Brussels (Brussels Morning – August 24, 2023) Vlaams Belang has voiced regret over the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of diplomas held by Romanian dentists practicing in Belgium. Dominiek Sneppe, a Member of Parliament, has criticized Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke for failing to produce concrete outcomes from discussions on the matter, highlighting the potential risks to patient health.
Are Quality Concerns Justified?
The Flemish Dental Association has raised serious concerns regarding the validity of diplomas held by Romanian dentists practicing in Belgium. Sneppe has drawn attention to the widespread knowledge that these diplomas are obtainable through questionable means in Romanian private schools. She emphasizes the necessity for foreign dental qualifications to undergo rigorous scrutiny for recognition in Belgium, warning that the current system of automatic recognition for EU dentists fosters opportunities for deception and corruption.
MP Freya Van den Bossche’s diploma acquisition
Sneppe has raised eyebrows by suggesting a political angle to the issue, questioning the Socialist Party’s commitment to diploma authenticity. Drawing parallels to past controversies involving Socialist politicians, Sneppe highlights the need for transparency, particularly in light of unresolved debates surrounding Freya Van den Bossche‘s diploma acquisition. Despite political tensions, Sneppe emphasizes the paramount importance of maintaining high standards in dental care to safeguard public health.
“It is therefore particularly annoying that Vandenbroucke’s discussions with the Romanian authorities have not yet led to any results. He has nothing more to say in the media than that ‘work is being done on a solution’ and that the discussions are ‘going constructively’,” Sneppe concludes. “But of course the patients don’t buy anything for that. Romania should have banned and punished the shameful sale of diplomas today.”
