By means of: Olaf Knook
32 minutes ago
General
ZEELAND – In a letter to the government, the Province once again draws attention to the growing shortage of dentists in Zeeland. This letter follows a motion unanimously adopted by the Provincial Council. Despite repeated requests from the Province for attention to this problem, concrete solutions have so far been lacking.
The growing shortage of dentists in Zeeland is an urgent problem that has the attention of the Province. This problem is especially visible when compared with other parts of the Netherlands. The Province of Zeeland has repeatedly contacted the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) about this issue. However, no concrete solutions have been found to date.
Deputy Harry van der Maas: “After several calls from Zeeland, it is really time for the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and OCW to work on a training location in the south-west of the Netherlands. That could help Zeeland tackle the major dental shortage. Time is running out, we have to move on. Zeelanders want good dental practices in the area!”
Additional dental training and aging
With only 39 dentists per 100,000 inhabitants in Zeeland, while North Holland has 95 dentists per 100,000 inhabitants, it is clear that there is a significant difference. In addition, it is expected that the number of dentists in Zeeland will decrease in the coming years due to an aging population. Some of the dentists in Zeeland come from abroad and often settle temporarily in the Netherlands. This causes concern about the continuity of oral care in Zeeland.
A possible solution proposed by the Province is the establishment of a dental training program in the south-west of the Netherlands. In practice, many dentists continue to work in the area where they trained after their training. Training in Rotterdam could therefore contribute to increasing the number of dentists in Zeeland. According to the Province, setting up learning practices in Zeeland can also be a valuable addition.
In conversation with Erasmus MC
The letter to the Ministries of Health, Welfare and Sport and OCW emphasizes the urgent need for a quick and effective solution. Deputy Harry van der Maas, together with representatives of the Erasmus MC, wants to discuss this with the responsible ministers in the short term to address this problem and take concrete actions.
