German dental associations report on patient advisory services and professional exchange

The German Dental Association (BZÄK) and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists (KZBV) have released their seventh joint report on dental patient advisory services. Titled ‘Guiding seekers of advice through the system,’ the report analyzes data from 2024 and 2025 collected from 30 advisory centers across Germany. Dr. Romy Ermler, President of the BZÄK, noted that the service helps patients navigate the complex healthcare system, improve health literacy, and make informed decisions.

The report highlights a growing proportion of referral advice, emphasizing the need for well-connected structures to prevent unnecessary referral loops and shorten paths within the healthcare system.

In a separate professional development event, the 67th Bavarian Dental Convention took place in Munich from October 22 to 24, 2026. Organized by the Bavarian State Chamber of Dentists (BLZK) in cooperation with the KZVB and the German Society for Prosthodontics and Biomaterials (DGPro), the congress focused on the theme ‘Boundaries of Prosthetics.’ The event hosted over 1,000 dental professionals and included a keynote by Professor Dr. Andreas Beivers regarding challenges in health economics. Judith Gerlach, the Bavarian State Minister for Health, attended to emphasize the role of dentists in long-term oral health and prevention.