FEATURES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DENTAL CARE SYSTEM IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

Introduction. Current transformations in healthcare systems, together with the growing share of paid dental services, have increased the importance of studying international models of dental care organization. The experience of European countries demonstrates the effectiveness of combining high standards of treatment quality, insurance-based financing mechanisms, and a preventive approach to oral healthcare, providing valuable guidance for improving the national healthcare system. Objective. To systematize and critically analyze contemporary scientific literature on organizational models of dental care systems in European countries. Materials and methods. A narrative literature review was conducted to summarize current scientific evidence. The literature search was performed using the international scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. In addition, official reports, regulatory documents of European healthcare systems, and publications of professional dental organizations were analyzed. The search strategy included the following keywords: “dental care system”, “organization of dental services”, “oral healthcare in Europe”, “public dental services”, “dental insurance systems”, and “access to dental care”. Publications addressing organizational models of dental care, financing mechanisms, and the accessibility of dental services in European countries were included in the review. Results. The study analyzed the patterns of development and functioning of dental care systems across European countries, considering their socioeconomic characteristics, healthcare policies, and organizational frameworks. Particular attention was paid to the evolution of international quality management systems, especially ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 standards, and their implementation in European healthcare institutions since the mid- 1990s. Contemporary health insurance models, financing mechanisms for dental care, the balance between public and private sectors, and the scope of dental services covered by public budgets and insurance schemes were also examined. Based on the reviewed literature, promising directions for improving the management of dental healthcare institutions were identified, including the integration of modern management approaches with professional clinical governance and the implementation of innovative organizational technologies Conclusions. The findings indicate that the sustainable development of dental care requires a balanced combination of public funding, private investment, and patient co-payment mechanisms. Such an approach contributes to the financial sustainability of the healthcare system, improves access to dental services, and ensures high-quality oral healthcare.