At the end of 2023, two dental surgeons specializing in orthodontics undertook to open a secondary practice in Saint-Brieuc, we learned West France. The project was about to be completed. It was to see the light of day in the old Orange building, opposite the station. However, the two practitioners suffered a refusal last February from the departmental council of the order.
A decision which did not go down well with the two dentists, who initially saw it as nothing more than a simple formality, and which also irritated the City and the Agglomeration.
A necessary exemption
Already associated in a practice in Dinan, the two orthodontists therefore had to request authorization to also practice in Saint-Brieuc, which was refused.
“Not a priority” in Saint-Brieuc
So, what are the reasons for this refusal? Dr Jean-François Ambard, president of the council of the order, recalls that the reasons for the decision are “secret”. Although he recognizes that the Saint-Brieuc sector lacks orthodontists “like everywhere”, he explains that “this specialty is not a priority with the installation of two orthodontists in Plérin”.
An explanation that does not satisfy the mayor of Saint-Brieuc, Hervé Guihard. “I do not accept that they prioritize the needs of the population instead of us. Plus, four other dentists would have been even better.”
“Côtes-d’Armor is particularly poorly off, particularly compared to Ille-et-Vilaine,” adds one of the two dentists leading the project. The Department has in fact fifteen dentists specialized in correcting bad postures of the jaws and teeth for around 600,000 inhabitants, a much lower ratio than in Ille-et-Vilaine, but better than in Finistère. Furthermore, almost no orthodontists are accepting new patients.
“No one came to see us work”
Another reason for refusal: the jury’s doubts about the ability of the two partners to absorb new patients, without compromising on the quality of care. “It’s already a big practice in Dinan,” explains Dr. Jean-François Ambard.
“We had a social security check recently and the office is clean from clean. From the order side, no one has ever come to see us work,” replies one of the two partners, specifying that the recruitment of “three collaborating orthodontists” was planned. “It wasn’t money, our motivation. We have fun in our profession and we wanted to develop digital technology even further, to work with new people,” he adds.
The national council will be requested by Thierry Simelière
It is still possible for the partners to appeal to the national council of the order, although their lawyer has advised them against it. “She told us it was a waste of time and energy. »
Still, Thierry Simelière, vice-president of the agglomeration in charge of health, does not intend to give up the matter. “I am going to write to the national council of the order of dentists and contact the primary health insurance fund. » If the elected official “believes in the independence of the council of the order”, he emphasizes that “politicians also have their role to play. »
Hervé Guihard also remains attentive, and expresses his disappointment with the way things have turned out. “When we have such a difficult territory, we expect the mobilization of all stakeholders, including the corporatists. »
