This is what National Assembly President Tsetska Tsacheva has said in her welcoming address to the participants in the national round table themed: “Problems in the Dental healthcare and their solutions in favor of patients”.

Among the existing problems, the chair of the parliament, has pointed to the lack of enough specialists and funds for dental healthcare and the low dental health culture among people.

She underscored that healthcare in general and the dental care in particular were priorities of the 43rd National Assembly. Tsetska Tsacheva has thanked the Healthcare Committee and especially Dr. Valentin Pavlov, a lawmaker, who took the initiative of holding the round table. 

Daniela Daritkova, the Healthcare Committee Chair, said it was important to consider at parliamentary level the existing problems in the dental healthcare field, to listen to expert opinions, make long-term decisions and formulate good policies.

Among the problems highlighted by the participants were the lack of enough dentists, particularly orthodontists, and specialists in oral surgery. According to data of 2013, among the 8 thousand registered dentists in Bulgaria there are only 45 orthodontists. There are many regions in the country in which orthodontists are completely unavailable. The specialty of orthodontist requires 3 years additional specialization away from practicing. The head of the Union of Bulgarian Dentists Dr. Borislav Milanov made a presentation on the topic: “Post Graduate Qualification and Continuing Education of Dentists”.

Prof. Dr. Milena Peneva spoke about “The problems of tooth cavities in children in Bulgaria – possible solutions”.

The national round table dedicated to the dental health care was held under the patronage of the parliamentary healthcare committee, on the initiative of the MP Dr. Valentin Pavlov. The round table was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Health, of Finance, of Labor and Social Policy, of Education and Science, of the Health Insurance Fund, of the Executive Agency “Health Audit”, of the Union of Bulgarian Dentists, the Union of Bulgarian Dental Technicians, the Dental Health Managers Association and of various Medical Dental Schools, professional and patient organizations and dentists.