Free dental practice expands from Havelte to Amsterdam
Dutch dental professionals can volunteer for free care expansion while addressing workforce shortages and equity gaps.
Free dental care for low-income families expands
Bij Nader Inzien, a free dental practice in Havelte, plans to open a second location in Amsterdam. The practice provides dental care at no cost to families with low incomes through partnerships between foundations, companies, dental technicians, dentists, assistants, and retired dentists. The initiative is now recruiting four retired or semi-retired dentists, or specialist dentists such as endodontists, implantologists, and orthodontists, to staff the Amsterdam location.
How the Havelte model has performed
After one year of operation, the Havelte practice has met expectations, according to Fiona Harmsen, a cultural sociologist and co-founder. The practice has gained regional recognition and is growing weekly. Two dentists have completed BIG re-registration to return to practice, contributing to solutions for the Dutch dentist shortage. Harmsen notes that retired dentists bring entrepreneurial experience, responsibility, and the mental space to offer anxious patients calm and trust, which often eliminates dental fear. The financial model, which removes profit incentives, allows time for patients who might otherwise avoid care.
Challenges and next steps
The practice has faced obstacles including structural financing questions, how retired dentists balance engagement with retirement, and the burden of BIG re-registration for older professionals. Reaching the target population remains an ongoing focus. Expansion to Amsterdam depends entirely on recruiting sufficient volunteer dentists. Interested candidates can contact info@tandartspraktijkbijnaderinzien.nl.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bij Nader Inzien and where does it operate?
Bij Nader Inzien is a free dental practice in Havelte that provides dental care to families with low incomes. It operates through partnerships between foundations, companies, dental professionals, and retired dentists. A second location in Amsterdam is being planned.
Who is Bij Nader Inzien looking for to staff the Amsterdam location?
The practice is recruiting four retired or semi-retired dentists, or specialist dentists such as endodontists, implantologists, and orthodontists, to work as volunteers at the new Amsterdam practice.
How has the Havelte practice performed in its first year?
The Havelte practice has met expectations, gained regional recognition, and grows weekly. Two dentists completed BIG re-registration to return to practice. The practice helps address the Dutch dentist shortage while providing care to patients who would otherwise lack access.
What challenges has Bij Nader Inzien faced?
The practice has struggled with structural financing, balancing retired dentists' involvement and free time, and the complexity of BIG re-registration for older professionals. Reaching the target population of low-income families remains an ongoing challenge.
Why do retired dentists work well in this model?
Retired dentists bring entrepreneurial experience and responsibility. Without financial incentives, they can offer anxious and vulnerable patients time, calm, and trust, which often reduces dental fear and improves care outcomes.
