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2004
IFD COUNTRY REPORTS
as presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.
 11.1
CANADA - David Hicks.
Legislation - The Province of Prince Edward Island
has achieved its initial legislation in complete and partial
dentures. Every province and territory in Canada is now legislated
with a full scope of practice. By-laws. DAC by-laws have been
updated to current Corporations Branch law and to ensure working
by-laws reflect current practice.
Electronic Claims -DAC has entered into an
agreement with an electronic claims development company to
pave the way to Denturist electronic claims. In the process,
they have standardized fee guides, discussed any common codes
with the Canadian Dental Association and corrected them, held
extensive discussions with carriers on implementing Denturist
claims, and discussed development of new software with vendors.
To date, there is no commitments from carriers significant
to our industry but DAC is still working towards that goal.
Canadian Dental Association -DAC has developed
a good working relationship with the Canadian Dental Association
and have worked with them on several projects. One is the
national Oral Health Sector Study which will determine the
supply and demand of oral health professionals for several
decades; DAC has also been invited to participate in discussions
at the CDA Strategic Forum. As a result of the 2003 CDA Strategic
Forum, DAC came to an agreement with CDA to hold an annual
information discussion between CDA and DAC on matters of mutual
interest.
Federal Dental Care Advisory Committee -
The DAC is represented on the FDCAC which oversees dental
plans for Indian/Inuit of Canada and six federal departments,
including Veterans Affairs. Recently, the NIHB (Indian and
Inuit of Canada) and the Canadian Dental Association agreed
to a test period for a protocol for the audit of dentist clinics
by the NIHB. This protocol gives each provincial regulatory
body three options in these cases: 1) the Regulatory Body
Denturist representative accompanies the NIHB on inspections;
2) the Regulatory Body inspects and reports to NIHB; 3) status
quo, i.e. NIHB can enter any practice without notice. As several
Denturist clinics have also been audited, DAC developed a
similar protocol for presentation to NIHB. NIHB refused to
address the protocol, saying it would entertain no further
protocols until the trial period with CDA is completed (two
years at least). DAC will be meeting with NIHB privately in
October to discuss this problem.
Consortium Of Regulatory Bodies - The Consortium
last met in 2001 when it completed work on the Agreement on
Internal Trade, Mutual Recognition Agreement. The DAC has
invited the Consortium to meet again in Montreal at the time
of the Symposium to discuss matters of mutual interest. Currently,
this is the only occasion on which the Denturist regulatory
bodies have had an opportunity to meet informally and discuss
questions and concerns.
Journal Of Canadian Denturism - Quarterly
issues of the journal are published. DAC is happy to provide
one complimentary copy to IFD delegates.
TOP
 11.2
CYPRUS - Report from John Ioannou
Cyprus is now part of the European Union, but the official
position the Cypriot Dental council has is that Denturism
is illegal. Several attempts have been made to have a meeting
with the Dental Council but have failed. Being a member of
the EU might facilitate an easier transition into the profession
but every country reserves the right into their own affairs.
The Minister of Health has been notified that, if discussions
do not open with the Dental Council in the near future, a
denture clinic may be opened without enabling legislation.
TOP
 11.3
UNITED KINGDOM - Chris Allen
Draft legislation has been sent for consultation with a deadline
of the end of October. Legislation is expected to be proclaimed
in January or February of 2005 with registration starting
in the Spring of 2005. UK Clinical Dental Technicians will
have a full scope of practice, without prescription, including
ordering and reading radiographs. There will be compulsory
continuing professional education of 250 hours over 5 years.
The CDTA has a good relationship with dental organizations
in the UK and with the General Dental Council. The Royal College
of Surgeons has recognized George Brown College and will issue
a diploma to GBC graduates. Cities and Guilds is a craft awarding
body and will also issue a diploma that is recognized in any
country where Cities and Guilds has a presence and that country
has legislation.
Proposals have been received from several training institutions
to develop a Denturist program in the UK. There is a possibility
of a Denturists Laboratory Centre for Exellence opening.
ACTION: Chris Allen to email details of Cities & Guilds to
Gerry Hansen
Paul referred to ISO 17024 regarding accrediting of accreditation
bodies. Tabled to Education Committee report.
 11.4
THE NETHERLANDS - Eric Engelbrecht
Denturism in The Netherlands is changing from sole proprietors
or working with one colleague or dental technician, to clinics
working with two or more colleagues. Denturists and Dentists
often work together in the same setting. There has been an
increase in provision of dentures over implants, again with
a good working relationship with dentists. Because the population
is aging, there is significant stress on government budgets
to provide health services. At the same time, the insurance
companies are starting to control price levels. An open market
in health care would be a better way of monitoring these needs
but needs time to develop. As of 2006, there will be a different
insurance system in that all citizens will have a basic insurance
(government) and one additional private insurance. There is
new competition in the form of technical work from Asia. The
ONT would like to see a public school with a baccalaureate
degree. The ONT has redeveloped its Board in an effort to
address all these issues.
TOP
 11.5
AUSTRALIA - Graham Key
The first legislation passed in Australia to legalise the
profession of Denturisim, or as they are titled in Australia,
Dental Prosthetist, was passed by the Tasmanian
government in 1957.This legislation allowed the registered
prosthetist, to provide full and partial dentures direct to
the public. Today all states and the Australian Capital Territory
with the acceptation of the Northern Territory have legislation
for Prosthetists, the last being passed by the Queensland
government in 1991. At the present time there is not a uniform
scope of practice throughout Australia, as Western Australia
does not have legislation enabling prosthetists to provide
partial dentures. It is hoped that the Western Australian
government in the very near future will introduce new legislation.
Nationally introduced Competition Policy, Consumer legislation
and Mutual Recognition legislation have all helped greatly
and will continue to help establish national standards of
scope of practice.
Presently there are some 600 members of the Australian Dental
Prosthetists Association. All states and territories (with
acceptation of the Northern Territory) have State based associations
that are affiliated with the ADPA. There are 1000 approximately
1,000 registered Prosthetists in Australia.
Current Issues:
Until recently there has been no requirement for Continuing
Professional Development, CPD, This year the Victorian Dental
Practice Board has introduced CPD as a requirement for registration.
This is very welcomed by the ADPA and it is hoped that other
state registration boards will follow suit.
The ADPA continues to lobby the National Government for increased
benefits to be paid to providers for the provision of services
to our war veterans and that the benefits paid be equal to
that is paid to dentists for providing the same service .
Dentures over implants have also recently been included to
the scope of practice in a number of states. State associations
have been organizing continuing education programs to increase
member's knowledge in this field.
Finally, the Australian Dental Prosthetists Association would
like to extend an invitation to all Denturists, throughout
the world to attend the National 18th Biennial Conference
of our National Association, this will be hosted by New South
Wales. It is to be will be held in Sydney, 25th to 27th August
2005.
Come, have holiday and join us in Sydney for our conference.
 11.6
HUNGARY - Report from Attila Szép
A message has been received from Attila Szép apologizing for
Hungary's absence but there were difficulties in obtaining
Canadian visas. Hungary sends its greetings to the IFD and
delegates.
TOP
 11.7
UNITED STATES - Austin Carbone
The NDA is working with DRZ Marketing to provide a DVD on
patient education which can be used in the denture clinic
waiting room. It will consist of approximately six topics
each with a playing time of five minutes. This is being funded
in large by the dental industry. The NDA website is being
upgraded and improved to include links with m ember sites.
The NDA newsletter allows space to the Clinical Dental Technicians
Association of the UK who funds their portion and also generates
revenue by providing UK advertising. NDA hopes to open this
up to other countries and possibly making it an international
publication in the future. New NDA by-laws were approved by
the general membership. NDA is working with the American Medical
Denturity Association (AMDA) in a spirit of unit whenever
possible. NDA provided testimony to the Office of Fair Trading
in the UK emphasizing that Denturist are a stand-alone profession
of practitioners who are in direct competition with dentistry
for that market of dentistry which concerns itself with removable
prosthetics. A group of NDA Denturists are working on getting
National Denturist legislation through contacts in the Federal
Trade Commission.
Update on State situations:
Georgia - A dentist legislator had a law passed which elevated
the practice of illegal dentistry to a felony in that State.
A Denturist in Georgia is being charged under this new law
and is fighting with the help of two constitutional law experts.
Maine - The legislature has passed a law
that provides for a Denturist disciplinary committee which
hears complaints against a Denturist and then recommends disposition
to the Maine Board of Dental Examiners. Maine Denturists are
represented on that Board. The Board must abide by the committee
decision or may overturn that decision with a super majority
vote of that Board.
TOP
Massachusetts - A group of Denturists is
trying to get a bill passed through that legislature's healthcare
committee.
California - The AMDA's law suit on behalf
of the citizens of California is expected to pass in October.
If this happens, that would open up that State to legalized
Denturism for nearly forty million citizens.
Oregon - The State of Oregon has recognized
the curriculum at Bates College of Denturism in Tacoma, Washington.
Oregon students from Bates can now challenge the Oregon exam.
Washington State - Washington has a complete
scope of practice. They are now institution a more stringent
mandatory con-ed requirement and have granted licensure for
Denturists in the State of Maine by reciprocity.
Arizona - There seems to be renewed interest
in revitalizing the Denturist movement in Arizona, being led
by a resident Denturist.
Minnesota - There is work being done for
the movement of Denturism in Minnesota. The prime activist
is a Dentist who is altruistically pushing a Denturist bill
based on access to dental care where Denturists will be of
great benefit.
TOP
 11.8
FINLAND - J-P Marjoranta
History - The society for Finnish dental technicians was established
on November 21, 1925. Technicians in Finland were mostly Swedish
speaking at that time and the name of the society was Finska
Fandtekniker Sallskapet rf-Suomen Hammasteknikkojen Seura
ry. In 1933, the society changed its name to Suomen Hammasteknikkojen
Litto (The Union of Dental Technicians in Finland). Finland
passed the law for dentists in 1934 and the following year
Dental Technician was mentioned as a separate profession in
the same law. The law for Technicians was passed in 1964 and
Denturists were added to the law in 1965. In 1966, the first
16 Denturists were registered and ten years later there were
already more than 200 Denturists in Finland. The Denturist
Union, Erikoishammasteknikkoliitto ry was established on November
6, 1979. The Union celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2005!
Today, there are approximately 500 registered Denturists in
Finland, of which 350 are actively working. The Union has
320 members. The Union offers promotional materials, continuing
education, assistance in law matters, website advertising
and a journal called "Hammasteknikko" (Dental Technician).
The magazine is published together with the Laboratory Owners
Union and the Dental Technicians Society.
A major issue is having prosthetic dental care paid by the
State Health Insurance (KELA) The Union is not satisfied with
the high costs of education for students in their private
school and the lack of cooperation in discussing this with
the school. In 2005, the Union will start a new school system
in co-operation with Savonia Polytechnic Health Division.
Studies will be free of charge.
A small group of Denturists have started a new organization
(Suomen Erikoishammasteknkot ry) to compete with the Union.
Their intent is to be profit-making through education courses,
exhibitions and publishing a journal. No other Denturists
have quit the Union to join this new organization.
 11.9
DENMARK - Viggo Bramstoft
Denmark thanks the European Committee of the IFD for attending
the 25th Anniversary celebrations in Aarhus in May. Paul thanked
Viggo and his colleagues for their hospitality. Denmark encourages
the European Committee to be more proactive in the European
Union to introduce Denturism to all countries of the EU. The
UK situation would be very interesting to many countries.
TOP
 11.10
POLAND - Report from Andrzej Dulian
Greetings received from Poland with an update report. A proposition
regarding implementation of Denturism has been presented to
the Ministry of Health. The proposal was completed in March
but changes in the Ministry delayed presentation. Rejection
of the application would allow a push for favourable legislation
by means of self-education, assisted by the IFD. Contacts
have been renewed with colleagues who are interested in practicing
Denturism legally. These contacts should help in the generating
of revenue required for registration. Andrzej Dulian will
present information on Denturism to a meeting of Dental Technicians,
October 14-17.
 11.11
SLOVAKIA - Alena Kunova
Greetings from Stefan Masik, President and Pavel Kotrik, Vice
President, with apologies for not being able to attend the
IFD meeting and Symposium. They are beginning their second
semester at the University of Health.
The reform Bill which was reported on in Aarhus has passed
the legislature but with numerous changes but no final draft.
Slovak representatives recently met with Mr. Stan Skoda, Member
of Parliament, and are again submitting a proposal to the
Minister of Health.
The second set of clinical examinations was held July 1-3,
2004. Eight candidates successfully completed the Exam. The
examiners and IFD observers are thanked for their assistance
and dedication. The observers from Hungary are also acknowledged
and thanked.
While in Slovakia, Paul Levasseur and Slovak representatives
met with Dr Galo (Member of European Parliament). After a
detailed information session, Dr Galo promised his input and
interventions at meetings of the medical/dental committee.
TOP
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Coming Up...
2010 IFD Meeting
September 15-18, 2010
Helsinki, Finland
Program and Accommodation Info
Registration Form
Hilton Helsinki Information
Denturist/Dental
Prosthetist Conference
Hamilton Island, Australia
30th Sept. - 3rd Oct. 2010
More information
Headlines
International Federation of Denturists Application for 2010 Membership
Applications for 2010 Membership will be reviewed by the Executive of the
IFD.
Download the Application Form.
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