The discussion included Miguel Pavão, Dean of the Order of Dentists (OMD), Manuel Pizarro, doctor and former Minister of Health, Alberto Machado, MP for the PSD Parliamentary Group, Mariana Vieira da Silva, MP for the PS Parliamentary Group, and Óscar Gaspar, president of the Portuguese Association of Private Hospitals (APHP). The event took place this Friday, October 23rd.
Miguel Pavão highlighted the need for political prioritization of oral health and the opportunity the health pact offers for synergies between governments and leaders. He stressed that the dental medicine career in the SNS is a "principle" for retaining professionals, but more is needed to address the challenges of territorial cohesion.
Manuel Pizarro emphasized the unanimous approval of the career in the Assembly of the Republic and the pressure for its implementation, stating that "it is not possible to start 2027 without clarifying what will be done in oral health". He advocated for 2027 to be "the year of change", with a clear strategy and measurable goals.
Alberto Machado, PSD MP, expressed the expectation that the budgetary process will "translate into practice what has become law" and that tenders will be opened to ensure stability. He also spoke about the new oral health check, highlighting the "prosthesis check" and the central role of Local Health Units (ULS) in its management.
Mariana Vieira da Silva, PS MP, defended the need for consensus on territorial cohesion in health, which includes not only placing professionals in areas with low populations but also the shortage of family doctors in urbanized areas. She proposed a strategy for occupying media space and three consensuses: on the construction of facilities, new territorial cohesion, and the role of ULS.
Óscar Gaspar, from APHP, criticized the "short-sightedness in planning", which favors the media over the structural, and the "partisan" discussion. He assured that private hospitals "can do more with the SNS".
Miguel Pavão concluded that "there will be no transformation process without a paradigm shift" and that the "economic issue is fundamental" to demonstrate the impact of oral health on general health and society.
