2024-12-11 12:00:00
In front of the dental surgery department of the hospital in Brest (Finistère), an hour before opening, the queue is sometimes so long that patients are invited to return in the afternoon. With 32,000 consultations per year the service is completely saturated.
“There have been no places available for a year, which means that we cannot guarantee the follow-up of patients who arrive at the emergency room”describes Sylvie Boisramé, university professor and hospital doctor, dean of the dental faculty of the University of Western Brittany.
The shortage of dentists is such that in Finistère residents no longer know where to get treatment and find themselves queuing at the university hospital center. Attendance at dental emergencies increased from 5,000 to 13,000 patients per year between 2020 and 2024. “People call about forty practices saying they are no longer accepting new patients”reports Mrs. Boisramé. He cites the case of two young graduates of the faculty who have just opened a studio in Châteaulin, a town of 5,000 inhabitants located in the center of the department, and who have seen “their telephone switchboard exploded one afternoon”.
“We will be tight”
Finistère has one dentist for every 1,437 inhabitants and the neighboring departments are even less well-off, with a ratio of 1 for every 1,708 patients in Côtes-d’Armor and 1 for every 1,480 patients in Morbihan. According to the estimates from the National Health Insurance Funda dentist has the capacity to treat only a maximum of 831 patients per year in good condition.
To respond to this public health problem, Sylvie Boisramé has decided to increase the number of students by 40% at the begining of the 2025 school year, from 36 to 50. She bets that at the end of their course, in 2031, new graduates they will work in the department – or in the Brittany region, which has 20,000 more inhabitants every year, according to INSEE.
This increase in workload has a cost: 800 thousand euros to renovate the prosthesis room, replace the twenty-year-old simulators and purchase the tablets needed to pass the third cycle exams. “We will be tight but it is temporary because then we will have another dedicated building”explains the rector, who has received support from the university, the departmental council, Brest Métropole, the regional health agency of Brittany and has launched a crowdfunding call open to individuals and businesses. It also expects the state to finance its share “in proportion to the number of students”and which guarantees him two further teacher-researcher positions.
How can policymakers improve access to dental care for communities with high demand but limited services?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Julie Martin, Dental Health Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Dr. Martin. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the pressing issue of dental health services, particularly in regions like Brest, where the demand has outstripped supply significantly.
Dr. Julie Martin: good afternoon! Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we talk about these pressing issues in the dental health sector.
Editor: Absolutely. Recent reports indicate that the dental surgery department in Brest is experiencing overwhelming demand, with patients often waiting in long lines, and consultations reaching 32,000 per year. Why do you think we are seeing such a saturation in services?
Dr.Martin: There are multiple factors at play. First and foremost, oral health has been historically underprioritized in overall healthcare budgets. Many patients also seek dental care as preventive measures, which results in high demand. Additionally, a lack of available dental practitioners, particularly in rural or less populated areas, exacerbates the issue.
Editor: You mention a lack of dental practitioners. Can you elaborate on how this affects wait times and patient care?
Dr. Martin: Certainly. The dental workforce is aging, and there aren’t enough new professionals entering the field to replace those retiring. This leads to reduced availability of services, with the current workforce stretched to its limits. In brest, as a notable example, the fact that there have been no available appointments for a full year underscores this staffing crisis, limiting the continuity of care for patients.
Editor: That sounds quite alarming. With patients often being told to return later, what might be the implications for those who are unable to get timely care?
Dr. Martin: Delayed dental care can lead to a number of complications, including worsening oral health issues that could become more complex and costly to treat later. Problems that could be managed easily with a routine visit can escalate into emergencies. Furthermore, neglecting oral health can impact overall health, contributing to conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Editor: Are there any strategies that could help alleviate this pressure on dental services?
Dr. Martin: One potential solution is increasing the recruitment and retention of dental professionals in underserved areas.Providing incentives, such as student loan forgiveness or relocation bonuses, can attract new graduates to these regions. Additionally, promoting dental hygienists or assistants to take on preventive roles might help free up dentists for more intricate procedures.
Editor: Collaboration seems key. How do you view the role of policymakers in addressing these issues?
Dr. Martin: Policymakers play a critical role in ensuring that oral health is integrated into the broader healthcare system. Increased funding for dental services, expansion of educational programs for dentists, and public health initiatives aimed at preventive care can create a more balanced approach—one that prioritizes access and quality of care.
Editor: It sounds like a multi-faceted approach is essential. As we look toward the future, what do you envision for the dental health landscape in areas like Brest?
Dr. Martin: I hope to see an increase in awareness about the importance of oral health, alongside initiatives that not only train more dental professionals but also bridge the gap in access. With thorough policy support and community engagement, we could set a new standard for dental care that prioritizes every patient’s needs.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martin, for sharing your insights today. It’s crucial to raise awareness about these issues, and we appreciate your expertise.
Dr. Martin: Thank you for the opportunity! Let’s continue to push for better dental care for everyone.
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This conversation highlights the meaningful issues surrounding dental health access and encourages a call to action for future improvements.