She points to a measure in particular by the Minister of Health: “When inflation flirts above 10%, he grants less indexation to all care and more indexation to fillings linked to dental caries ( …). This average of 6.24% indexation, which does not allow fees to keep pace with the 12% increase in the costs of a dental office, is a reality that the Minister cannot deny. Also, many contracted dentists will therefore come up against difficulties in providing their care? “. And to add that they therefore risk having to take on more patients per day and choose less expensive and less reliable materials.
For his part, the Flemish socialist will grant a bonus of 100 million euros to all contracted health professionals. Insufficient in the eyes of the Chamber of Dentistry: “This represents 50 cents of taxable premium per patient treated by a contracted dentist! “.
“Push to close your practice before time”
However, there is already a recognized shortage of dentists in Wallonia. “The minister’s attitude risks pushing contracted dentists close to retirement or totally discouraged to close their practice before time…”, fears the professional organization representing French-speaking and German-speaking dentists in Belgium. “The result may be that practitioners who are even more overwhelmed and free to adjust their fees may increase them by reducing access to care for the middle class”.
The non-profit organization also insists on the importance of preventive measures for patients: “Many studies highlight the link between oral health and general health (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, aspiration pneumonia, ‘Alzheimer’s?)’.
Therefore, she calls on Franck Vandenbroucke to get back around the table with health professionals.