Dubai Health Authority Social Media Rules for Clinics and Doctors (2026): What You Can and Cannot Post
Short answer
The Dubai Health Authority's Standards for Medical Advertisement Content on Social Media apply to DHA-licensed facilities, healthcare professionals and influencers who promote them. They ban exaggerated claims such as "miraculous", "the best", "100 per cent", "no side effects", "money back" and "immediate results"; require before-and-after photos to show the same person, with the same lens, unedited, and a "results vary" disclaimer; require written patient consent and medical director approval; restrict titles to those on the DHA licence; and ban filming during surgery. Clinics stay responsible for content filmed on their premises.
Key takeaways
- ✓Swap hype words for specific, honest information.
- ✓Every post naming the facility needs medical director approval.
- ✓No consent form, no patient photo or video. No exceptions.
- ✓Influencer content filmed at your clinic is still your responsibility.
Who the rules cover
- DHA-licensed health facilities: hospitals, clinics, dental and aesthetic centres.
- Licensed healthcare professionals, including on personal accounts when they talk about practice.
- Influencers and content creators who promote a facility's services, treatments or outcomes.
What is banned or restricted
| Area | What the standards say |
|---|---|
| Exaggerated words | Terms such as "miraculous", "magic", "the best", "100 per cent", "assured success", "no side effects", "get money back", "immediate results" |
| Claims | No unrealistic expectations, scare tactics, exploiting patients' lack of medical knowledge, or claims of superiority over rivals |
| Other providers | No negative statements about other doctors, facilities or government entities |
| Titles | Must match the DHA licence; "Cosmetic Specialist" and "Beauty Expert" are not allowed; "Dr" only for physicians, dentists and recognised PhD holders |
| Before-and-after | Same person, same lens, no editing, with a disclaimer that results vary |
| Patient content | Written consent before using a patient's image, video or words; parental consent for under-18s |
| Filming | No promotional filming or live-streaming during surgery or under general anaesthesia |
| Culture | No content that breaches UAE culture or Islamic values |
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| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| "Miraculous results in one session!" | "See what to expect from one session, and when a second is usually needed." |
| "The best dentist in Dubai" | "DHA-licensed dentists with [X] years of experience in implants." |
| "No side effects, guaranteed" | "Common side effects are mild and temporary. Your doctor will explain them in consultation." |
| "Instant glow!" | "Most patients see results within [time]; results vary." |
A compliance workflow that does not slow you down
- Create an approved word list and a banned word list for your team and agency.
- Use a consent form that covers photos, video and quotes, stored with each case.
- Route every post through the medical director (a shared folder or approval tool works).
- Brief influencers in writing and approve their content before it goes live.
- Archive posts, because the standards expect records for audit.
Husbar builds psychology-led healthcare campaigns that persuade with clarity and trust instead of hype. Read our clinic marketing guide, our dental and aesthetic clinic guides, or book a Growth Audit.
Can clinics in Dubai post before-and-after photos?+
Yes, but they must show the same person, taken with the same lens, without editing, and include a disclaimer that results vary. Written patient consent is required.
Which words are banned in Dubai medical ads?+
Exaggerated terms such as "miraculous", "magic", "the best", "100 per cent", "assured success", "no side effects", "get money back" and "immediate results", among others.
Do the rules apply to influencers?+
Yes. Influencers promoting a facility's services or outcomes are covered, and the facility remains responsible for content filmed on its premises.
Can a non-doctor use the title "Dr" on social media?+
Only physicians, dentists and holders of recognised PhDs (attested by the UAE Ministry of Education) may use "Dr".
Sources
- Dubai Health Authority: Standards for Medical Advertisement Content on Social Media.
- Gulf News: Dubai issues social media rules for doctors, health facilities and influencers (2026).
- Khaleej Times: Dubai authority lists words clinics cannot use in ads (2026).
Team Husbar
Husbar Editorial
Team Husbar is the strategy, psychology and research team at Husbar, a psychology-led growth agency headquartered in Dubai. Together we have worked with 100+ brands over 10+ years.
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We will find the psychology behind your lost sales and show you what to fix first.
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