I often get asked by foreign dentists if they can practice implantology in the Netherlands with a diploma from another country.
Therefore I have written this article with a summary of information regarding the subject, as well about the steps to follow to be able to practice implantology in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, if/when you want to know more about the subject, please consult the official websites referred along the article.
Can I practice implantology in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma?
To be able to practice implantology in a Dutch dental clinic, the first step is the recognition and validation of the foreign diploma by the clinic itself.
The dentist must be able to provide the documentation regarding the program of the course/courses they attended, with both theoretical and practical parts learned, as well as a documentation of the clinical cases performed until that moment (the cases and the follow-up records).
In the case the clinic wants the foreign diploma to be checked and recognized, the dentist can have it analyzed by Nuffic, which is the ‘Dutch Organization for Internationalization in Education’.
When I have a diploma of an implantology course, am I seen/recognized as a specialist in the Netherlands?
To be officially recognized as a specialist for implantology in the Netherlands, you need to be registered as such at the official Association for Oral Implantology: the NVOI.
To become a recognized member of the NVOI, the institution has very specific set of rules and requirements, such as:
– A presentation of a minimum of cases a year (all documentation involved included);
– The clinics where the implantologist works needs to follow all the official hygiene and radiology protocols;
– There is visitation of clinics by fellow specialists, in order to evaluate, inspect and help in the improvement of both clinic, main treatment provider (the implantologist) and all the personnel involved during the process of the treatment (dental assistants, mouth hygienists)
– Attendance of at least 15 days of courses regarding the expertise, within a 5 year frame.
Is it mandatory to be a member of the NVOI to be able to place implants in Dutch clinics?
To be able to perform the chirurgical placement of implants in NL it’s NOT mandatory to be a member of the NVOI.
Then why should I apply to be a member of the NVOI if I can work as an implantologist anyway?
Some parts of dental procedures can/may be partially paid or reimbursed by the insurance companies, but only when the clinic and/or dentist have a contract signed with one or more of the insurance companies. In order to get that contract you have to be either registered at the NVOI or you have to fulfill the criteria in terms of implants + prosthetics (sub and supra-structures) placed in the course of 3 years.
If that is not the case, the patient needs to pay the full price of the treatment.
At the website of NVOI and of the multiple insurances patients can see who and where the specialists are located, giving them the possibility to choose their implantologist.
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As a personal note to the dentists that wish to apply their knowledge in implantology in the Netherlands, I would advise them to follow a course in the Netherlands at a certain point.
That way they can learn from fellow colleagues and teachers how the ruling works, what the protocols are, what the specific codes to be declared are and specially how to deal with the insurance cover.
If you have any more questions, contact me here.
I am looking forward in seeing you in the Netherlands. ????
