“We are shocked by the funding changes; patients will feel the consequences”

Croatia’s contracted dentists say new primary healthcare financing rules have left them facing a sharp disadvantage compared with other providers.

MODDUS HR, an association representing almost one-quarter of contracted dentists, said the changes did not deliver an increase comparable to those received by other primary healthcare sectors. The group pointed to a statement made publicly in June by Health Minister Irena Hrstić, who said the value of a standard primary-care team was increasing by an average of 18 percent.

The association said dental teams received an increase of only 7.45 percent. It said the gap was especially clear when dental teams were compared with general or family medicine teams without specialization, which had historically started from the same baseline values.

“Health Minister Irena Hrstić publicly stated in June that the value of a standard team in primary healthcare was increasing by an average of 18 percent. However, the value of a dental team increased by only 7.45 percent. The difference is especially clear when comparing a dental team with a general or family medicine team without specialization, which have always had equal starting values. Following the changes introduced in June 2026, the value of a dental team was reduced by about 12,000 euros annually, or about 1,000 euros per month,” MODDUS HR said.

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Health Minister Irena Hrstić publicly stated in June that the value of a standard team in primary healthcare was increasing by an average of 18 percent. However, the value of a dental team increased by only 7.45 percent. The difference is especially clear when comparing a dental team with a general or family medicine team without specialization, which have always had equal starting values. Following the changes introduced in June 2026, the value of a dental team was reduced by about 12,000 euros annually, or about 1,000 euros per month.