JEDDAH: The Kingdom will apply a 55 percent Saudization requirement for dental professions in the private sector from Jan. 27, as the program’s second phase comes into effect.
The measure covers 20 dental professions and is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health. It follows the first phase, which set a 45 percent Saudization target effective July 27, 2025.
The move aligns with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s Vision 2030 strategy to localize key sectors and follows last year’s approval of updates to the procedural guide for dental professions.
The guide outlines phased Saudization targets — 45 percent from July 27, 2025, and 55 percent from Jan. 27, 2026 — alongside minimum wage requirements and professional standards.
To be counted toward Saudization, dentists must earn a minimum monthly wage of SR9,000 ($2,400) and hold professional accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
Dentists who do not meet these criteria will not be included in the mandated percentages.
According to the procedural guide, the decision takes into account labor market conditions in the targeted professions, the number of graduates expected to enter the workforce in coming years, and the private sector’s capacity to absorb national talent.
The decision is part of the Localization of Professions Initiative, launched on Oct. 1, 2018, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Council of Saudi Chambers, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, and the Human Resources Development Fund. The initiative seeks to create appropriate employment opportunities for citizens in key professional fields.
The ministry said a package of incentives and support measures will be provided to help private-sector establishments recruit and retain Saudi dentists. These include assistance with candidate sourcing, training and qualification programs, and initiatives to promote job stability and workforce integration.
Private-sector establishments will also receive priority access to all available Saudization support programs, reinforcing the Kingdom’s broader strategy to localize key sectors under Vision 2030 and create sustainable employment opportunities for citizens.
The ministry has emphasized that the Saudization decision applies to all companies, regardless of their Nitaqat classification, the government program that ranks private-sector firms based on Saudization levels. It also warned that labor law penalties will be enforced for non-compliance.
