Dentists dissatisfied with the Ministry of Health’s decisions

The dental community in Romania is unhappy with recent decisions of the Ministry of Health, which eliminated the dental care services in the public health insurance.

College of Dentistry said in a statement that it is an unprecedented step in the history of the health insurance system in the European Union.

Doctors also requires that authorities have not explained the measures taken, nor have consulted on the subject.

The National Health Insurance House said recently that the dental notice for funds withdrawal decision is a political one, one that the Minister of Health assumes.

CNAS also said, however, that in 2013 the ministry plans to establish a prevention program in dentistry.

Additional funds "in the budget rectification"

Furthermore, the Minister Eugen Nicolaescu indicated that he would try to find additional funds to the budget rectification.

Even so, the College of Dentistry says that the decision already taken cancels people's access to dental services, particularly for children and disadvantaged categories, and put in difficulty doctors that have contractual relationships with local health insurance houses.

In the country, the funds have already been discontinued, so that patients with dental emergencies now have options that displease them, as reports from Olt the Radio Romania Actualitati correspondent, Laura Stoican.

Patients needing a dentist have two options: either go treat to free dental clinics in hospitals, or take out of their pocket to pay big money to private practice dental emergencies.

The dental emergency system, "in the air"

President of the College of Dentistry Olt, dentist Doru Coca, says that such cases "leaves in the air" the emergency dental system.

"The situation created affects both the patients, adults and children, and the staff of dentists.

"Cabinets living due to Health Insurance House will cease their operation", said Coca Doru.

Olt Health Insurance House Representatives say that this is the first time they face such a situation, however, without affecting dental surgeries in hospitals.
CHIH Olt Spokesman, Constanta Coteneanu, said she cannot say when it will reopen that decision.

"Since for the month April 2013 were not approved funding for dental care, Health Insurance Olt does not conclude the addenda to dental providers.

"Regarding the resumption of contracts, we cannot specify a certain date", said Constanta Coteneanu.


Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University