Opening a dental practice in Switzerland is an exciting—and demanding—project! Whether you’re a recent graduate, an experienced dentist looking to set up on your own, or a team planning a new project, this guide is designed to support you through the essential steps: budget to plan for, legal requirements, equipment, hiring, marketing, detailed checklist… Everything you need to get started with peace of mind!
1. Legal requirements for opening a dental practice in Switzerland
Requirements vary by canton. Contact the cantonal health department and the competent authorities. In practice, you will need:
- A license to practice
- Radiation protection authorizations (if you operate imaging devices)
- Documented hygiene protocols (traceability, validations, inspections).
Legally, you must also comply with the new Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP). To do so, make sure that:
- all collection and processing of data are lawful, with explicit patient consent for any use beyond direct care;
- you host data securely, with regular backups to prevent any loss;
-
you use an encrypted messaging system for exchanging medical data.
- you control who has access to this data.
Finally, we also recommend taking out various insurance policies to protect you and your staff:
- Professional liability (mandatory if you open a practice)
- Business interruption (optional but strongly recommended)
- LAA for staff (mandatory for every employer)
2. The budget and costs to plan for when opening a dental practice
The initial envelope depends mainly on the city/canton, floor area, number of chairs in your practice, and level of equipment. It often totals several hundred thousand francs, excluding working capital. In the example below, the range is between 300’000 and 900’000 CHF.
Initial costs when opening a dental practice
These initial opening costs can be broken down into several categories:
- Premises (purchase or lease and any fit-out): feasibility study, fit-out (medical plumbing, suction, electricity, networks, ventilation), signage, fire safety/accessibility compliance.
- Dental equipment: ergonomic chairs, unit, suction, autoclaves, thermo-disinfectors, compressor, imaging (RVG sensors, pano/CBCT as needed), rotary instruments, sterilization/waiting room furniture.
- Software and IT: patient record, appointment and reminders management, billing, backups, cybersecurity, operating/radiology screens, e-signature.
- Fees and formalities: architect, engineer, insurance, company formation, cantonal permits, radiation protection, hygiene inspections.
- Launch communication: visual identity, website, photos, plaque, local SEO, Google Business Profile page.
Indicative budget example for a dental practice in Switzerland
| Item | Range CHF | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Works and fit-out | 120’000 to 300’000 CHF | Depends on area, suction/air network, finishes |
| Chair(s) and equipment | 150’000 to 350’000 CHF | 1 to 2 chairs + sterilization equipment |
| Imaging (RVG/pano/CBCT) | 30’000 to 180’000 CHF | Depending on choice (purchase/leasing) |
| IT and software | 10’000 to 40’000 CHF | Hardware, licenses,… |
| Fees and formalities | 10’000 to 30’000 CHF | Company creation, permits, insurance |
| Launch communication | 5’000 to 20’000 CHF | Website, photos, signage |
| Indicative total | ~325’000 to 920’000 CHF | Depending on selected options |
Recurring costs involved in running a dental practice
In addition to these fixed costs, don’t forget the variable costs:
- Overheads: rent, electricity, water, internet, medical waste disposal
- Salaries: dental assistant, hygienist, reception
- Consumables and maintenance: instruments, sterilization, autoclave checks, imaging maintenance
- Insurance: professional liability, business interruption, …
- Marketing & digital tools: website, SEO, online appointment portal, automated reminders, …
Our features to win patients from day one of your dental practice
3. The 5 key steps to opening your dental practice
Now that you’ve validated your initial investment, you still need to prepare the different steps for launch. To start, you can:
Develop a business plan specific to your dental practice
A solid business plan helps you understand the scope of your project and set realistic goals. To help you, consider:
- Your costs (see previous section)
- Your positioning (what offer do you want to provide)
- Your practice’s goals (how many patients in year one, what revenue)
- Conduct a market analysis (which geographic area you’re in, who your competitors are)
Financing: finding the right balance
A classic setup combines equity and loan/leasing. The choice of legal form (Sàrl/SA) also affects taxation and social security. A strong business plan will be your ally to convince potential investors!
Choose the right location for your dental practice
We recommend choosing premises that are accessible (public transport, parking, accessibility) and visible. The goal: to make the patient journey easier. If you choose a city practice, rents will likely be higher and competition stronger, but you’ll also reach more nearby patients. A more rural practice lets you serve people outside the city centre while reducing rents and competition.
Recruit and train qualified staff
A qualified and welcoming team is essential to your success. Recruit competent professionals and ensure they receive training tailored to practice protocols, patient care, and emergency measures.
Increase your dental practice’s visibility
One of the most useful steps if you want to attract patients! Build a strong presence. To do this, there are various tools you can put in place:
- Online directory, so your patient base can easily find you among all the dental practices in your area.
- Clear website (present your team, services, emergencies, indicative fees, widget for online appointments)
- Google Business Profile optimized with professional photos and up-to-date information
- Online appointment booking, so your patients can easily book with you.
For a successful digital integration, we invite you to read Dr. Nguyen’s testimonial on the digitalization of her dental practice.
In brief: your checklist for opening a dental practice in Switzerland
Use this list as a common thread, from the idea to your first patient:
- Local market study and clinical positioning
- Business plan
- Premises: lease/purchase, plans, any permits
- Cantonal permits (practice, radiation protection), insurance
- Equipment purchase/leasing + maintenance contract
- Software: directories, patient record, imaging, online appointment booking
- Recruitment
- Visual identity, website, Google Business Profile, reviews
- Launch plan: opening offers, partnerships, communication
Once this checklist is complete, you’re ready to launch your dental practice! We wish you every success in this new venture and look forward to discovering your practice.
