from Finland, ranked second with a net worth of $2.3 billion, placing 1834th globally. Rick Workman, founder of Heartland Dental, ranked third with a net worth of $1.6 billion. Additionally, Christoph Zeller, heir and former CEO of the Liechtenstein-based dental materials company Ivoclar Vivadent, and Simone Maag de Moura Cunha, another shareholder holding 3.5% of Straumann shares, also made the list with net worths of $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. The list data is based on stock prices and exchange rates as of March 1, 2026. The total assets of the listed individuals reached $20.1 trillion, an increase of $4 trillion compared to the previous year.

Straumann 2025 Annual Report: Revenue Approximately 22.61 Billion RMB, Q4 APAC Revenue Down 12.8% Due to China Impact

In 2025, the Straumann Group released its annual report, showing full-year revenue of CHF 2.605 billion (approximately RMB 22.610 billion), with an organic growth rate of 8.9%. Fourth-quarter revenue was CHF 655 million (approximately RMB 5.685 billion), with organic growth of 7.0%. Revenue in the Asia-Pacific region organically declined by 12.8% in the fourth quarter, impacted by the Chinese market. The Group's core EBIT margin was 25.2%, core net profit was CHF 478 million, and basic earnings per share were CHF 2.99. The Board of Directors proposed a dividend of CHF 1.00 per share, a 5% increase from the previous year. As of the end of 2025, the Group had a total of 11,821 employees globally. It is projected that organic revenue will achieve high single-digit growth in 2026.

Shining 3D: 2025 Revenue of 1.575 Billion RMB, Net Profit Attributable to Shareholders of the Parent Company Increased by 100% Year-on-Year

On March 18, 2026, Shining 3D Technology Co., Ltd. released its reviewed report for the 2025 fiscal year. The report shows that the company achieved operating revenue of RMB 1.575 billion, a year-on-year increase of 31.03%; net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company was RMB 425 million, an increase of approximately 100% year-on-year. The revenue growth was primarily driven by the rapid sales growth of 3D scanners. In 2025, the company established several new overseas subsidiaries, including 3DRAYNEX SDN.BHD. in Malaysia and SHINING 3D PTE. LTD. in Singapore. Furthermore, Shining 3D is advancing its IPO process on the Beijing Stock Exchange, planning to raise RMB 550 million, with approximately 29% allocated to the "High-Precision Digital Dental Implant Technology R&D Project."

Modern Dental Group Anticipates 2025 Net Profit Increase of Approximately 45%-50%

On March 16, 2026, Modern Dental Group Limited issued a profit alert for the 2025 fiscal year, projecting revenue between HKD 3.675 billion and HKD 3.775 billion, with net profit expected to increase by approximately 45.0%-49.9%. The announcement attributed the growth in net profit and EBITDA to an increased proportion of digital solution cases, favorable exchange rate movements, and profits contributed by the acquisitions of Hexa Ceram Company Limited and Digital Sleep Design Pty Limited. The final results are expected to be announced by the end of March 2026.

Meihao Medical Group Forecasts Full-Year 2025 Net Loss to Narrow by Approximately 39.3%-59.8% Year-on-Year

In 2025, Meihao Medical Group is expected to report a full-year net loss of approximately RMB 13.1 million to RMB 19.8 million, a significant narrowing from the approximately RMB 32.6 million loss in 2024, representing a reduction of about 39% to 60%. The reduction in loss is primarily attributed to increased revenue scale, decreased share-based compensation expenses, and effective control of human resources and operational costs. In the first half of 2025, the Group's revenue was RMB 43.568 million, a year-on-year increase of 28.9%, with revenue from dental implantology growing by 75.6% year-on-year. As of June 30, 2025, the Group operated six private dental hospitals and one dental clinic in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

Sonendo Preliminary Estimate: 2025 Revenue Below Expectations, Dental Consumables & Services Account for 82% of Revenue

For the full year 2025, Sonendo's revenue was $28.6 million, approximately 8% below prior expectations. Recurring revenue from dental consumables and services reached $23.4 million, accounting for about 82% of total revenue. Operating loss decreased to $13.5 million, a 54% year-on-year improvement. Gross margin improved to 41.9%. CEO Bjarne Bergheim stated that the improvements are attributed to rigorous operational enhancements and that the company expects to achieve positive free cash flow and positive adjusted EBITDA in the second half of 2026. In November 2025, the company entered into a strategic partnership with a European dental company, securing exclusive rights to sell high-quality products in North America to drive increased demand for the GentleWave procedure.

Aria Care Partners Acquires Coronado Dental, Enters Mobile Dental Market

On March 18, 2026, Aria Care Partners acquired Coronado Dental in Chandler, Arizona, officially entering the state's mobile dental market. Since 1994, Coronado Dental has specialized in mobile dental care, providing on-site dental services to approximately 75 skilled nursing facilities in Phoenix and Tucson. According to the acquisition agreement, Aria will retain Coronado's frontline service team to ensure continuity of client care. Aria CEO John Griscavage stated that geographic expansion is a strategic priority for the company, and Coronado's business model aligns well with Aria's on-site ancillary care strategy. Coronado's operations are currently being integrated into Aria's management system.

German Research Team Receives Approximately 34.7 Million RMB Funding to Advance Personalized Implant Development

The Hannover Medical School in Germany and its interdisciplinary research unit FOR 5250 have received renewed funding of 4.4 million euros (approximately RMB 34.7 million) from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a period of four years. The project aims to develop personalized dental implants by combining computer-aided modeling with metal 3D printing technology to optimize stress distribution and enhance long-term stability, thereby reducing implant failure rates from the outset. Existing clinical products are mostly standard specifications, making it difficult to adapt to patients' individualized jawbone conditions. The FOR 5250 research approach integrates medical and engineering technologies, further expanding computational models to address the specific needs of elderly patients, while also developing new coatings containing magnesium alloys to promote bone healing and prevent bacterial adhesion.

Silicon Valley Dental Robotics Company Dentronic Secures $1 Million Funding to Accelerate Mass Production and AI R&D

Silicon Valley medical AI robotics startup Dentronic recently secured approximately $1 million (about RMB 6.9 million) in Pre-Seed funding. The funds will be used to accelerate the mass production of the Dexer chairside robotic arm and the research and development of physical AI technology. Dentronic launched Dexer in 2025, designed to perform repetitive auxiliary tasks such as suction and maintaining visibility. The first batch of products has been produced and sold out. The company plans to expand its market through partnerships with U.S. Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), focusing on developing robotic technology to automate repetitive auxiliary tasks in dental treatments, thereby addressing efficiency issues caused by labor shortages. In the future, Dentronic also plans to extend the application of its technology to broader medical fields such as surgery.

AMD Lasers Launches Laser Endodontic Disinfection System, Reducing Average Root Canal Treatment Time by Approximately 44%

On March 17, 2026, AMD Lasers announced the launch of the LEAP® Laser Endodontic Disinfection System, designed to simplify the root canal treatment process and provide a cost-effective solution for complete bacterial eradication. It is expected to reduce the average root canal treatment time from 90 minutes to 50 minutes, a reduction of approximately 44%. Independent laboratory studies of the system showed a kill rate exceeding 99.99% against the stubborn pathogen Enterococcus faecalis. The LEAP system integrates the Picasso Pro™ diode laser, patented LEAP disinfectant solution, and specially designed fiber tips, with all components already approved by the U.S. FDA. The suggested retail price for the Picasso Pro laser system is under $10,000, and the consumables cost for a single LEAP treatment is under $30. The system is scheduled to debut at the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Annual Meeting on April 15, 2026. As of the time of writing, the company has not disclosed the suggested retail price or launch plans for the Chinese market.

Stratasys TrueDent Becomes Europe's First CE Class IIa Certified Monolithic 3D Printed Denture Solution

On March 17, 2026, Stratasys announced that its TrueDent® resin has received CE Class IIa certification, becoming Europe's first monolithic 3D printed denture solution to receive this certification, applicable to a market exceeding $2 billion. This certification expands patient access to multi-color monolithic 3D printed dentures, removable partial dentures, as well as crowns and bridges. TrueDent-D™ was initially launched with CE Class I certification in early 2025; the upgrade further expands its indications. According to the EU Medical Device Regulation, Class IIa devices are subject to third-party oversight, enhancing confidence in clinical applications. Stratasys reported revenue of $630 million in 2023, with its dental business being a significant growth driver for its additive manufacturing segment. The European denture market is projected to grow from $2.19 billion in 2024 to $2.45 billion.

2025 Recovery of 34.2 Billion RMB in Medical Insurance Fund, Basic Medical Insurance Participants Increased by 4.06 Million Year-on-Year

On March 16, 2026, the National Healthcare Security Administration released the "2025 Statistical Bulletin on the Development of Healthcare Security," which showed that the number of outpatient benefit claims under the national medical insurance reached 7.215 billion in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 25.51%. The total revenue of the Basic Medical Insurance Fund (including maternity insurance) was RMB 3,587.311 billion, with total expenditures of RMB 3,000.938 billion during the same period. By the end of 2025, the number of participants in basic medical insurance was 1,330.6814 million, an increase of 4.06 million year-on-year, with the participation rate stabilizing at 95%. The national medical insurance system recovered RMB 34.2 billion in Medical Insurance Fund and identified 1,626 institutions involved in fraudulent insurance claims. Dentistry has been listed as one of the seven key areas for the 2026 medical insurance unannounced inspections.

Three Ministries Issue Joint Document, Medical Insurance Fund to Favor Primary Healthcare Institutions

On March 16, 2026, the National Healthcare Security Administration, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the National Health Commission jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Medical Insurance Support for the Development of Primary Healthcare Services," proposing 14 measures. It clarifies that as the quality and efficiency of services provided by primary healthcare institutions improve, the proportion of Medical Insurance Fund expenditures allocated to these institutions will gradually increase, and newly added annual Medical Insurance Fund may appropriately favor primary healthcare institutions. Regarding hospitalization, the opinions propose reasonably determining the deductible for hospitalization at primary healthcare institutions, and that the deductible can be calculated consecutively. Settlement times should be compressed to no more than 20 working days, with annual settlements for the previous year to be completed by the end of March each year starting in 2028. The National Healthcare Security Administration will select 15 regions to carry out key contact point work to explore replicable experiences and practices.

65% of Scots Believe NHS Dental Funding is Insufficient, BDA Issues Manifesto to Pressure Government

On March 16, 2026, the British Dental Association (BDA) released YouGov poll results showing that 65% of Scottish respondents believe the Scottish Government should take more action in the area of NHS dentistry, with only 20% believing the government has done its best. The poll, covering 1,075 adults, indicates that approximately one-fifth of Scottish adults have unmet NHS dental needs. The BDA also issued a manifesto calling on all political parties to commit to improving service accessibility. NHS dental charges in Scotland are set to increase by an average of 1.7% in April 2026. The BDA criticized the increase, stating it will not bring additional funding to the NHS service system, and that nearly £1 billion has been returned to the government due to unfulfilled contract volumes. The BDA is calling on the new government to take sustained action to address oral health inequalities.

National Center of Stomatology Opens: First "Oral First-Visit Center" Established, Equipped with 700 Dental Chairs

On March 20, 2026, the National Center of Stomatology officially opened at the Eastern Campus of the Ninth People's Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Equipped with 800 inpatient beds and 700 dental chairs, it aims to address the public's difficulties in "getting an appointment and receiving proper triage" for dental care. The center has established an "Oral First-Visit Center," integrating resources from endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, and other departments to provide one-stop diagnosis and treatment services, charged at standard outpatient rates. On the opening day, a patient with maxillofacial deformity was scheduled to undergo surgery assisted by a 3D printed guide. Dean Wang Xudong stated that this technology enables precise intraoperative positioning, ensuring surgical safety and accuracy.

New HKU Study: Denture Adhesive May Improve Chewing Function of Removable Partial Dentures, Metal-Based Dentures Show More Benefit

Research from the Faculty of Dentistry at The University of Hong Kong shows that denture adhesive (DA) can effectively improve the retention and chewing function of removable partial dentures (RPDs) in elderly patients with extensive tooth loss. The results indicate that the satisfaction rate for retention increased from 46.2% to 98.4%, and the stability rate increased from 27.8% to 90.2%. The study was conducted at a dental hospital between March 2021 and July 2022, ultimately involving 83 patients. After using DA, maximum occlusal force (MOF) and masticatory performance (MP) showed significant improvement after one week, but no further improvement was observed at the 12-week follow-up. The study also found that wearers of metal-based RPDs experienced more pronounced benefits. However, as this was a single-arm clinical trial lacking a control group, the conclusions require further validation.

China Oral Industry Group Plans to Acquire Upstream Knitted Fabric Supplier for HKD 21.6 Million

On March 16, 2026, China Oral Industry Group announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary intends to acquire the entire registered share capital of Shishi Xin Suo Cheng Long Weaving Co., Ltd. for HKD 21.6 million. The acquisition consideration will be paid in full by issuing shares. The target company reported an after-tax profit of approximately RMB 2.275 million for the 2025 fiscal year, with net assets of approximately RMB 22.68 million. This acquisition aims to strengthen supply chain stability and enhance cost control capabilities. It is expected to require approval from the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong by June 30, 2026; otherwise, the agreement will become void.