After the resignation of the community’s two dentists, Olivier de Beule returns to the CCPP’s commitment to health and announces the arrival of a new professional.
The information had fallen, like a screed of lead, during the community council in mid-September: the two dentists hired a few months earlier by the Community of communes of Plateau Picard (CCPP) resigned. The couple worked in a dental practice attached to the Saint-Just-en-Chaussée health center. “The community has made health a strong focus at the end of this mandate. This resignation, which I do not consider to be our fault, represents a failure because I am convinced that we did everything in our power“, bluntly announces Olivier de Beule, president of the CCPP.
Very bad news for the inhabitants of the area but also for the elected officials who believed a lot in this installation. Especially since the story between these two health professionals and the Picardy Plateau had started well.
“When we were hired in February 2024, with employment contracts for community employees, we were very happy to see two young dentists, from the region, settling professionally in Saint-Just-en-Chausséeremembers the local elected official with a smile. Shortly before the holidays, they asked us to review their way of working because they realized that they only had 5 weeks of leave per year. Finally, in August, they announced their decision to resign. I suggested that we meet at the start of the school year but that didn’t change anything.” If the final appointments were made at the end of September, others made in the following weeks were canceled.
“More than acceptable” working conditions for the dental couple
A sudden turnaround, which the first councilor of Gannes did not expect. Especially since the CCPP had put in place the means to ensure a certain comfort for this couple of dentists. Both had a dental assistant to help them on a daily basis and a receptionist took care of the appointments and administrative part. “We made staff available to them, who were the responsibility of the community, as were the consumables they used during their care. The dental center was brand new, we were even going to install a third chair. They were in a very comfortable situation”underlines Olivier de Beule.
Not to mention the salaries: €6,000 and €6,300 net for 33 hours and 35 hours per week respectively. Substantial remuneration for the community. “We knew very well that this was not a service on which the community would be profitable straight away, at least in the short term, but we wanted to invest to gain momentum. It’s a service for the population to find a dentist in the area without traveling miles.”
Keeping the door open for departing healthcare professionals
According to Olivier de Beule, this decision was motivated by the desire of the two young dentists to work “only on vacation”. “I was not against it but I wanted compensation such as ensuring the opening of the dental office at least three days a week and that they announce an opening schedule over six months. I also agreed to an hourly rate of €40 per hour.” Unfortunately, this proposal will fall on deaf ears because health professionals have, for the moment, not followed up. “Today, we must remain cautious and I do not wish to incriminate them. If tomorrow they want to come back to us, I don’t want to close the door to them but we will see the conditions.”
Committed investments
If this resignation may seem anecdotal, it is the symptom of a deeper problem: medical desertification. In the Oise, the territories are not spared and the CCPP is far from being an isolated case. A theme discussed in particular during the visit of Hugo Gilardi, general director of ARS Hauts-de-France, in October. And this situation does not only concern dentists, residents generally struggle to seek treatment.
“In Oise, one in four people do not have a GP, says Olivier de Beule. It’s not reassuring to see that we are not an exception but rather the norm. When we write to all the high authorities, they respond off topic. Ensuring the health of fellow citizens is a sovereign mission but as the State cannot do what is necessary, it is necessary for communities like ours to take its place.”
From now on, the CCPP wants to believe in its lucky star. “We have regular contact with health professionals and I am convinced that in a short time, things will unblock”hopes Olivier de Beule. In September, the community hired Pascaline, who will continue the work started on the local health contract. The agents who previously worked with the two resigned dentists support him.
At the same time, to attract young professionals, elected officials travel to schools and universities to present this new practice of the profession. “Students are not necessarily aware that there are other paths apart from the private sector and the hospital. We also realize that in their curriculum, they do not have too much information so we go to meet them to promote the territory.”
In addition, the CCPP has made numerous investments to promote their facilities, both in the professional and private spheres with, for example, easier access to crèches. In addition, on the health home side, its current occupants could soon change status. In any case, this is what Olivier de Beule and the community want. “Currently they are in Sisa (Interprofessional Society for Ambulatory Care, editor’s note) and we would like to offer them office rental in the same location but turnkey, with secretary. This is currently under discussion”confides the chosen one.
Hope remains
Optimism and efforts which ended up paying off since a new dentist started work on November 18, working 3.5 days a week. Originally from the Paris region, he will join the Saint-Just-en-Chaussée medical center as an employee. A small relief for Olivier de Beule who, however, remains worried about access to health care for his constituents. “The road is still long”he confides.
Emeline Bertel
