CAD/CAM - international magazine of digital dentistry

I feature _ interview _Supported by growth in major markets like Germany,salesofdentalequipmentinEuropehave proven relatively stable since the last IDS took place in 2011. CAD/CAM had the opportunity to speakwithArseusLabCEOandthePresidentofthe Association of Dental Dealers in Europe (ADDE), Dominique Deschietere, Belgium, about the cur- rent state of the industry, and the challenges that lie ahead. _CAD/CAM: Last year, the European Union announcedtherevisionofitsmedicaldeviceregu- lations.Isthisgoingtoaffectthedentalindustry? Dominique Deschietere: The diversity and po- tential for innovation in our industry contribute to improved dental procedures and prosthetics, from which the patient can only benefit. As the dental industryandthehealth-caresectoringeneralpro- duce a wide range of products, from extremely so- phisticated devices to consumables, we as distrib- utors need to be vigilant regarding medical device regulations.Theregulatoryframeworkprovidedby the EU for market access, international business relations and legal agreements is in the patient’s best interest. However, we also think that these matters should be adapted to the dental distribu- tor market. _Why do the current regulations need to be changedatall? The main reason for the revision is that current EUlegislationdatesfromthelate1990sandiscon- sideredinsufficientbymanyforourrapidlychang- ingmarket.Inaddition,somememberstatesofthe EU have tended to interpret some of these rules broadly, which is not necessarily to the benefit of the patient. It also makes competition uneven for those distributors who adhere to the regulations. Therefore,itisessentialtoimposenewregulations in order to increase traceability of dental products within and beyond the borders of the EU. _According to a 2011 survey by your organi- sation, sales of dental materials and equipment in Europe remained relatively stable. What is the currentstateoftheindustryonthecontinent? Preliminary figures from our latest survey of the industry show that, except for a few countries, the market has achieved good sales. There might be a slight decrease in traditional product seg- ments, as old technologies are replaced by new onesbutitisstilltooearlytoprovideaclearpicture on the current market situation. Unfortunately, not all figures from our 2012 industry survey to be discussed during the IDS are available yet. However, we would like to invite everyone to our presentation to be held on Wednesday, 13 March, at 16:00 in the Blue Room at the Koelnmesse fair- ground. _While sales of sundries and technical services increased slightly in 2011, equipment sales de- creased by over 2 per cent. Have dentists become morewaryofinvestments? Socio-demographic developments and chang- ing patterns of reimbursements by public health services and insurers have had an impact on pa- tients’ health-care spending. As a result of the financial crisis, people have had difficulty access- ing capital through bank loans, renting, etc. which means they have less money available for medical and dental care. Consequently, dental practition- ers and laboratories throughout the continent have become rather reluctant to make large in- vestments. Dominique Deschietere Digital technology and CAD/CAM determine market development in Europe Author_Daniel Zimmermann, Germany 42 I CAD/CAM 1_2013