A group of dentists operating in the regions of Azerbaijan held a protest in front of the administrative building of TƏBİB, protesting their dismissals.
The dentists appealed to “Qafqazinfo” about this matter. Claiming they were illegally dismissed, the dentists are demanding to be reinstated to their jobs.
We received the following response to our inquiry addressed to TƏBİB regarding the issue: “The tariffs for medical services not included in the Service Package and provided by state medical institutions to the public on a paid basis, as well as the tariffs for medical services provided to individuals not considered insured, are regulated by the relevant decisions of the TƏBİB Supervisory Board. The majority of dental services (149 types of services) are not included in mandatory health insurance coverage and are provided only on a paid basis. The tariffs for these services were approved by the decision of the TƏBİB Supervisory Board No. 18-1/17-Q/2025 dated July 21, 2025.
During extensive analyses conducted recently to improve the organization and transparency of dental services, the service volume, workload, and real need indicators of dentists in various regions were investigated. The analyses revealed that some dental services were in excess of actual demand, existing resources were being used inefficiently, and budget revenues were reduced due to incomplete cashless settlement of payments.”
TƏBİB also stated that the number of dentists in some regions exceeding the real need has led to additional financial burdens: “Studies show that the material resources used in the provision of dental services (salary expenses for staff, equipment maintenance, medicines and consumables, utility costs, etc.) exceed the financial revenues generated from these services. As a result, continuing dental services at previous volumes under the current conditions is not considered economically efficient, and there is a need to take additional optimization measures in this area.
We also note that, in accordance with Article 11, clause 'e' of the Labor Code, changing the terms of employment conditions, as well as reducing the number or штаты (staff positions) of employees, is one of the employer's rights. According to Article 70, clause 'b' of the same Code, the reduction in the number or штаты (staff positions) of employees is considered a basis for termination of the employment contract.
Taking into account the above, we inform that in accordance with the analyses and financial-economic justifications conducted regarding dental services in medical institutions under TƏBİB, the optimization, including the reduction of the number of dentists (штаты - staff positions), is ensured with strict adherence to the requirements of labor legislation.”