[Repercussions at the level of required health insurance of the introduction of three distinct professional titles in dentistry].

Abstract

From July 2007 on, Belgian dental graduates must complete one year of vocational training in general dentistry or a specialization in the field of either orthodontics or parodontology in order to obtain a licence for the Belgian Social Security System. This introduction of special professional titles required massive legislation in concert with State Health Insurance (RIZIV/INAMI), the Departments of Education of both Communities, manpower planning, comparable arrangements for physicians, and European Directives. Overall the process of subsequent changes in legislation and implementation took up to 15 years. The author includes some critical remarks and indicates what still needed to be done at the end of 2005 to conclude this far-reaching change in the organisation of dentistry in Belgium.