WILLEMSTAD - The board of the Curaçao Dental Society (CDS) has expressed concerns following reports that Minister of Health, Environment, and Nature, Javier Silvania, has sworn in 23 dentists, allowing them to practice in the community. The minister stated that this measure was necessary due to the current admissions system's inadequate functioning. It is reported that many of these dentists do not have a Curaçaoan background.
Under current legislation, only dentists who have completed their education in the Netherlands and possess a Dutch diploma are permitted to work in Curaçao. Contrary to the minister's claims, there is indeed a procedure for legalizing dentists trained outside the Netherlands. The CDS points out that dentists seeking to practice in Curaçao must pass an examination administered by a committee appointed by the minister via a national decree. This committee has recently conducted several exams. According to the CDS, the 23 newly accepted dentists are candidates who either did not pass this exam or did not take it at all.
The minister has previously announced intentions to revise this policy. However, it appears he has preemptively set aside the examination process (both theoretical and practical). There are indications that the minister may have established a new examination committee, resulting in the existence of two committees. The CDS is unclear about the status of this new committee, as the original one is still operational, raising questions about the new committee's authority to abolish the exam as suggested by the minister.
The CDS has made attempts to engage in dialogue with the minister. However, their delegation showed up twice for scheduled meetings, only to find the minister absent at the agreed-upon times and locations. Moreover, there has been no consultation with other stakeholders regarding the potential impacts of this measure on patient care in Curaçao, separate from the legality of the steps taken.
Latin dentists sworn in by Minister Silvania
In the past, previous governments implemented a moratorium to prevent unchecked growth and rising costs in healthcare. This legislation, still in effect, stipulates that only Curaçaoan citizens are eligible to take the exam. Non-Curaçaoan dentists must obtain a motivated exemption from the minister to participate, as required by law. For many years, around 50 dentists have been practicing in Curaçao. Research conducted in the past has provided recommendations regarding healthcare professions on the island. Given that Curaçao's population has not significantly increased in recent years, a drastic rise in healthcare providers is seen as undesirable, particularly considering Curaçaoan students who wish to return to the island after completing their studies.
The current head of the department, who is also the Inspector-General of Health, recently conducted a calculation on his own initiative, without consulting stakeholders, using the standards of the Netherlands to determine the required number of dentists in Curaçao. This resulted in nearly doubling the number of needed dentists. The CDS finds the process surrounding this so-called research highly questionable and irresponsible. It is possible that the minister was influenced by these figures, leading to the admission of a large group of dentists under unclear conditions.
The CDS is urgently requesting the minister to clarify the policies being pursued by his ministry regarding the admission of dentists.