There is currently no pay scale for dental hygienists, but we recommend looking at the scale for a nurse (equivalent bachelor's degree). As well as which fringe benefits (mileage allowance, telephone, meal vouchers, etc.) are included in the salary package. On average, the starting salary of a nurse (since 1/7/2021) is 2,718 euros gross as a starter, i.e. without previously acquired seniority. (source - https://www.jobat.be/nl/art/het-startloon-van-een-verpleegkundige)

Student:

• Monthly digital newsletter

• Half-yearly online magazine ‘Blad voor de mond’

• Advantageous participation in conferences, lectures, etc

• Keep up to date with developments both at local and government level (RIZIV, nomenclature, etc)

• Access to reserved member section on website with leaflets, info for patients, etc

• Obtain advice/information regarding the profession and graduation

• BBM is a point of contact in case of problems

Graduated dental hygienist:

• Possibility of cheaper insurance (hospitalisation, professional liability, etc) in cooperation with Groep Blancquaert

• Support from Acerta to take steps in independent work life

• Monthly newsletter

• Half-yearly online magazine ‘Blad voor de mond’

• Keeping up to date with developments both at local and government level (RIZIV, nomenclature, etc)

• Access to reserved members' section on the website with leaflets, information for patients, etc.

• Advantageous participation in conferences, lectures, etc

• Conditions for retaining the title of dental hygienist

• Advice on salaries and other terms of employment

• BBM is a point of contact in case of problems

• OHPT refresher courses:https://www.oh2courses.eu/login/index.php

Sympathiser:

• Monthly newsletter

• Half-yearly online magazine ‘Blad voor de mond’

• Keeping up to date with developments both at local and government level (RIZIV, nomenclature, etc)

• Access to reserved member area on the website

The dental hygienist is a legally recognised profession in Belgium. All tasks listed in RD 58 of 30 March 2018 may be performed. Depending on which task requires supervision or a prescription from a dentist or specialist. For a detailed overview, we refer to the schematic representation of the RD (found on our member section).

According to the letter of the law, you can set up your own practice as an independent dental hygienist. However, we strongly advise against this, as most treatments require supervision or cooperation with a dentist, so one will be able to perform few or no tasks. One can, however, work independently within an organisation. This provides increased autonomy, among other things.

If you would like more information about this, please contact our partner acerta. As a member of BBM, you can get free advice at a local office. More information at ikwilstarten.be

To practise as a dental hygienist in Belgium, you must have a work visa. To obtain this, you need to apply for recognition from the recognition commission. You will find the correct steps to apply here (https://www.health.belgium.be/nl/e-services/visum-voor-een-buitenlands-diploma).

After you have obtained an accreditation, FPS Public Health will automatically send you a visa.

Recognition must be applied for both permanent and temporary practice.

You cannot automatically work as a dental hygienist everywhere. For more information, it is best to contact the professional association of the relevant country. They will be happy to provide you with the necessary information.

Check if it is a recognised profession in the European country:

Regulated Profession Database (europa.eu)

Sites of the European countries with information on the application procedure:

Regulated Profession Database (europa.eu)

For students, the membership fee is 25 euros per academic year (regardless of when you join)

For graduate dental hygienists, the annual membership fee is 160 euros. An invoice is issued pro rata after graduation. (Per quarter year 40 euros) with the membership fee as a student being deducted when switching from student to full member immediately after graduation. This can be done by sending a mail to inschrijvingen@bb-m.be.

In case of payment problems, please contact our treasurer Anneleen Depoorter by mail at anneleen@bb-m.be.

As described in the Dental Hygienist RD, an authorised dental hygienist graduate must maintain and update their professional knowledge and skills annually through continuing education, at least 15 hours per year, to maintain a professional practice at an optimal quality level. Currently, each person is required to maintain and submit continuing education certificates for possible inspection. The government is currently working out a platform to keep the attestations centrally. If the 15 hours of continuing education are not achieved, the work visa can be withdrawn.

For radiology and radioprotection, 3 hours of refresher training must be taken every 5 years.

More information on BBM refresher courses can be found at https://bb-m.be/en/events/.

• administrative matters – joyce@bb-m.be

• financial affairs – anneleen@bb-m.be

• ombuds servie– joyce@bb-m.be

• vacancies – joyce@bb-m.be

• general questions – info@bb-m.be

• questions on recognition of (foreign) diplomas– kim@bb-m.be

• OHPT – patriciavdb@bb-m.be

• partners – partners@bb-m.be

• gezonde mond – doris@bb-m.be

In the field of work, we can be employed in various places and institutions, including private practices, specialised dental practices, MKA, CLB, district health centres, residential care centres, schools, process counsellor in healthy mouth, etc.

With your degree, you can also work as a lecturer within the oral care program in Belgium.

There is also the possibility of further study. You can find the various possibilities via onderwijskiezer.be.

If you went in a different direction with your degree, we would like to hear about it.

If you would like to work in front or behind the scenes within BBM, you can contact the executive board via info@bb-m.be. We will then look together at where we can best use your interests and talents.

Criteria for not falling under sham self-employment

• The will of the parties as formulated in their agreement. Both parties are free to choose their status. The status corresponds to the real working conditions and do not violate the law.

• The freedom to organise working time. As a self-employed person, you choose when to work and take holidays. An employee has his working hours imposed on him.

• The freedom to organise work. When you are self-employed, you choose which assignments you accept and reject.

• The possibility of exercising hierarchical control. Strict controls on working hours, such as a time clock or performance reviews, have no place in self-employed status.