The legislation outlines three career ranks: Assistant Dentist, Advisor Dentist, and Senior Advisor Dentist. Entry into the career path begins at the Assistant Dentist rank (generalist level), with career progression contingent upon obtaining specialist certification, ideally in public oral health or hospital dentistry.

Admission to the Advisor Dentist rank requires six years of active practice as an Assistant Dentist or holding specialist certification. For the Senior Advisor Dentist rank, the requirements are four years of active practice as an Advisor Dentist and specialist certification, preferably in public oral health or hospital dentistry.

The legislation, promulgated last week by the President of the Republic following unanimous approval by the Assembly of the Republic, stipulates that these professionals will be integrated into the oral health services of Local Health Units (ULS).

Due to the lack of a specific career path, most of the approximately 150 dentists working in the public sector have been hired by Local Health Units (ULSs) as independent contractors. At the same time, the remainder are placed in general career categories, such as that of senior technician.

Dentists currently in service, whether in the senior technician career path or equivalent roles, will be integrated into the “Assistant Dentist” category within the dedicated dentist career structure; this integration is to be formalised within three months via a joint order issued by the government officials responsible for Health, Finance, and Public Administration.

Positions and remuneration will be established through collective labour agreements, taking into account the special nature of the career path, the distinct technical and scientific expertise involved in dentistry, and the specific duties associated with each category, as well as the “need to attract and retain professionals within the National Health Service (SNS),” according to the published text.

Under the legislation, the incentive scheme regarding geographic mobility to underserved areas, originally applicable to physicians, also applies to dental surgeons within the special career track.

When the law was passed in parliament, the Portuguese Dental Association (OMD) hailed the integration of these professionals into the National Health Service (SNS) as a “decisive step forward” in elevating the status of dentistry.

At the time, the Association cautioned that the measure’s actual impact would depend on its implementation, with its President concluding that “the true success of this law will be measured by the ability to place more dental surgeons in the SNS, retain them across the country, and ensure a stronger, more accessible public oral health response for the Portuguese people.”