Teeth Care As a Luxury: The War Has Turned russia’s Dentistry into a Market for Self-Treatment and Shadow Clinics

Over the past year, prices for dental services in russia have risen about 1.5 times – and dental care, once a routine expense for most russians, has become a cost that people put off until the very last moment. Those who cannot afford to travel abroad for treatment are increasingly turning to makeshift solutions: installing temporary fillings themselves or covering damaged teeth with veneers purchased from online marketplaces.

Sales of “home dentistry” products on russian e-commerce platforms have risen by 60% over the past three months, reaching nearly 40 million rubles. Temporary fillings account for the lion’s share of demand – 58% – with veneers making up the remaining 28%. The average cost of such “treatment” is 262 rubles – compared to 1,500–2,000 rubles or more for a full appointment at a clinic. The typical buyer of these kits is a woman aged 35–45 from moscow, st. petersburg, novosibirsk, or krasnodar who is hoping to wait out the tough times.

In parallel, the rising cost of legal medical services is fueling the black market. Nearly 45% of dental clinics in russia operate without the proper licenses and permits. In moscow, the share of such facilities reaches 78.5%, in st. petersburg – up to 80%. Behind this business there are large organizations operating under the cover of government officials, where patients’ safety is not a concern at all. Medications for such clinics are supplied through “gray” distribution channels – without adhering to storage and transportation requirements – which directly poses risks ranging from complications to anaphylactic shock with fatal consequences. The stakes justify the risks: the total volume of the rf’s dental services market is estimated at 800 billion rubles.