SNAP SHOT: SLOVENIA

Government and oral healthcare

The Republic of Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe, bordering the Alps and

the Adriatic Sea. There are four neighbouring adjacent countries: Austria, Italy, Croatia and Hungary. Slovenia was formerly part of the Republic of Yugoslavia (until June 1991), and proclaimed its independent constitution in December 1991. The country is a EU member since 2004. The constitutional system is a parliamentary democracy and the population of 2 million people (2008) comprises 88% Slovenes, 0.2% Italians, 0.4% Hungarians and 11.4% others. The o cial Language is Slovene. The majority of Slovenes are Roman Catholic.

The majority of the oral health services are organised in the same way as the general healthcare system. The dental services are delivered through the system of public clinics, municipal health centres or by private dentists. Public compulsory health insurance provides dental cover for all patients of 0 to 18 years of age, all removable and fixed appliances, and for adults, surgical items, some basic prosthodontic treatments, periodontal and con- servative treatment such as llings and endodontics. Some cover for this treatment is borne by the non-compulsory health insurance. Some treat- ments – such as for cosmetic treatments, porcelain crown and bridge and implants have to be paid for in full by the patient. There is no annual limit of treatment range for an individual patient. A full-time working dentist would normally have a list of 1,800 patients attending regularly. Oral re-examinations would normally be carried out for most adult patients every 9 months. In Slovenia about 7.6% of the public healthcare budget is spent on dentistry, although it is estimated that about 1.9 % is paid directly by patients for non- obligatory insurance, for dentistry, in addition.

Dentists	Year of data: 2008
Total Registered	1,637
In active practice	1,296
Dentist to population ratio*	1,563
Percentage female	63%
Quali ed overseas	63

The dental workforce is said to be decreasing as a high proportion of practising dentists are over 50 years of age.

Market out look

Slovenia is one the best economic performers in central and eastern Europe, with a GDP per capita in 2007 of 17,200 € equivalent in PPP of 22,000 €. Slovenia has enjoyed healthy growth gures for the past 8 years, averaging 4.2% annual GDP growth. GDP grew by 6.5% in 2007. Slovenia's economy is highly dependent on foreign trade. About two-thirds of

EDITORIAL

Slovenia's trade is with the EU. Additionally, the country has successfully penetrated markets to the south and east, including the former Soviet Union region. Today, Slovenia is faced with growing challenges. Much of the economy remains in state hands and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia is one of the lowest in the EU on a per capita basis. Taxes are relatively high, the labor market is often seen as in exible, and legacy industries are showing signs of increasing competitive pressures from China, India, and elsewhere. The current center-left government, elected in September 2008, announced that its priorities include passing measures to reduce the impact of the global nancial crisis and a social reform. Privatization is a lower priority. Slovenia is extremely sensitive to economic conditions in its main trading partners and changes in its international price competitiveness. Keeping labor costs in line with productivity is a key challenge for Slovenia's economic well-being. Services contributed the most to the national output in 2007, accounting for 63% of GDP. Industry and construction comprised 34.7% of GDP; and, agriculture, forestry, and shing accounted for 2.3% of GDP.

Distribution channels

Several distribution channels are open on the Slovene marketplace, including wholesaling and retailing, as well as franchising, joint ventures, and licensing. There are a large number of merchants, agents, intermediaries, wholesalers, and retailers available in Slovenia. Any rm may carry out both foreign and domestic trade. Slovenia’s major distribution centers are located in Brnik and Koper. The port of Koper is Slovenia’s only port and is located in the western part of the country on the Adriatic Sea. Airport Jože Pučnik is the nation’s largest commercial airport and is located in the center of the country, 20 kilometers north of the capital and largest city Ljubljana. Smaller distribution

centers can also be found in major cities such as Ljubljana and Maribor, the second largest city.

Dental Association:

The Medical Chamber of Slovenia Dalmatinova 10 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Tel: +386 1 307 2100 - Fax: +386 1 30 72 109 zdravniska.zbornica@zzs-mcs.si - www.zdravniskazbornica.si/

Useful websites:

www.poslovniportal.si/

http://ec.europa.eu/index_sl.htm

www.investslovenia.org/.

www.eubusiness.com/europe/slovenia

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm

www.mf.gov.si/angl/index.htm

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