Dr. Óscar Castro Reino will remain at the helm of the General Council of Dentists of Spain after being re-elected president, obtaining 59 out of 67 votes cast by the Official Colleges of Dentists at the last Ordinary Assembly.
The Council emphasizes that numerous initiatives have been promoted during the term that is now concluding, "always with the objectives of placing the profession in the position it deserves and improving the oral health of the population."
In this regard, it recalls that the presidents of AEDE, SEDO, SECIB, SEPA, SEPES, and SEOP have submitted the application memorandums contemplated in Royal Decree 589/2022 to the Ministry of Health, which regulates the creation of new specialist titles and areas of specific competence in Health Sciences.
"This progress reflects the joint commitment of scientific societies, the Conference of Deans of Dentistry, and the entire Collegiate Organization to the development and recognition of dental specialties in Spain," the Council adds.
Similarly, it highlights the launch of the first Academy of Dental Sciences of Spain, based in Murcia, which it describes as a historic milestone for Dentistry. At the same time, it indicates that institutional activity has been strengthened through meetings with other health councils and organizations such as ATA, as well as through participation in health and legal congresses and meetings with representatives of medicine and pharmacy to discuss issues such as private electronic prescriptions.
For the Council, another of the most significant achievements of this period has been the increase in budgetary allocations for the portfolio of Dentistry services of the National Health System, aimed at the most vulnerable groups.
"Furthermore, the international projection of Spanish Dentistry has been strengthened thanks to various initiatives promoted by the Council. Among these, the approval of the proposal for Spanish to be accepted as an official language of the ERO stands out," it adds.
Pending challenges for the dental profession
Despite the progress made in recent years, the Council warns that the dental sector continues to face "significant challenges". Among them, it cites the defense of professional competencies, the fight against the illegal practice of dentistry and professional oversupply, as well as the need to move forward with a health advertising law and complete the approval of dental specialties.
To face these challenges, Castro calls for "unity and the support of the provincial colleges and boards. It is important to set aside differences that hinder consensus and common progress".