Oral healthcare in transition in Eastern Europe

Big changes have occurred in the oral healthcare delivery systems of most E astern European countries since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 and the demise of communism in the former USSR in 1991. In the new situation it wa s necessary to reform the political and social systems including healthcare . Reforms were started to improve the economy and, in comparison with Weste rn Europe, the generally lower living standards. It is difficult to obtain comprehensive data on oral healthcare in Eastern European countries but thi s paper reports data from nine countries and provides a 'macro' view of the current situation in these countries. Many countries seem to have adopted a Bismarckian model for the provision of oral healthcare based on a sicknes s insurance system.