Gaza Dental Clinics Report Higher Prices and Delayed Care

Fifty-year-old Murad Haji visited a dental clinic in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp after months of tooth pain. He received a treatment quote of 400 shekels, an amount he said could feed his children for several days. Dentist Liza Hassouna said many patients wait until infections worsen because earlier care is unaffordable.

She added that simple procedures often become more complex and costly when delayed.

Clinic manager Nidal al-Sindi reported that a box of anaesthetic now costs 500 shekels, up from 150 shekels before the war. The price of Zeta Plus dental impression material rose from 150 shekels to between 5,000 and 6,000 shekels. Al-Sindi said a simple tooth extraction previously ranged from 30 to 150 shekels and now costs more.

He noted that clinics also face higher rental and equipment expenses.

Hassouna said patients sometimes request extractions as a lower-cost option, though infections may still require additional treatment. She stated that her work now includes balancing medical needs with limited supplies. The World Health Organization reported that 84 percent of Gaza healthcare facilities have been damaged or destroyed since October 2023.

Many providers now operate from tents or minimally equipped spaces. Al-Sindi said some patients leave clinics untreated because of cost, while the clinics themselves struggle with shortages and high operating expenses.