Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition No. 4, 2015

Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition | 4/201506 WORLD NEWS Educated in Manchester and a dentist at heart, Dr Stefanos Morfis opened his first practice in Athens five years ago, right at the begin- ningof thedebt crisisinGreece.Five years later, he is selling it owing to the economic circumstances and is planning to register with the Gen- eral Dental Council in order to start working as a dentist in Britain. Dental Tribune had the opportunity to speak with him recently about the situation of dentists in his home country and the reasons he has chosen to leave. Dental Tribune: Dr Morfis, with the recent referendum on the austerity measures proposed by the EU and theresignationofMinisterofFinance Yanis Varoufakis, the debt crisis in Greecehasheatedupagain.Canyou describe what impact the crisis has had on dentistry in your country? Dr Stefanos Morfis: When one looks back 10–15 years, dentistry actually used to be quite a prosper- ousbusinessinGreece.Sincemany dentists received their education incountrieslikeEngland,Germany ortheNetherlands,thelevelofden- tistrywasquitehigh.Whatwehave seen during the last ten years or so is that fewer people are visiting the dentist because of their financial situation and they only go when they are already in pain. You have to know that, unlike in theUKorotherEuropeancountries, most dental care here is private. Since many cannot afford treat- ment in Greece, they travel to other countries, like Macedonia, where they receive cheaper, but lower quality, treatment. Recently, I heard of two patients who died after un- dergoingatoothextractionthere. Owing to the lack of money for treatment, caries levels are very high and, although we are fully aware of its benefits, there is very littlemoneyforanykindofpreven- tative dentistry. This is only done at university level. Consumer prices in Greece are soar- ing owing to the strict regulations. Have prices for dental treatment also gone up? In contrast to everything else in Greece, prices for dental treatment have actually gone down in the last five years. While one could charge €50 or more for a composite fil- ling in 2003/2004, today there are quite a number of dentists who are performing fillings for just €20. This trend is facilitated by the majority of patients, who are only looking at price and not at what kind of material is being put in their mouth. Do not ask even me whatkindoffillingstheyusesome- times! But how can one work pro- fessionally and ensure quality for patients at these prices? With having to compete at such low prices, can you actually live on your income as a dentist in Greece? Ten years ago, our income was almost double what it is now and the cost of living, materials and education were much cheaper. Living in Athens now is like living in London, but with five times less income. That is why many now meet their educational needs online by attending free webinars. What is really troubling is that more and more dentists are being forced to sell their practice for half the price. That includes me. Ironically,mypracticewillbetaken over by a dentist from Britain. You are planning to work in the UK. When are you going to leave? I am currently in the process of registering with the General Dental CouncilandplanningtoleaveGreece in November. I did my postgraduate studiesattheUniversityofManches- ter’s School of Dentistry and I have workedinseveralpracticesoverthere. The austerity measures will allow Greece to stay in the EU. In your opinion, is there any possibility of the situation improving? There are positive examples, like Ireland and Portugal who were able to recover from the recession a few years ago. I hope to be proven wrong, but I do not see how the situation can improve in Greece. Politicians come and go, but the people remain the same. If we do not drastically change how things are run in this country, in a few yearsIguessitwillbeimpossibleto recover. Would you go back if things start to improve? Iwouldliketo,butIthinkitwillbe verydifficult.Ihaveafamilytolook afternowandIwantthebestformy little son. At 35, I am at the best age tobeproductiveandachievethings in my live. I have always felt a love forthedentalprofessionandthere- fore want to dedicate my life to it. Thank you very much for taking the time and all the best for your future. “Idonotseehowthesituationcanimprove” An interview with Dr Stefanos Morﬁs, Greece RR R AD Dr Stefanos Morﬁs DTUK0415_06_Morfis 10.09.15 15:05 Seite 06 DTUK0415_06_Morfis 10.09.1515:05 Seite 06

Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition No. 4, 2015

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