Politics · Netherlands · 1 hr ago
The Netherlands will not add more dental school places despite a growing shortage
The Netherlands is facing a growing shortage of dentists, but Education Minister Rianne Letschert will not add more places in dentist training.
The minister says expanding the program would cost 30.1 million euros each year.
An independent workforce advisory body had recommended raising annual places to 386, from 270 now and 290 from next year.
The minister's decision rejects that recommendation, despite warnings that the shortage is expected to worsen.
One in four working dentists in the Netherlands trained abroad, and in Zeeland the share is one in two.
Instead, 28 more students can train as dental hygienists from the 2027-28 academic year, bringing the total to 381.
The government says hygienists will take on some work from dentists, but the next steps for increasing dentist training are not stated.
The Netherlands will not add more places at dental schools despite a growing shortage of dentists.
Education Minister Rianne Letschert said expanding dental education would cost €30.1 million each year.
The decision rejects an advisory body’s recommendation to increase annual places to 386.
There are currently 270 places, rising to 290 next year.
The government will add places for dental hygienist students from the 2027-2028 academic year.
- Who
- The Dutch government, acting through Education Minister Rianne Letschert, decided not to expand dental school places.
- What
- It will not adopt a recommendation to raise annual places to 386, though places will rise from 270 to 290 next year.
- When
- The minister is sending a letter to the House of Representatives on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- The minister said expanding dental education would cost €30.1 million per year.
Dutch government
Capacity Body and ACTA dental faculty
Expansion
Dutch government
The minister rejected the recommendation to increase annual dental school places to 386, saying expansion would cost €30.1 million per year.
Capacity Body and ACTA dental faculty
The Capacity Body recommended 386 places annually, and ACTA education director Etienne Verheijck said the recommendation should have been followed, at least in part.
Need for more places
Dutch government
The minister’s decision leaves the current plan at 270 places, rising to 290 next year.
Capacity Body and ACTA dental faculty
The Capacity Body has advised increasing places since 2009, citing future need; Verheijck said the schools have room to train more students.
The Capacity Body recommended raising dental school places to 386 per year.
Education Minister Rianne Letschert announced she would not add more dental school places, citing the cost of expansion.
The number of dental school places will rise from 270 to 290.
An additional 28 students will be allowed to start dental hygienist training, bringing the total to 381.
- Current dental school places
- 270 per year
- Planned dental school places
- 290 per year from next year
- Capacity Body recommendation
- 386 places per year
- Estimated expansion cost
- €30.1 million annually
- Dental hygienist places
- 381 total from the 2027-2028 academic year
What people are saying
zeer kostbaar
Wij vinden dit onverstandig. We hadden gehoopt dat het advies zou worden opgevolgd, desnoods voor een deel. Ja, het kost geld, maar de opleidingen hebben de ruimte om meer studenten op te leiden.
Sources
Related news
Nearly 5,000 Dutch students have debts of at least €100,000
Dutch official must review whether three pig farms broke tail-docking rules
Rising interest rates add pressure to heavily indebted governments
First stone laid for Agnetentuin redesign in Sittard
Dutch domestic violence hotline warns it cannot keep up with reports
Column says Pim Fortuyn’s rise cost politics a valuable tool
Dutch environmental law makes permits easier but oversight harder
Denk Vooruit bus to visit Lochem market on Wednesday
Dutch innovation policy at risk without a successor to growth fund
Two-way shipping resumes on the IJssel between Arnhem and Zutphen
Wadden Sea centre faces bankruptcy after public funding offer withdrawn
