Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica

What Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica does

Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica (CCDCR) is a non-profit professional collegiate association founded in 1915 that serves as the statutory regulatory body for all dental professionals (odontologists) in Costa Rica. Operating under Law No. 10352 (enacted June 21, 2023), it holds exclusive authority to license, certify, and discipline dental practitioners across general dentistry and specialty disciplines. The organization is governed by an elected Junta Directiva and operates with 11-50 administrative staff across departments including Fiscalía, Dirección Administrativa, Alianzas y Comunicación, and Financiero Contable.

The CCDCR's service portfolio spans four primary revenue streams: annual membership dues from all registered odontologists, continuing education courses (including a ₡20,000 radiation protection course and $350-$450 USD mediator training), mandatory Timbre Odontológico (professional stamp fees on dental materials and instruments sold through authorized suppliers), and incorporations/certifications for new practitioners. Its technology infrastructure includes a website-based member services platform, the Buscador de Odontólogos online directory (which served 116,712 patients with 260,071 consultations in 2021 via Huli Practice technology), a Virtual Educational Platform for continuing education, the Centro RAC alternative conflict resolution center, and an Electronic Timbre system for professional certification.

The organization maintains strategic partnerships with FDI World Dental Federation (international affiliation), Instituto Nacional de Seguros (member insurance products), Colgate-Palmolive Costa Rica (school oral health program), Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (institutional endorsement for Academic Routes), and the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry. It reaches members across seven geographic zones through the Academic Routes program and operates a recreational center in Belén de Heredia for member events. Distribution is primarily direct through the San José headquarters, supplemented by regional continuing education sessions and online self-serve platforms. The CCDCR functions as a regulatory monopoly funded by mandatory member contributions and transaction-based fees on the dental supply chain, rather than as a commercial enterprise.

Name

Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica

Legal name

Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica

Website

https://colegiodentistas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica is the statutory regulatory body for all dental professionals in Costa Rica, founded in 1915 and operating under Law No. 10352. It licenses, certifies, and disciplines odontologists while providing continuing education, member benefits, and public-facing services to thousands of dental practitioners nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San José

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees and dues collected from all registered odontologists (dental professionals) in Costa Rica. Members must be current with financial obligations to access services and certifications.
2. Continuing Education Courses: Revenue from educational programs including the Basic Virtual Course on Protection Against Ionizing Radiation (₡20,000), mediator training courses ($350-$450 USD), and academic routes programs.
3. Timbre Odontológico (Professional Stamp Fees): Revenue from the mandatory professional stamp/tax system for dental materials and instruments sold through authorized dental suppliers.
4. Incorporations and Certifications: Fees for new professional incorporations and various certifications required for dental practice in Costa Rica.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica (CCDCR) is the statutory regulatory body for all dental professionals in Costa Rica, operating under Law No. 10352. It licenses and incorporates odontologists, oversees ethical and disciplinary matters, delivers mandatory and voluntary continuing education through the Zona TEC virtual platform and regional Academic Routes program, manages the mandatory professional stamp (Timbre Odontológico) for dental materials, and administers member benefit programs including a retirement fund and mutual aid fund. It also offers the Buscador de Odontólogos public directory and operates the Centro RAC for alternative conflict resolution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CIOCR: Congreso Internacional de Odontología de Costa Rica - International Dental Congress organized by the college
• CARO
• Centro RAC

Products and services

• Incorporaciones (Professional Incorporation and Licensing) Mandatory incorporation service granting dental professionals the legal right to practice dentistry in Costa Rica. Required for all odontologists under Law No. 10352.
• Programa de Rutas Académicas (Academic Routes Continuing Education Program) Annual regional continuing education program delivering professional updates to dental professionals across 7 zones of Costa Rica. Held at local hotels with CCSS institutional support.
• Curso Básico Virtual de Protección Contra las Radiaciones Ionizantes 16-hour virtual training course on protection against ionizing radiation, required by the Ministry of Health for RX Operator certification. Cost ₡20,000 CRC. Combines 8 hours via Zoom and 8 hours on the virtual platform.
• Curso de Formación de Mediadores y Conciliadores en Salud (Mediator and Conciliator Training Course) 150-hour training course over 5 months delivered 100% virtually via Zoom for dentists, law students, health sciences students ($350 USD VAT included) and general public ($450 USD VAT included). Certified by DINARAC under the Ministry of Justice and Peace.
• Fondo de Retiro Odontológico (Dental Retirement Fund) Retirement fund program for member odontologists, providing long-term financial benefits for dental professionals in Costa Rica.
• Fondo de Mutualidad y Subsidio (Mutual Aid and Subsidy Fund) Mutual aid and subsidy program providing financial support to member odontologists and their families in cases of need.
• Centro de Resolución Alterna de Conflictos (CARO/Centro RAC) Alternative Conflict Resolution Center offering mediation, conciliation, and restorative justice services to citizens and member dental professionals.
• Timbre Odontológico (Electronic Professional Stamp System) Mandatory electronic professional stamp/tax system applied to dental materials and instruments sold through authorized dental suppliers (depósitos dentales) in Costa Rica.
• Buscador de Odontólogos (Online Dentist Finder Directory) Public online directory allowing patients to search for verified, registered dental professionals by location and specialty. Served 116,712 patients with 260,071 consultations in 2021.
• CIOCR - Congreso Internacional de Odontología de Costa Rica (Annual International Dental Congress) Annual flagship international congress of odontology in Costa Rica, featuring academic sessions, workshops, and professional networking opportunities for dental professionals.
• Convenios (Member Discount and Benefits Agreements) Partnership agreements providing member benefits including insurance (life and medical via INS), oral health education materials, and other negotiated services accessible to incorporated dental professionals.
• Zona TEC (Continuing Education Virtual Platform) 24/7 online educational platform providing continuing education courses including video content, quizzes, exams, and integrated Zoom sessions. Includes access to academic information search tools, databases, and national journals.
• Timbre Electrónico (Electronic Implementation of Professional Stamp) Digital version of the Timbre Odontológico, providing electronic professional certification and documentation capabilities for dental materials and instruments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 116,712 patients served through dentist finder in 2021 with 260,071 consultations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• International Association of Pediatric Dentistry (IAPD)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 March 2023Partnership promoting the IAPD Fellowship program for pediatric dentists, offering international certification and post-nominal credentials (FIAPD) to qualified professionals.
• Colgate-Palmolive Costa RicacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2022Joint program 'Sonrisas Brillantes Futuros Brillantes' (Bright Smiles Bright Futures) promoting oral health education in schools. The program provides educational materials, games, and digital applications to schools, with volunteer dentists participating in oral health initiatives for school children.
• Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2022Insurance partnership providing life insurance and medical insurance products with accessible premiums for members. Life insurance includes accidental and non-accidental death coverage, funeral expense advances, and oncological disease advances. Medical insurance offers personal/family coverage, emergencies, hospitalization, surgeries, outpatient expenses, and coverage in Costa Rica and Central America.
• FDI World Dental FederationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCDCR is an official member of the FDI World Dental Federation, gaining access to global dental standards, international congresses (including the FDI World Dental Congress), and collaborative initiatives for oral health policy. The affiliation provides international recognition and participation in worldwide dental advocacy.
• Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCSS provides Institutional Interest Declaration for Academic Routes program, recognizing the continuing education initiatives as benefiting public health. The relationship supports the program's nationwide reach for dental professional development.
• CIOCR Organizing CommitteeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Costa Rican International Congress of Odontology (CIOCR) bringing together dental professionals for the most important dental event in Costa Rica, featuring academic sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
• Academia Costarricense de Ortodoncia (ACO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on protocols for patient transfers with ongoing orthodontic treatment, developed to support professional standards and patient care continuity.
• Academia de Radiología Oral y MaxilofacialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint alert issued on radiographic examinations without justification, promoting appropriate use of X-rays in dental practice based on international ICRP guidelines.
• Dirección Nacional de Resolución de Conflictos (DINARAC) - Ministry of JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertification provided by DINARAC for the mediator and conciliator training course with emphasis on health, under the Ministry of Justice and Peace.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Dental Association (ADA): The ADA is the national professional association for dentists in the United States, performing the same regulatory, advocacy, continuing education, and membership functions for U.S. dental professionals as the CCDCR does for Costa Rican odontologists.
• Federación Dental Internacional (FDI) member: Malaysian Dental Association: Malaysia's national dental association, also an FDI member, combines regulatory cooperation with membership services for Malaysian dentists — a peer on the same global stage as the CCDCR.
• British Dental Association (BDA): The BDA is the professional association and trade union for dentists in the UK, offering advocacy, education, indemnity support, and practice resources — directly comparable to the CCDCR's blend of regulatory and membership services.
• South African Dental Association (SADA): SADA is the recognized national professional body for dentists in South Africa, providing advocacy, continuing education, and member benefits analogous to those offered by the CCDCR.
• Australian Dental Association (ADA AU): Australia's national dental professional association represents the dental profession across advocacy, education, and member support, mirroring the CCDCR's mandate for Costa Rican odontologists.
• Canadian Dental Association (CDA): The CDA is Canada's national voice for dentistry, providing member services, clinical guidance, and advocacy for Canadian dentists — the same collegiate association role the CCDCR plays in Costa Rica.
• Consejo General de Dentistas de España: Spain's national dental colegio, with a similar Spanish-language naming convention and structure, regulates Spanish dentists and provides the same combination of licensing, ethics oversight, and continuing education as the CCDCR.
• Odontological Society of New Zealand / NZDA: New Zealand's national dental association provides advocacy, continuing professional development, and member services for NZ dentists, comparable in scope to the CCDCR's mandate for Costa Rican dental professionals.
• Irish Dental Association (IDA): The IDA represents dentists in Ireland with member services, CPD, and union-like advocacy — closely aligned with the CCDCR's functions for Costa Rican members.

Broad incumbents

• FDI World Dental Federation: FDI is the global federation of national dental associations; the CCDCR is itself a member. It is the umbrella body for organizations like the CCDCR, making it a natural incumbent peer rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/colegiodentistascostarica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colegio-de-cirujanos-dentistas-de-costa-rica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica