Australia
The Australian Dental Prosthetists Association has 600
Prosthetist members, of approximately 1,000 registered
in Australia. The association continues to lobby the National
Government for increased benefits to be paid to providers
for the provision of services to war veterans. A submission
has been made to the national body of the registration
boards, CORA, regarding increased scope of practice for
Prosthetists. Areas suggested for review are bleaching,
splints, sleep apnea appliances, bruxism splints and dentures
over implants. The States of Tasmania, New South Wales
and Victoria have been advised that it is now within the
scope to provide dentures over implants
A degree course in Dental Technology and Masters of
Dental Prosthetics is to be offered next year in Queensland
by the Griffith University. This is a 3 year course.
The overseeing body for all technicians and Prosthetists
in Australia is called the Council of Regulatory Authorities
(CORA). It oversees all registration and training issues.
All dental Prosthetists will be levied $15 through their
own registering authority to allow it to function independently.
The biennial national conference will be held October
1-4 in Surfers Paradise. In 2005, the biennial conference
will be held in Sydney in August.
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Canada
The members of DAC are the 10 provinces and 2 territories,
representing almost 2,000 denturists/denturologistes in
Canada. The 2003 Annual Meeting was held in St. John's,
Newfoundland in August. This was extremely well attended
by provincial representatives as well as interested individual
members.
The Denturist Association of Canada (DAC) has mainly
occupied itself with the creation of an electronic claims
network for Denturists. It has developed an amicable working
relationship with the Canadian Dental Associations who
have agreed to allow Denturists to use its message standard
for denturist claims. Extensive controls will be put into
place to ensure the confidentiality of the transactions.
Subscriptions to the DACnet® will be administered through
the DAC with CDA providing technical support to providers
and insurance carriers. It is likely that DAC will launch
DACnet® with a small critical mass. Extensive communication
with the insurance industry has indicated some reluctance
to input DACnet® while there is work being done on a National
e-claims System that would provide access to all professions.
Unfortunately the NeCST system will not be launched for
several years. Working with the CDA will give Canadian
Denturists the ability to send pre-authorizations, and
claims much quicker through DACnet®.
DAC is simultaneously working on DACnet® while representing
the profession of Denturism on the NeCST working committee
and the Oral Health Special Interest Group.
DAC has completed revision of the document "Method for
Accreditation of Denturist & Denturologiste Programs".
The new document refines the process of accreditation
and incorporates a new section on competencies. The document
has been ratified by all members of the DAC and forwarded
to the Canadian schools for their use as a resource in
preparing for the next round of on-site accreditation
surveys. The document will be sent to the provincial denturist
regulatory bodies for their information.
There are 4 schools in Canada, 3 of which have accreditation
status and 1 that will be seeking accreditation in the
next year. A fifth school has suspended its Denturist
Program while both the curriculum and the physical facility
are revamped to meet accreditation standards. It is expected
to re-open within two years.
A Task Force on Radiographs has been formed to research
legislation and education relating to the ordering and
reading of radiographs, and to develop documentation to
help provinces enhance their scope of practice.
DAC invites all IFD members to meet in Montréal at the
time of the 4th World Symposium on Denturism. The Symposium
will be held October 12-17, 2004 at the Palais des Congrès.
The Symposium will be co-hosted by the DAC, l'Association
des denturologistes du Quebec and the IFD.
The Denturist Association of Ontario will be holding
a conference entitled "Perfecting Your Practice." This
will be held at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario,
June 3-5, 2004. For information, contact DAO at info@dao.on.ca
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Cyprus
There are 70 dental lab and 200 dental technicians, some
of whom practice Denturism. Cyprus will be part of the
EU in 2004. More information on progress in Cyprus to
be provided at next meeting.
Denmark
Denmark is anxious for the European Committee of the IFD
to continue and expand its work because there are many
EU members and other European countries that need IFD's
assistance. Denmark will be dealing with the Medical Devices
Directive. 2004 is the 25th Anniversary of the Denmark
association. IFD will have a presence at the 2004 celebrations
in Denmark.
Germany
Information will be provided at the next meeting.
Hungary
The Society of Hungarian Denturists has 5 members who
meet regularly. The main topic is the clinical examination
and finding a way to make the diploma valid in Hungary.
In Hungary, many dental technicians work in the mouth
and have better experience than dentists in the field
of prosthetics. Training in Denturism ceased in Hungary
after 1956 but Denturists in Hungary have 30-35 years
practical experience. It is those avant-garde Denturists
who can introduce the profession to Hungary again.
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Malta
MDTA is an organization representing both Denturists and
Dental Laboratory Technologists. The Association has joined
the FEPPD, which is the main source of information in
Dental Technology. There are 4 Denturists in Malta. They
have developed a Code of Ethics, which was officially
launched on the website of the Department of Health, together
with those of all the other paramedical professions, and
a Mission Statement. The launching of the code of ethics
was considered an achievement, attained through the Board
for the Professions Supplementary to Medicine (BPSM).
MDTA was in the forefront in submitting its Code of Practice
for the profession.
MDTA plans to establish its own website and is presently
in the process of having its introductory page until further
development. The President of MDTA will be meeting with
the Minister of Health and other prominent members of
the Council of Health.
The Medical Devices Directive was one of the pre-accession
regulations exercised by Malta since 2001, under the General
Products Safety Act which has been reviewed (LN 47 2003).
MDTA organized a successful meeting for members to discuss
and get acquainted with the new regulations before full
EU membership in May 2004. The Association has asked for
an observer position on the Council. Legislation in other
countries, such as the UK, will be helpful to Malta.
The
Netherlands
The National Department of Health has issued national
ID cards to all citizens that contain their personal health
information. There is more marketing and deregulation
of health care. The Association has had discussions with
dental technicians and government to gather information
as to how the profession of Denturism needs to evolve.
Scope of practice may include advancements in elimination
of prescriptions, crowns on implants, bleaching. Education
is being upgraded to a Bachelor level. The new Denturist
in Holland will work as a professional with his/her own
responsibility, work on the oral health team, and make
all removable appliances without prescription. "All removable
appliances" may include placing abutments, supra structures
for implants, emergency appliances for crowns, bleaching,
sleep apnea appliances.
Social insurance pays 75% of the cost of a denture;
private insurance will cover the remainder. Claims are
sent to the insurance company once a month and reimbursement
is received in approximately two weeks. Denturists are
hesitating to submit e-claims because of tracking records
that are kept, e.g. how much work is done, what procedures,
etc.
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Poland
Information will be provided at the next meeting.
Slovakia
There was an excellent opportunity to pass the Denturist
Bill in Slovakia; however, due to more important Government
agenda items, such as joining the European Union, the
Denturist Bill is not a priority for Government at this
time. In July, the Denturist Association presented an
amendment to the National Council Bill SK 277/1944 re
Health Organization and Health Professions to include
Denturists and so recognize the qualifications issued
by educational institutions. Parliamentary debate is scheduled
for October 2003. The Slovak Denturist Association meets
every third Saturday to participate in continuing education
seminars. Membership is growing and a second group of
practitioners is ready to take the clinical exam in March
2004. The SDA is associated as a branch of the Slovak
Chamber of Dental Technician (SCDT) which is a recognized
self-governed profession.
United
Kingdom
Still working with General Dental Council in pursuit of
legislation. Legislation is likely being held up waiting
for the EU Professional Qualifications directive to be
completed. Working to have GBC diploma course recognized
as a UK qualification. The Report of the Office of Fair
Trading was good to Denturists. A hurdle is the "business
of dentistry" because only dentists can bill for dental
services. A letter from the Minister responsible will
eliminate this hurdle. A court decision due in a few weeks
will hopefully give Clinical Dental Technicians the right
to operate in South Ireland.
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United
States
There has been movement towards denturist legislation
in the States of Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania,
Louisiana, California and Minnesota. These bills have
been put into place private citizens, legislators, denturist
groups, and advocacy groups. These groups are interested
in both greater access to dental care as well as more
affordable prices. The Minnesota initiative is spearheaded
by a dentist who works for a community dental practice
funded by the State of Minnesota. NDA will provide information
needed by the Senate Council on Health Issues in Minnesota.
Legalization of Denturism is part of the plan to develop
better access to dental care.
Some States such as Maine and Oregon are working to
expand their scope of practice. In Maine, the Board of
Dental Examiners is going through a Sunset Review which
requires them to justify their existence in their present
form, be accountable for their actions and spending for
the past ten years, and show where they will be in the
next ten years. In Oregon, the referendum vote for the
expanded scope of practice for Oregon Denturists passed
with a 76 percent vote in their favor and they are now
putting a Denturist Practice Act in place.
NDA and CDTA are starting a venture to form a magazine
which will service both countries. This may become international
at some point.
