Starting your own dental practice in Belgium: the steps

Have you graduated as a dentist and do you want to start your own practice in Belgium? It is a big step, but in the right order it is very doable. In this guide we list the most important steps, from your license to your first order.

Your visa and your recognition

After your dentistry degree you automatically receive a visa from the FPS Public Health (FOD Volksgezondheid / SPF Santé publique). You need that visa to be allowed to practice.

You also need a recognition. There are three professional titles: general dentist, dentist specialized in orthodontics and dentist specialized in periodontology. In Flanders you apply for your recognition with the Department of Care (Departement Zorg) of the Flemish government. The Flemish government's website explains how to apply for a recognition as a dentist (in Dutch).

Your RIZIV/INAMI number

During your traineeship you receive a RIZIV/INAMI number, from the national health insurance institute, as a dentist in training. You put that number on your certificates and prescriptions. After your recognition, RIZIV/INAMI updates your number. In most cases that happens automatically and you receive a confirmation by email.

Sole proprietorship or company?

When you start your own business, you choose between a sole proprietorship and a company, usually a BV/SRL (private limited company). Both have advantages and disadvantages.

Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship has low setup costs and needs no starting capital. With a limited turnover you may keep simplified accounts.

There are two big disadvantages. You are personally liable: if your business gets into financial trouble, your private assets can be used to pay debts. And your profit is taxed through personal income tax. The more you earn, the less favorable that becomes.

Company (BV/SRL)

With a BV/SRL your personal and business assets are separate. In principle you are not personally liable for your company's debts, and you can spread your income more efficiently for tax purposes.

Setting it up is more complex, though. It goes through a notary. There is no longer a legal minimum capital, but your company must have sufficient equity at the start. You support that in a financial plan that you give to the notary when the company is founded. A BV/SRL keeps double-entry accounts, and for that you are best off working with an accountant.

Registering your business

As a self-employed professional you need an enterprise number. You apply for it through a recognized business counter (ondernemingsloket / guichet d'entreprises), which registers you in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE). You also join a social insurance fund, where you pay your social contributions every quarter.

For the accounting of a sole proprietorship you can use online tools like Dexxter or Accountable. If you are unsure about the legal form or the formalities, get help from an accountant.

Licenses and insurance

• X-ray license. To use X-rays for diagnosis you need a license from the FANC/AFCN, the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control. You apply for it free of charge.
• Professional liability. As a dentist you are required to take out professional liability insurance. It covers the damage if a patient holds you liable for a mistake during a treatment. As the business owner you are also liable for mistakes by your staff, such as your assistant.
• Public liability for your premises. This insurance is not mandatory, but it is useful. It covers accidents during a visit to your practice, such as a patient tripping at the entrance.

Buying your supplies

Many dental suppliers are active in Belgium, and their prices and availability vary a lot. That is why it is smart to open an account with several suppliers instead of buying everything from one company. Read which supplies you need in our checklist of consumables for a new practice.

With Swyp you order from all those suppliers from one place. You create an account and connect your supplier accounts. Then you compare prices and availability, put together order lists and place your orders. See which suppliers you can connect.

Starting a brand-new practice? Then also read our guide to inventory management in the dental practice. That way you set up a good routine from the very start.