After eight years of successful practice in Spain, Dr Victor Vicente relocated to Dubai with a specialised skillset: complex surgical dermatology. Now three months into his journey at Mediclinic Dubai, he is sharing what the transition has been like and what it means for doctors considering a similar move. In this interview, he covers the real opportunity in surgical dermatology, how patient dynamics differ in Dubai, a realistic timeline for building a practice, and the practical choices that made his move smoother.
The Real Opportunity: Surgical Specialisation in High Demand
If you are a dermatologist who performs complex surgeries (carcinomas, melanomas, flaps, grafts), Dubai’s healthcare market has significant opportunity. While aesthetics dominates many practices, there is growing demand for surgical expertise, particularly in anatomically challenging areas like facial and head reconstructions.
“I consider myself more a dermatologic surgeon than a clinical dermatologist,” Dr Vicente explains. “The patients who need complex interventions are here, but surgical dermatologists with European or Western training are still relatively rare.”
If you perform complex dermatological surgical procedures and enjoy theatre work, you can carve out a distinct position in the market. The key is communicating your specialised expertise clearly to both referring physicians and patients.
The Patient Relationship Difference (And How to Adapt)
European doctors often find Dubai’s patient dynamics surprising. Patients here have access to multiple specialists, do extensive research, and actively seek second opinions. Rather than viewing this as a challenge, Dr Vicente sees it as raising the bar, a perspective shared by others joining American Hospital Dubai.
“Patients here have exceptional healthcare options and they know it,” he notes. “That means you need to be at your best and take time with explanations.”
His approach: invest extra time in patient education. Explain not just what treatment you are recommending, but why and for how long. This thoroughness builds the trust that converts one-time consultations into ongoing patient relationships. If you are used to high patient volumes with limited time per consultation, you will need to adjust your approach, because quality of interaction matters more than quantity, especially in your first year.
The Timeline: What to Expect in Your First Six Months
Dr Vicente is candid about the adjustment period. Based on what he has learned from colleagues and contacts in the region, building a patient base in Dubai typically takes three to six months, even for top-tier doctors. He is patient with this process and focused on adapting his approach to the market, a journey that parallels Dr Schwarts at American Hospital Dubai.
“You have to be comfortable starting fresh and building your reputation through excellent patient care,” he says. “It takes time, but that’s true in any practice worth building.”
Arrive with a solid financial plan covering your first 6 to 12 months. Use the initial slower period strategically: build relationships with colleagues across specialties, understand the referral networks, and refine your patient communication for a multicultural audience.
The Licensing Reality: Prepare for the DHA Exam
The DHA licensing process can be challenging to navigate on your own. Budget time for preparation and consider guidance from those who have been through the process. Once licensed, you are part of a credentialed medical community that patients trust.
The Lifestyle Factor: Structure Your Life to Reduce Stress
Dr Vicente made intentional choices about his Dubai setup. He chose accommodation close to the hospital, eliminating long commutes and reducing daily stress, an approach that also features in Dr Khan’s move from the UK.
“I’ve removed much stress from my daily life,” he explains. “That lets me focus energy on patient care and professional development.”
It is worth thinking strategically about your living situation, especially in your first year. Proximity to the hospital, simplified living arrangements, and eliminating commute stress can make a significant difference in your adjustment period.
The Communication Skills Advantage
Managing communication across Spanish, German, Italian, and English keeps Dr Vicente sharp. More importantly, Dubai’s multicultural environment means every doctor needs to excel at clear medical communication across language and cultural contexts. If you are multilingual, that is an asset. If not, a focus on clarity, patience, and cultural sensitivity, adjusting your communication style for different patient backgrounds, multiplies your effectiveness.
Who Should Consider This Move?
Dr Vicente’s perspective on relocating to Dubai is straightforward: “If you enjoy experiencing different healthcare systems and building something meaningful, this is an incredible opportunity. Dubai offers what few other cities can match right now.”
What makes Dubai appealing for dermatologists:
- Your specialised skills are in demand, especially in surgical dermatology
- The international patient base provides diverse clinical experience
- You will work with advanced healthcare infrastructure and technology
- The multicultural environment enhances your professional capabilities
- Building a practice here positions you at the centre of a growing healthcare hub
“I don’t think there’s a better city than Dubai right now in the world,” Dr Vicente reflects. “The quality of healthcare infrastructure, the international patient base, the professional growth opportunities. It’s exceptional.”
A realistic timeline: most doctors find it takes three to six months to build momentum, so planning for your first 6 to 12 months allows you to focus on establishing strong foundations rather than immediate patient volume.
Three months into his Dubai practice, Dr Vicente is doing what he loves: combining surgical precision with full dermatological care. His daughters will join him once he is fully settled. The foundation is being built, one excellent patient interaction at a time.
About Dr Victor Vicente
Dr Victor Vicente is a consultant dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Mediclinic Dubai, specialising in complex surgical dermatology including carcinomas, melanomas, flaps, and grafts, with a particular focus on anatomically challenging facial and head reconstructions. He practised for eight years in Spain before relocating to Dubai, and works across Spanish, German, Italian, and English, an international path that echoes Dr Lothian’s advice for consultants.
How Allocation Assist Supports Dermatologists Moving to the Gulf
As a medical recruitment and healthcare jobs consultancy in Dubai, our team has placed hundreds of Western-trained physicians across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, with relationships at 95+ hospitals across the Gulf and over 11 years of experience, including UK doctors moving to the Gulf.
Key Areas of Support
- Hospital matching, based on your subspecialty, case mix, and family priorities.
- DHA, DOH, MOHAP, and SCFHS licensing, including exam preparation guidance.
- Contract review and negotiation, including salary, package, and insurance terms.
- Relocation and family logistics, including housing, schooling, and post-arrival support.
- Ongoing peer community, connecting you with doctors who have made the same move.
For hands-on help with your move, explore our DHA license consultancy. To talk through your own move, you can book a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr Victor Vicente?
Dr Victor Vicente is a consultant dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Mediclinic Dubai, specialising in complex surgical dermatology. He practised for eight years in Spain before relocating to Dubai, and describes himself as “more a dermatologic surgeon than a clinical dermatologist.”
Is there demand for surgical dermatology in Dubai?
Yes. While aesthetics dominates many practices, Dr Vicente notes growing demand for complex surgical expertise, particularly in anatomically challenging areas like facial and head reconstructions. He observes that surgical dermatologists with European or Western training are still relatively rare in the market.
How long does it take to build a dermatology patient base in Dubai?
Based on Dr Vicente’s experience and what he has learned from colleagues, building a patient base in Dubai typically takes three to six months, even for top-tier doctors. He advises arriving with a financial plan covering your first 6 to 12 months.
How are patients in Dubai different from Europe?
Patients in Dubai have access to multiple specialists, do extensive research, and actively seek second opinions. Dr Vicente sees this as raising the bar: “That means you need to be at your best and take time with explanations.” His approach is to invest extra time in patient education to build lasting trust.
What types of procedures does Dr Vicente perform?
Dr Vicente performs complex dermatological surgery including carcinomas, melanomas, flaps, and grafts, with particular expertise in anatomically challenging facial and head reconstructions.
How did Dr Vicente reduce the stress of relocating?
He made intentional setup choices, including accommodation close to the hospital to eliminate long commutes. As he puts it: “I’ve removed much stress from my daily life. That lets me focus energy on patient care and professional development.”
Is being multilingual an advantage for doctors in Dubai?
Yes. Dr Vicente works across Spanish, German, Italian, and English, and notes that Dubai’s multicultural environment means every doctor benefits from clear medical communication across language and cultural contexts. Doctors who are not multilingual can focus on clarity, patience, and cultural sensitivity.
Where does Dr Victor Vicente work in Dubai?
Dr Vicente works at Mediclinic Dubai, where he is three months into building his surgical dermatology practice. His daughters will join him once he is fully settled.
How can Allocation Assist help me move to Dubai as a dermatologist?
Allocation Assist has placed hundreds of Western-trained physicians across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, with relationships at 95+ hospitals and over 11 years of experience. The team supports doctors through DHA licensing, hospital placement, contract negotiation, and relocation.
