Dental Specializations and Sub-Specializations in North Macedonia: Then and Now

Тhe development of dental specialization in the Republic of North Macedonia has evolved over the last few decades, beginning with a limited scope of specializations and progressing to a more diverse range of disciplines in recent years. Initially, the focus was on jaw orthopedics with prosthetics and maxillofacial surgery, but with the introduction of new regulations and reforms in the legal and educational framework, additional specializations emerged, including endodontics, periodontics, and pediatric dentistry. The privatization of dental services and the modernization of the legal system in recent decades have led to a significant increase in the number of specialists, with oral surgery, orthodontics, and dental prosthetics being the most frequently chosen fields. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of dental specialization in Republic of North Macedonia, comparing it to international experience, particularly those in European Union countries. The study aims to assess the current status of the dental specialization workforce and to explore the ongoing challenges and opportunities in aligning training with evolving healthcare needs.