OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to analyse the changes in the number of practising dentists working in OECD countries in Europe.

METHODS: Data analysed were derived from the OECD Health Data database. European countries were categorised according to type of health care system: Bismarckian-like solidarity based health insurance system or Beveridge-like national health system. Our data relate to those practising dentists that were exclusively engaged in medical work during the period under examination in the given country. Years between 2000 and 2015 were analysed.

RESULTS: In 2000, the average number of dentists was 0.6/1,000 population in countries with a Bismarckian-like, and 0.8/1,000 population in countries with a Beveridge-like system. The difference was significant (p= 0.025). In 2015, the average number of dentists was 0.7/1,000 population in countries with a Bismarckian-like and 0.7/1,000 population in countries with a Beveridge-like system. The difference was not significant (p= 0.636). Between 2000-2015, the average number of practising dentists per 1,000 population increased from 0.6 to 0.7 (+21 %) in countries with a Bismarckian-likesystem while countries with a Beveridge-like health care experienced a decrease from 0.8 to 0.7 (-6 %). During the same period, the average number of practising dentists per 1,000 population in all OECD countries increased from 0.6 to 0.7 (+8 %). The highest increase in the number of dentists per 1,000 population in countries having the Bismarkian model, was found in Hungary (+88 %) and Luxembourg (+48 %), regarding countries having the Beveridge model the highest increase was seen in Latvia (+38 %) and Norway (+6 %).

CONCLUSIONS: During the period between 2000 and 2015, the number of practising dentists increased in countries based on the Bismarkian system while countries employing the Beveridge model witnessed a decrease. The difference was significant.