site.btaNew National Framework Agreement Provides for Additional Dental Service for Health-Insured Individuals over 18

Health-insured individuals over the age of 18 will be entitled to a fourth dental procedure starting November 1, 2026. This is stipulated in the National Framework Agreement on dental services for the 2026–2028 period, signed on Wednesday at the Ministry of Health by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the Bulgarian Dental Association (BDA).

The new agreement was presented and signed by Minister of Health Katya Ivkova, NHIF Governor Dr. Vladimir Daskalov, and BDA Chair Dr. Borislav Milanov.

An additional procedure is being added to the three dental services currently designated for health-insured individuals over 18; these services may consist of a combination of chemical composite fillings and permanent tooth extractions, Dr. Daskalov explained. 

The timeframe during which dentists providing pediatric dental care can report performed services is also being extended, increasing from six to a maximum of eight hours per day on average (based on a five-day workweek and calculated over a calendar month). Dr. Daskalov stated that the goal is to improve access to dental care for health-insured individuals under the age of 18. A limit is being introduced for dentists providing surgical dental care regarding the reporting of performed dental activities: no more than an average of eight hours per day regardless of the number of contracts under which they operate.

Minister of Health Katya Ivkova thanked the representatives and experts from the NHIF and the BDA for the negotiations and the resulting final document, which was unanimously approved by the NHIF Supervisory Board within the established budgetary framework.