A growing demographic shift and an upcoming wave of retirements are putting unprecedented pressure on oral healthcare across the Netherlands.
According to a recent study by Rabobank, the country is facing a double aging effect that will significantly increase the workload for dental practices.
Over the next decade, the number of residents aged 65 and older will rise by 713,000, with more than 461,000 of them over the age of 75.
Rising demand among older patients
Unlike previous generations, older adults today are far more likely to keep their natural teeth alongside bridges and crowns rather than relying on full dentures.
This shift means older residents require far more ongoing professional care than in the past.
Data shows that an average person over 75 visited the dentist 3.2 times last year, compared to 1.6 visits in 2014.
By 2045, one in seven people living in the Netherlands will be older than 75, up from one in ten today.
Training capacity falls short
While patient needs are surging, the dental workforce is shrinking as older practitioners reach retirement age without enough new graduates to replace them.
The dental association KNMT has warned of a severe strain on the system, calling for a substantial increase in university training slots.
Currently, only 259 university places for dental studies are available across three Dutch universities, leaving applicants with less than a 10 percent chance of admission.
The government plans to increase this capacity to 290 places by 2027, but sector experts argue that at least 100 additional spots are needed to avert long-term shortages.
Reliance on foreign professionals
To fill the immediate gaps, the sector has increasingly relied on internationally trained dentists, who now make up 25 percent of the practitioners in the country.
Industry representatives caution that this reliance is not a permanent solution, as foreign practitioners can easily relocate if working conditions change.
New regulations regarding self-employed workers and stagnant fee structures are also making it harder for retiring dentists to hand over their practices or continue working part-time.
While rural regions are expected to feel the worst effects first, urban areas like Amsterdam will also see tighter appointment availability and longer wait times for specialized care.
