In France, a growing proportion of dental prostheses are no longer manufactured in France. The National Employers’ Union of Dental Prosthetists (UNPPD) estimates that more than 30% of prostheses fitted come from a single foreign country and warns that this share could reach 50% in 2030. With the price ceilings of the system 100% Healthdentists are encouraged to choose the cheapest solutions.
100% Health: the worrying invasion of Chinese dental prostheses
This country is the Chinawhose laboratories compete with made in France. For the UNPPD, the problem does not come from the price but from a gap in controls between French manufacturing and imports. “We, in France, are controlled by the Medicines Safety Agency which can come to our laboratory, check in our drawers whether our resin ceramic pots comply with the legislation, while they will never go to China to open the drawers of a Chinese laboratory“, deplores Laurent Munerot, president of the UNPPD. However, these systems remain covered by Health Insurance within the framework of 100% Health.
Why do so many dentures come from China?
This pricing dilemma is described by Patrick Soléra, president of the Federation of Liberal Dental Unions. “Concretely, there are only two solutions, either turn to a foreign laboratory, or ask your French laboratory to make a financial effort on its prices to be able to assume its role“. Then he wonders: “Will French laboratories be able to reduce their prices for a prosthetist who has been a very good customer for years? It gets very complicated“.
These dentists fired for refusing to impose Chinese prostheses
In Nantes, dental surgeons at a dental center were fired by the VYV 3 Pays de la Loire group for refusing to offer prostheses made in China. “They are encouraged to sell Chinese prostheses, but for the patient, it is the same price, whether they are Chinese or French prostheses, it is just the margin that differs.“, explained union delegate Vincent Lanche to Ouest France, who added: “We can ask ourselves the question of the management’s desire to maintain a dental sector“. The VYV 3 group invoked “the general increase in costs, not compensated by tariffs“and the objective”to provide care accessible to all“.
Chinese dental prostheses: what real risks for the patient
For the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM), an imported dental prosthesis is not a danger if the declaration of conformity and the traceability of the materials are ensured. Without these documents, it becomes difficult to know what the prosthesis contains or to recall it in the event of a problem.
The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) reminds that the dental quote must indicate the country of manufacture and can only mention “Made in France” in complete honesty. In the Senate, the government summarized this requirement in one formula: “the preliminary quote… must mention the place of manufacture“.
How to protect yourself from dentures imported from China
The National Order of Dental Surgeons warns against any desire to “impose” imported prostheses without explanation. A patient can request origin, compliance documents or request a different practitioner.