Dentists working in the public sector will start benefiting from improved working conditions after the government and the UĦM Voice of the Workers finalised a new sectoral agreement. 

This will be the first new agreement for dentists since 1993, Health Minister Chris Fearne said ahead of the signing. 

"Dentists were working with an agreement that was almost historic. There were talks, even industrial action, but today we will be signing a new agreement. Obviously, the new conditions are better. I am glad to see that this will ensure that patients will be offered a better services," Mr Fearne said, noting that discussions were held in the context of a number of issues with the public dentistry department.

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Acknowledging that there are still people on the waiting lists, Mr Fearne said that the new agreement will address this because the number of new dentists will increase significantly. In the past, he said, dentists often opted to work in the private sector because their salaries there would be better. 

On his part, UHM chief Josef Vella said that the process to come to an agreement was not a short one, adding, however, that he was honour that two sides were finally signing such an agreement. 

"This sectoral agreement provides a structure to dentists and it also gives them the opportunity to continue furthering their specialisations. I now want to make sure that what we have in the agreement is honoured and implemented," Mr Vella said.