Professional Directory Guide
Medical Specialties in Dubai: Complete Guide
Zavis groups the physician titles on Dubai's Sheryan register into 35 specialties and the dental titles into 11, using a snapshot taken on 3 April 2026. General Practitioner is the largest physician group with 6,922 professionals, followed by Obstetrics & Gynecology (1,510) and Pediatrics (1,228). A specialty title needs a recognised specialty qualification from a full-time programme of at least 3 years, such as a clinical residency (PQR 4.1.9).
99,520
Total professionals
24,186
Physicians
5,505
Facilities
46
Specialties
Understanding Medical Specialties in Dubai
Zavis groups the titles on Dubai's register into 35 physician specialties and 11 dental specialties. The register itself uses finer titles that pair a grade with a specialty, such as Specialist Internal Medicine. Each specialty title needs a recognised specialty qualification from a full-time programme of at least 3 years (PQR 4.1.9).
Below is a guide to the major specialty categories, what they treat, and how many practitioners are available in Dubai.
Primary Care Specialties
Primary care physicians are the first point of contact for most patients. They handle general health issues, preventive care, and referrals to specialists.
Surgical Specialties
Surgical specialties involve operative procedures to diagnose or treat conditions. Dubai has a full range of surgical disciplines from general surgery to highly specialized microsurgery.
Medical Specialties (Non-Surgical)
Medical specialties focus on diagnosis and non-surgical treatment. These cover organ systems, age groups, and disease types.
Dental Specialties
Beyond general dentistry, Dubai offers 11 dental specialties covering everything from orthodontics to oral surgery.
Full Specialty Directory
Browse all specialties and their professionals through the Zavis Professional Directory. Each specialty page lists the practitioners in Zavis's 3 April 2026 register snapshot with their grade, licence type, and facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medical specialties are available in Dubai?
Zavis groups the physician titles on Dubai's register into 35 specialties and the dental titles into 11. The register itself uses finer titles that combine a grade and a specialty, such as Specialist Internal Medicine, and covers fields from general practice and family medicine to cardiology, neurosurgery and reproductive medicine.
What is the difference between a GP and a specialist?
A General Practitioner (GP) provides primary care and treats a wide range of conditions. A specialist holds a recognised specialty qualification from a full-time programme of at least 3 years, such as a clinical residency (PQR 4.1.9). Zavis's register snapshot lists 6,922 GPs and thousands more specialists across 34 other specialties.
Which specialty should I see for back pain?
For back pain, start with your GP or an Orthopedic Surgeon. Depending on the cause, you may be referred to a Neurosurgeon (for disc or nerve issues), a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialist (for conservative management), or a Rheumatologist (for inflammatory conditions). Pain management clinics also treat chronic back pain.
What is the rarest medical specialty in Dubai?
Among physician specialties, the less common specialties include Reproductive Medicine & IVF (53 professionals), Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (53), and Pediatric Surgery (61). These niche specialties have fewer practitioners but serve critical roles.
Can I see a specialist without a referral in Dubai?
Often, yes: many Dubai clinics let you book a specialist directly. Some insurance plans only cover a specialist visit after a GP referral, so check your policy first. Seeing a GP also helps you pick the right specialty.
Related Guides
Specialist vs Consultant in Dubai: What’s the Difference?
Specialist and Consultant are licence titles under the unified UAE qualification rules (PQR). The experience each title needs, by qualification tier, and how to check a doctor's title on Dubai's register.
How Medical Licensing Works in Dubai
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FTL vs REG License: What’s the Difference?
On Dubai's medical register, FTL means Full-time License and REG means Registered Only. What each code means for doctors and patients, with counts from the register.
How to Verify a Doctor’s License in Dubai
How to check a doctor's licence in Dubai on the Dubai Medical Registry on Sheryan: what to search, what the title and licence type show, and the signs that someone cannot practise.
Data Source
99,520 healthcare professionals across 5,505 facilities. Register snapshot taken 3 April 2026. Source: Dubai's public Sheryan medical register.
Source: Dubai's public Sheryan medical professional register. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Verify professional credentials directly with Dubai's health regulator before making healthcare decisions.