Group practice in France

In France, a number of different forms of group practice co-exist. They differ in the number of members and their contractual relationships. 40 per cent of French dentists practise in groups; however, this figure falls to 26 per cent for the true group practices, in only 12 per cent of which are the fees pooled. In most cases groups are established from a solo practice when the number of patients has become too large for the principal to cope alone. The decision to embark on group practice may also stem from a wish for more leisure, the need for ongoing training, and other psychological or social reasons. The association proper is usually preceded by a less formal type of 'collaboration'. A large number of women engage in group practice, either full-time or, more frequently, part-time, but women-only groups are the exception. Eighty per cent of orthodontists practise in a group of some kind. The facility-sharing partnerships (SCMs) (the most frequent form) provide their members with all or part of the requisites for their practice, which itself remains individual, with each member receiving his fees and contributing to the expenses of the group only in proportion to the services received from it. Full partnerships (SCPs), however, embrace not only all the facilities necessary for the practice but also its patients; fees are received in the name of the partnership. Profits are distributed by criteria associated with the practice (time spent, fees received, reputation, etc.); they may also be distributed in equal shares.