New year, new amalgam ban: ÖGK and Dental Association in conversation!

New year, new amalgam ban: ÖGK and Dental Association in conversation!

On January 1, 2025, the law of amalgam ban comes into force in Austria, which brings a fundamental change in dental treatment. The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) and the Dental Association are faced with a challenging trial, which is due to take place on January 16, 2025. Your conversations should clarify which materials can be used as a replacement for amalgam. So far there is no consensus about the costs of the cash register, which the ÖGK considers as problematic. According to a report by the "courier", the ÖGK expressed optimistic expectations regarding these negotiations, but the clinics are faced with a difficult decision because they are dependent on a solution.

One of the proposed materials is alkasit, a new filling material tested in cash ambulatories, for which the ÖGK would be willing to pay 20 percent more than before for amalgam -free fillings. However, the dental association insists on glass ionomer cement, which is low and is only accepted as free of charge for patients. The differences between the ÖGK and the dental association already led to a deficit in the negotiations. The ÖGK continued to criticize the lack of willingness to cooperate by the Dental Association, because only 39 of almost 2,800 contract dentists have accepted individual contracts. However, an agreement with the BVAEB in the last month was assessed as a positive sign, where glass ionomer cement and alkasit were also accepted as a cash benefit, which signals a possible opening for further negotiations.

Important negotiations are due to

The health area in Austria is faced with a change, and the amalgam ban brings with it significant changes, as is the ÖGK . While the negotiations are pending on January 16, the effects on the insured and the creation of a solid framework for dental treatments are of crucial importance. An agreement is indispensable to regulate the treatment costs sustainably and to design the transition phase for all those affected. The upcoming talks could be groundbreaking and influence the future dental treatment landscape in Austria.

at a time when the topic of health is becoming increasingly important, the efforts of the ÖGK to find a solution acceptable for patients are essential. The current developments are closely observed from many sides because they have the potential to significantly change the quality of dental care. Also the Kleine Zeitung reports on the upcoming negotiations and its importance for patient care in Austria.