I was again honored to be invited to DS World Dubai, held last week at the Grand Hyatt Dubai, and I arrived with curiosity.
Why? After a few major announcements at DS World Vegas 2025, including CEREC Go, Primemill Lite, and the launch of CEREC on DS Core, I was curious to see what Dentsply Sirona had in store for the MENA region.
The answer? A measured approach focused on consolidation rather than big new releases. To be honest, after attending AEEDC 2026, it seems the entire digital dentistry industry has cooled a bit.
Let's go over everything Dentsply Sirona showcased.
The DS Portfolio on Display
True to form, DS World Dubai showcased Dentsply Sirona's expansive portfolio. Everything was on display – from their latest CAD/CAM innovations to their restorative solutions and endodontic equipment.
The hands-on areas were particularly well executed, allowing attendees to experience the equipment firsthand and understand how these solutions could integrate into their practices.
Something that comes to mind is how Dentsply Sirona will challenge the wave of Chinese products entering price-sensitive markets.
There were no major digital announcements at this event. No new scanner hardware. No surprise milling machines like in DS World in Las Vegas. The recently announced CEREC mills from Vegas – CEREC Go and Primemill Lite – haven't yet reached the MENA region, though DS confirmed they're coming eventually.
DS Core and its features continue to roll out globally, but here's where things get interesting: there are some significant hurdles to adoption in certain countries. Regulatory frameworks, data sovereignty concerns, and internet infrastructure requirements create barriers that aren't easily solved with software updates. For a company heavily betting on cloud-based workflows, these regional challenges represent a fascinating strategic challenge.
Primescan 2 also wasn't featured, reflecting the reality that global product rollouts don't happen simultaneously across all markets.
Endodontics Gets Some Attention
The most tangible "new" announcements came from the endodontics side – a new endo file system and endo motor were introduced. While important for practices focused on endo, these don't exactly move the needle in the digital dentistry narrative that's dominated recent years.
The Dental MRI – From Concept to Reality
One highlight that caught my attention was seeing actual images from Dentsply Sirona's dental-dedicated MRI, developed in collaboration with Siemens Healthineers.
Last year in Dubai, we saw the concept. This year, some universities that have installed these systems are beginning to generate clinical data, and I had the opportunity to review some of these images. The soft-tissue visualization is genuinely impressive – seeing actual TMJ disc positioning, detailed inferior alveolar nerve mapping beyond the canal, and differentiation between active inflammation and dormant conditions opens up diagnostic possibilities we've never had before.
The radiation-free nature of this technology makes it particularly compelling for pediatric cases and pregnant patients. Of course, the question remains: what's the practical adoption pathway for a technology of this magnitude and cost? Universities and large research institutions will lead, but chairside integration is years away, if it happens at all.
AEEDC 2026 and the Broader Industry Pattern
Coming directly from AEEDC 2026, where major manufacturers showcase their latest innovations, I couldn't help but notice a pattern - the digital dentistry release cycle appears to be cooling.
After seven years or more of relentless innovation – new scanners every year, printing technology breakthroughs, AI CAD platforms, material science advances – we're seeing what might be a strategic pause.
Companies are consolidating their portfolios, refining software platforms, and working through regional regulatory and infrastructure challenges rather than chasing the next hardware release.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Let's face it – the industry has released an overwhelming amount of technology in a remarkably short period. A period of refinement, education, and adoption might be exactly what the market needs before the next wave of innovation arrives.
The Cloud Infrastructure Challenge
One of the most significant underlying themes at DS World Dubai was the infrastructure reality that companies like Dentsply Sirona must navigate.
DS Core represents a bold vision – cloud-based design, cross-platform compatibility, AI diagnostics, equipment connectivity, and HIPAA-compliant patient communication all in one ecosystem. It's an ambitious undertaking that requires not just great software, but reliable internet infrastructure, regulatory approval in dozens of countries, and practice-level comfort with cloud dependence.
The MENA region, like many emerging markets, presents unique challenges. Internet connectivity can be inconsistent in certain areas. Data sovereignty laws vary significantly between countries. IT infrastructure in practice ranges from cutting-edge to essentially non-existent.
For DS to execute their cloud-first strategy globally, they need to solve problems that have nothing to do with their technology and everything to do with local infrastructure and regulation. It's a fascinating strategic challenge that doesn't get discussed enough in product launch announcements.
The Gala Night
Every year, DS World Dubai culminates in a stunning gala night at the base of the iconic Burj Khalifa. This is one of the best events in the dental calender quite frankly. Against the backdrop of the world's tallest building, with its mesmerizing light show, attendees enjoyed an evening of entertainment, exceptional food, and valuable networking opportunities.
These moments are truly what make events like DS World so valuable. I had the chance to reconnect with colleagues and friends from across the global dental community, as well as meet passionate professionals from across the MENA region. The informal discussions over dinner, surrounded by such a diverse group of clinicians and educators, often yield insights you simply can't get from lecture halls and exhibition booths.
Final Thoughts – A Year of Consolidation?
DS World Dubai 2026 was a powerful reminder of Dentsply Sirona's market presence and ability to create impressive experiences for dental professionals. From the luxurious venue to the comprehensive product displays and the unforgettable gala night, the event showcased the company's resources and commitment to the MENA region.
But it also highlighted something potentially more significant: we may be entering a period of consolidation in digital dentistry.
After years of breathless innovation cycles, manufacturers appear to be focusing on refining existing technologies, expanding regional availability, solving infrastructure challenges, and helping practices actually adopt and master the tools they've already purchased. The CEREC Go and Primemill Lite from Vegas 2025 still need to reach global markets. DS Core needs to navigate regulatory frameworks across dozens of countries. AI diagnostic tools need validation and integration into clinical workflows.
Is this a sign that 2026 will be a quieter year for digital dentistry compared to the hectic past seven years? Possibly. But quiet doesn't mean unimportant. Sometimes the most significant progress happens not in product launches, but in widespread adoption, clinical validation, and solving the practical challenges that prevent great technology from reaching practitioners who need it.
IDS 2025 will be the real test. If the largest dental trade show in the world follows a similar pattern of refinement over revolution, we'll know the industry is genuinely shifting gears. If not, and we see a flood of new announcements, then DS World Dubai and AEEDC were simply regional events in a market with unique adoption timelines.
Either way, the dental MRI continues to fascinate me as a long-term bet, CEREC remains unbeatable for chairside workflows in my practice, and DS's commitment to the MENA region remains evident even in years without blockbuster announcements.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to Dentsply Sirona for their hospitality and for continuing to invest in events that bring the global dental community together. Sometimes the most valuable insights come not from what's announced, but from the conversations between announcements.