The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH), announced the start of implementing the second phase of increasing localization rates for dental professions in the private sector, effective January 27th, 2026.
This decision comes as part of the efforts of both ministries to enhance the participation of national competencies in the labor market and to provide motivating and productive job opportunities for Saudi citizens across all regions of the Kingdom, in support of the objectives of the Labor Market Strategy. It also aims to enhance the quality of healthcare services in line with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program, derived from Saudi Vision 2030.
The second phase applies to all private-sector establishments employing three or more workers in dental specialties, with a localization rate set at 55%.
According to the procedural guide, for a Saudi dentist to be counted within localization rates, their monthly salary registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance must not be less than SAR 9,000, and they must hold a valid professional accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development confirmed that it has published the procedural guides on its official website to clarify the details of the decision and the required localization rates, urging all establishments to comply with implementation to avoid statutory penalties imposed on violators.
For its part, MoH affirmed its continued support for the development of national competencies in the healthcare sector, in line with its strategic objectives to establish a sustainable healthcare system, strengthen the sustainability of the healthcare workforce, and improve the quality of services provided.
This decision represents a continuation of the Kingdom’s efforts to localize healthcare professions, with MoH leading the implementation in alignment with labor market needs. Private-sector establishments will benefit from a comprehensive package of support and incentive programs offered by the Human Resources and Social Development ecosystem, covering recruitment, training, qualification, employment, and job retention, alongside priority access to localization support initiatives and programs of the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF).