Collaboration within Dutch oral healthcare practices Organisation and roles in daily practice

Collaboration within oral healthcare practices has changed in recent decades. Practices have expanded and corporate dental companies emerged. However, the background of this col-laboration, its shaping factors, and impact remained unclear. This thesis addresses this gap through three key questions: How have changes in professional practice in oral healthcare manifested in recent decades in the Netherlands? How is collaboration in the provision of oral healthcare shaped in daily practice? How are preventive and curative procedures distributed among the various oral healthcare providers within practices?
Literature shows that since 1995, oral healthcare professions and practices expanded, driven by legislation and regulations, demographic shifts, and societal changes. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews identified leadership style and collaborative goals as key factors shaping collaboration within practices. These factors were further examined. 
A retrospective analysis of treatment data showed that general dental practitioners, dental hygienists and prophylaxis assistants all had their own focus, although differences existed between practices. A survey showed that practice managers - more common in corporate-affiliated than in independent practices - handled a broad range of tasks. A survey on a new periodontology guideline revealed that both dentists and dental hygienists used it and were satisfied, though dental hygienists reported greater satisfaction and usage.
Collaboration within oral healthcare practices reflects multiprofessional rather than interpro-fessional dynamics. Shared insights, values, and expectations are essential. Practice owners must balance their goals and leadership style with those of their employees and the social context. General dental practitioners’ leadership has shifted from organizational to clinical focus.