Dentist standing firm against corporate buildings, symbolizing the fight against corporate control.

Dental Associations Unite: Fighting Corporate Control in Dentistry

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"German dental organizations are taking a stand against the increasing influence of financial investors in dental care, pushing for policy changes to protect independent practices and ensure quality patient care."

The German dental landscape is facing a significant challenge: the growing presence of investor-backed dental centers (MVZ). These centers, driven by financial interests, are raising concerns about the quality and accessibility of dental care across the country.

In response, the Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ) and other leading dental organizations are uniting to push for policy changes. Their primary goal is to limit the influence of corporate entities and protect the traditional model of independent dental practices.

This article delves into the FVDZ's strategy to combat the rise of investor-led MVZs. It explores their proposed solutions, the potential impact on dental care, and the broader implications for patients and practitioners alike.

The Attack Plan: Reclaiming Dentistry from Investors

Dentist standing firm against corporate buildings, symbolizing the fight against corporate control.

The FVDZ is advocating for a return to exclusively cross-disciplinary MVZs, a move they believe will effectively block capital investors from dominating the dental market. This approach, previously endorsed by key dental bodies, aims to ensure that dental centers are run by practitioners, not by financial entities seeking profit.

According to Harald Schrader, Chairman of the FVDZ, any regulation that allows for the continued establishment of purely dental MVZs will serve as a loophole for large investors. The association believes that only a complete restriction on investor-backed dental chains can safeguard the integrity of the profession.

Advocate for policy changes that prioritize patient care over profit.
Promote the traditional model of independent dental practices.
Raise awareness about the potential risks of corporate-controlled dental care.

The FVDZ views the increasing number of investor-controlled dental chains as a serious threat to the quality and accessibility of dental care. They warn that if independent practices are destroyed, they will not easily recover, potentially leading to a decline in patient care standards.

A United Front for the Future of Dentistry

The FVDZ is not alone in its concerns. Other dental associations and practitioners share the view that financial investors pose a risk to the core values of the profession. This united front is critical to driving meaningful change and protecting the interests of patients.

The upcoming general meeting in Lübeck will serve as a platform to further discuss these issues and strategize on how to best promote free and self-determined work within the dental profession. The goal is to empower dentists to maintain control over their practices and ensure that patient care remains the top priority.

As the debate over dental policy continues, it is essential for all stakeholders – policymakers, dental professionals, and patients – to engage in open and honest discussions. The future of dentistry depends on finding solutions that balance financial considerations with the need to provide high-quality, accessible care for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s12614-018-7489-1, Alternate LINK

Title: „Wir Schalten Auf Attacke Zum Tsvg“

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Der Freie Zahnarzt

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Sabine Schmitt

Published: 2018-09-25

Everything You Need To Know

Why is the Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ) concerned about investor-backed dental centers (MVZ)?

The Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ) is concerned about the growing influence of financial investors in dental care, specifically the rise of investor-backed dental centers (MVZ). They believe this trend threatens the quality, accessibility and patient-focused nature of dental services by prioritizing profit over patient well-being. The FVDZ advocates for policy changes to limit the influence of corporate entities and protect independent dental practices.

What specific change is the Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ) advocating for regarding dental centers (MVZ) to combat corporate influence?

The Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ) is advocating for a return to exclusively cross-disciplinary dental centers (MVZ). This means that dental centers should include practitioners from various medical fields, not just dentistry. They believe this will prevent capital investors from dominating the dental market, as these investors are primarily interested in purely dental MVZs for maximizing profit. This approach aims to ensure that dental centers are run by practitioners focused on patient care, rather than by financial entities driven by profit motives.

Why does Harald Schrader, Chairman of the Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ), believe that restricting purely dental dental centers (MVZ) is crucial?

According to Harald Schrader, Chairman of the Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ), allowing purely dental dental centers (MVZ) to continue being established would create a loophole for large investors. The FVDZ believes that only a complete restriction on investor-backed dental chains can truly safeguard the integrity of the dental profession and prevent the prioritization of profit over patient care. This is essential to maintaining the standards and ethics of dental practice.

What are the potential consequences if investor-controlled dental chains continue to grow, according to the Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ)?

If the number of investor-controlled dental chains continues to increase, the Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ) warns that independent dental practices could be destroyed. They believe that these independent practices, once lost, would be difficult to recover. This could lead to a decline in patient care standards, as corporate entities may prioritize profit margins over the quality and accessibility of dental services. Ultimately, this shift could negatively impact the overall health and well-being of patients.

Besides the Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ), who else shares the concerns about financial investors in dentistry, and why is this important?

The Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ) and other dental organizations are united in their concern that financial investors pose a risk to the core values of the dental profession. This united front is crucial for driving meaningful policy changes and protecting the interests of patients. Their collective advocacy aims to ensure that dental care remains focused on patient well-being rather than being driven solely by financial interests.