[Report] "Prices Soar, You Have to Make Up Your Mind to Buy" Dental Mask Shortage Signs Amid Early Summer Heat

Rising Temperatures Drive Surge in Demand for Dental Masks
Breathable and Suitable for Summer... Irregular Supply Issues

On the afternoon of the 1st, a notice about the arrival of disposable general medical masks (dental masks) was posted at a pharmacy in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. / Photo by Min Jun-young, intern reporter mjy7051@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han, interns Juhyung Lim and Junyoung Min] "Dental mask prices? They have become much more expensive compared to before. You have to make up your mind to buy them."

As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) originating from the Bucheon logistics center in Gyeonggi Province continues unabated and the hot weather coincides, demand for KF80 and general medical masks (dental masks), which are relatively easier to breathe through than KF94 masks, is increasing.

On the afternoon of the 1st, citizens met in the pharmacy district around Jongno, Seoul, voiced that the price of dental masks is burdensome.

A man in his 30s, Mr. A, who was met at a pharmacy in Jongno 5-ga, said, "I didn't pay attention to dental masks since the beginning of COVID-19, but I was surprised when I saw the price tag this time," adding, "It feels like the price has increased three to four times. I want to buy a 50-pack to use for a long time, but I have to make up my mind to purchase it."

Mrs. B, a housewife in her 50s, said, "Compared to a few weeks ago, the situation has somewhat stabilized. When school reopened and it was noisy, dental masks were completely sold out in this neighborhood," but added, "Still, compared to before, they are expensive. It's a price that's hard to buy readily."

On the 25th, a citizen visiting a large supermarket in downtown Seoul is looking to purchase a dental mask. / Photo by Yonhap News

Pharmacists also reported that the demand for dental masks greatly exceeds supply.

Mr. C (58), a pharmacist running a pharmacy in Jongno 5-ga, explained, "There are many customers looking for dental masks now, but the quantity is so small that we can't sell much," adding, "If masks were supplied normally, we could provide accurate price information, but the supply itself is irregular, so prices are inconsistent."

Mr. D, a medical device seller handling dental masks, said, "We used to sell 50-pack dental masks for 9,000 won, but now they are sold for 38,000 won," adding, "At one point, prices soared to 70,000 won, but they have somewhat stabilized."

Mr. E, a pharmacist in his 50s at another pharmacy, said, "Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the selling price of cheap Chinese-made 50-pack dental masks was 8,000 won each, but now it is 29,000 won," adding, "As the weather gets hotter, more customers are looking for dental masks."

He continued, "In places where vulnerable patients are present, it is fundamentally safer for quarantine to wear KF masks, but for light outdoor activities such as going out, dental masks that block droplets are sufficient," explaining, "That's why dental masks seem to be more popular."

A dental mask is placed in an underground store in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. / Photo by Juhyung Lim, Intern Reporter skepped@asiae.co.kr

According to Emart, sales of dental masks increased by 290.9% in the past week (May 22?28) compared to the same period last month (April 24?30). Compared to the previous week (May 15?21), sales also increased by 52.9%.

Tmon also announced that total sales of summer dental masks from May 1 to 28 increased more than fourfold compared to the same period last month. Sales of easy-to-wear sports masks also increased about threefold.

Earlier, on the 11th, an open market listed a 50-pack of domestic dental masks for as much as 109,800 won.

Given this situation, citizens are urging management of mask supply and demand. A man in his 30s said, "I hope dental mask demand is managed," adding, "I hope it doesn't lead to the 'mask crisis' that everyone went through and found difficult."

Another man in his 40s also emphasized, "School has started, and as the weather gets hotter, I think dental masks will be sought more," adding, "I hope the government pays attention."

Meanwhile, the government plans to increase dental mask production to more than double the current amount to boost supply.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced that it will expand production from the current 490,000 masks to 1 million masks due to increased demand for dental masks. The MFDS also plans to designate 'droplet-blocking masks' with droplet-blocking effects as 'quasi-drugs' and actively support their approval and production.

Yang Jin-young, deputy director of the MFDS, said, "Droplet-blocking masks have particle-blocking ability almost similar to existing surgical masks and meet KF standards of 55?80%," adding, "Applications for approval have already been submitted by three to four companies, and we expect to supply them to the public from around the end of this week."

He added, "For the time being, the supply of droplet-blocking masks will be allocated more to private distribution rather than public masks."

Deputy Director Yang said, "Currently, surgical mask production has increased to about 700,000 to 800,000 masks per day, and we expect to surpass 1 million by mid-June," adding, "To increase production, we are working with the Public Procurement Service and others to raise incentives from the existing 25 won to 50 won."