2003 IFD COUNTRY REPORTS as presented at the 2003 Annual Meeting, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 the Republic of Ireland.

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.