Archives of Public Health

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2024): Arch Pub Health
Public Health

Legal regulation of health specializations and subspecializations in the field of dentistry in the Republic of North Macedonia

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  • Vlatko Kokolanski,
  • Kjiro Ivanovski,
  • Julijana Nikolovska ,
  • Mira Jankulovska
Vlatko Kokolanski
Faculty of Dentistry, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
Kjiro Ivanovski
Faculty of Dentistry, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
Julijana Nikolovska
Faculty of Dentistry, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
Mira Jankulovska
Faculty of Dentistry, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/aph.2024.6111

Published 2024-04-22

Keywords

  • specializations,
  • subspecializations,
  • dentistry,
  • legal regulation

How to Cite

1.
Kokolanski V, Ivanovski K, Nikolovska J, Jankulovska M. Legal regulation of health specializations and subspecializations in the field of dentistry in the Republic of North Macedonia. Arch Pub Health [Internet]. 2024 Apr. 22 [cited 2024 Jul. 16];16(1). Available from: https://id-press.eu/aph/article/view/6111

Copyright (c) 2024 Vlatko Kokolanski, Kjiro Ivanovski, Julijana Nikolovska , Mira Jankulovska

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Recognizing the dynamic nature of changes in legal regulations governing health specializations and subspecializations in dentistry, the purpose of this paper was to present the current legal framework governing health specializations and subspecializations in dentistry in the Republic of North Macedonia. Materials and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of legal regulations accessible at the database of regulations and publications on the website of the Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia, utilizing specific keywords, including "specializations," "subspecializations," and "dentistry." Additionally, we analyzed regulations available on the websites of higher education institutions offering specializations and subspecializations in dentistry. From the pool of regulations scrutinized, we selected those marked as valid or partially valid and relevant. Our study employed the legal-dogmatic method, content analysis, and the descriptive method. Results: The legal framework includes laws, regulations, decisions of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, decisions of higher education institutions, and government programs. Health workers in dentistry, regardless of their employment status, have the right to engage in specialization or subspecialization. The Ministry of Health can approve specialization or subspecialization for foreign citizens with completed dental faculty education. However, approval procedures vary depending on the employment status. Health workers with higher education in dentistry can specialize in 8 branches of specialization and 2 branches of subspecialization, conducted in accredited institutions. During the specialization and subspecialization, health workers are guided by a mentor and educators. In conclusion, frequent revisions in the legal framework governing health specializations and subspecializations in dentistry in the Republic of North Macedonia imply a recurrent re-norming process, potentially affecting healthcare workers' understanding of the legal framework surrounding specializations and subspecializations. Given the rapid scientific evolution, we advocate for reduced norming and alignment of higher education programs with emerging scientific insights.

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