IDS presents dental innovations

25.03.2011 18:16

Federal Dental Association President Dr. Peter Engel calls on politicians to provide better framework conditions for progressive dentistry

The President of the Federal Dental Association (BZÄK), Dr. Peter Engel, requested at the start of the International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne. “The reliable framework conditions that we expect from politicians include the long-overdue amendments to the licensing regulations for dentistry (AppOZ) and the fee schedule for dentists (GOZ), as well as the long-overdue equalization of fees between the old and new federal states.” Engel praised in this context the announcement from the Federal Ministry of Health that it will not include the opening clause required by private health insurers (PKV) in the draft amendment to the GOZ. However, the six percent increase in fees mentioned does not in any way correspond to appropriate consideration of the increase in costs after 23 years of standstill.

Engel viewed the political intention to solve the budget constraints in statutory health insurance (GKV) as positive. The supply law announced in this context will be monitored critically. On the occasion of the world's leading dental trade fair, the BZÄK President made it clear that the dental profession continues to pursue the maxim that the dentist, as a freelancer, is strengthened in his freedom of choice as an entrepreneur: "Anyone who wants to act in a future-oriented manner must also be able to invest."

Engel welcomes the technological progress presented at the IDS as a basis for the further optimization of dental diagnosis and therapy for the benefit of patients. However, before making any investment, colleagues should carefully check whether there is sound research on the technology in question. The choice of equipment for each purchase should also be carefully considered in the sense of a cost-benefit analysis.

BZÄK President Engel also referred to the good successes of dentistry in oral health in Germany in recent years. Significant progress has been made in prophylaxis and prevention as well as in tooth preservation. Oral health has improved again, particularly among children and young people.

In view of demographic developments, geriatric dentistry is also becoming increasingly important. With its reform concept “Healthy mouth despite handicap and old age”, the German dental profession made suggestions for the treatment of immobile patients and those in need of care, which, however, have not yet been taken up by politicians.