Bulgaria’s 2026–2030 programme: participation and payment for dentists

Free sealants for children, paid work for dentists

Bulgaria’s national oral-health prevention programme for 2026–2030 funds sealants on first permanent molars in children aged 5–9. Families pay nothing for the procedure, while participating dentists are paid by the organiser. The fee and payment terms are agreed in the dentist’s participation contract.

If you treat children, this lets you offer the procedure to families who might otherwise struggle with the cost. When deciding whether to join, allow for examinations, paperwork and follow-up appointments as well as placing the sealants.

Sources: Bulgaria’s national programme 2026–2030 · Full Bulgarian national programme 2026–2030 (PDF) · Public procurement: sealant contract C269551 and annexes

Which children qualify for programme sealants

The funded procedure has three main criteria:

• The child is 5–9 years old, inclusive.
• The teeth are first permanent molars.
• The teeth are healthy and within two years of eruption.

Assess each tooth using the programme’s clinical protocol. These criteria determine access to programme funding; clinical indications for sealants in other patients need individual assessment. Our sealants guide for parents can help with the conversation.

Sources: Full Bulgarian national programme 2026–2030 (PDF) · Public procurement: sealant contract C269551 and annexes

How your fee is agreed

„Профилактика в денталната медицина“ ООД organises training and sealant delivery under contract with the Bulgarian Ministry of Health. You join through a separate agreement with the organiser. Before committing, ask for written terms covering:

• how much you receive per sealed tooth and when you are paid;
• who supplies materials and consumables;
• payment for follow-up examinations and any repairs.

The Ministry pays the organiser 50.00 € excluding VAT (60.00 € including VAT) per reported sealed tooth. This price also covers organisation, training, materials and other delivery costs. The public contract does not specify the individual dentist’s fee, so do not use that figure to estimate your practice’s income.

Funding comes through the Ministry’s programme. It is separate from dental services paid for by Bulgaria’s health insurance fund, NHIF.

Sources: Public procurement: sealant contract C269551 and annexes

How to join

Dentists placing sealants must work in a healthcare establishment and have a dental surgery available. A paediatric dentistry specialty is not required of every participating clinician.

1. Ask whether new dentists can join in your region. The programme website lists 0800 14 546 as its information number in Bulgaria. Ask for the current regional coordinator and this year’s participation terms.
2. Prepare your documents. These include proof of current Bulgarian Dental Association membership and a declaration confirming participation and available premises. Ask the organiser for the full list and forms.
3. Agree your contract and complete training. Training covers the programme’s clinical method and can be delivered online. Settle payment and paperwork arrangements before accepting children through the programme.
4. Get confirmation that you have joined the team. The organiser submits new dentists for written Ministry approval. Having an NHIF contract does not enrol you in this programme.

Sources: Public procurement: sealant contract C269551 and annexes · Oral prevention: contacts and regional practice lists

Examinations, records and deadlines

Each child needs an examination and informed consent from a parent or guardian, using the programme form. Explain what the free procedure includes and discuss any other treatment separately.

Record the procedure in Bulgaria’s National Health Information System (НЗИС). Reports to the organiser also require lists of children by region and dentist, together with consent forms. Ask for the templates and submission deadlines when you join, so you can keep complete records from the first appointment.

The clinical protocol calls for sealant checks every six months and repairs where needed. In addition to these follow-up visits, the organiser must arrange quality checks on a random sample of at least 2% of treated children.

For 2026, the published schedule sets 20 November as the last day for placing sealants, with records submitted and checked between 20 November and 1 December. Confirm the dates for your region before booking patients. The Ministry’s contract with the organiser runs until 31 December 2027, with a separate schedule for each year.

Sources: Public procurement: sealant contract C269551 and annexes

Other activities in the national programme

Sealants are part of a wider programme for children aged 0–18. It also includes health education, preventive examinations and screening, oral hygiene in kindergartens, appropriate fluoride use and reducing added sugar in children’s foods.

If you want to work with a school or kindergarten, discuss the proposed activity with the regional health inspectorate, municipality or programme coordinator. Arrangements and payment for that work need to be agreed separately. Our teaching session plan can help you prepare a session with children.

Sources: Bulgaria’s work plan 2026–2030 · Financial plan 2026–2030 (€)