From 200 Won to 1000 Won... How Much Will the Price of Dental Masks Increase?

Surging Demand for Dental Masks in Online Shopping Malls and Large Supermarkets
Some Open Markets Price Them Higher Than Public Masks

On the 8th, a citizen visiting a large supermarket in downtown Seoul is looking to purchase an antibacterial mask. As early summer weather continues, more citizens are seeking dental masks, which are thinner and easier to breathe through than KF94 masks, to prevent the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Juhyung Lim] Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) originating from clubs in Itaewon, Seoul, combined with the recent hot weather, dental masks are experiencing a shortage.

This is because dental masks are easier to use in summer compared to health masks (KF90·94), which are uncomfortable to wear and make breathing difficult, and because health authorities have recommended that wearing dental masks is acceptable.

Especially as summer and the school reopening season approach, the demand for dental masks is rapidly increasing. Compared to health masks, dental masks have a lower ability to filter airborne pollutants or viruses, but they are relatively comfortable to breathe through, allowing for long-term wear and activity.

According to an analysis of mask sales by the e-commerce company 'Wemakeprice' from the 30th of last month to the 6th of this month, dental mask sales surged by 205.6% compared to the previous week.

At large marts such as Lotte Mart, dental mask sales increased by 350% compared to the previous week during the one week from the 27th of last month to the 5th of this month.

On the 7th, disposable dental masks were being sold at a large supermarket in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

As demand has surged, the price of dental masks has also risen. Previously, they were priced around 200 to 300 won per piece, but recently they have been sold at around 700 to 1000 won per piece.

In some open markets, prices have even exceeded 2000 won per piece. This is higher than the price of public masks (1500 won per piece) sold nationwide at pharmacies after the government purchased health masks.

Given this situation, some are requesting that dental masks be managed by the government like public masks.

On the 6th, a petition titled "Please release dental masks as public masks for my child" was posted on the Blue House's public petition board. The petitioner stated, "Before COVID-19 broke out, dental masks sold for less than 10,000 won, but now they are impossible to buy," and appealed, "After the school reopening was announced, mothers are struggling more and more on the internet for their children."

They continued, "We want to buy domestic dental masks, not KF94/80, for the children, but it is impossible to purchase them," emphasizing, "Even if not at the usual price, the price should be lowered."

They added, "There are people who cannot buy (dental masks) because they have no money or cannot find a place to purchase them," and said, "I hear public masks are in surplus, so it would be good if dental masks could be purchased like public masks."

Another petitioner said, "Children have no choice but to wear dental masks that are comfortable to breathe in order to endure long class hours after school reopens," and requested, "Please allow the purchase of dental masks for children like public masks."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.