Collaboration between dentists and general practitioners in primary care clusters in Hungary

A substantial challenge in Hungary's publicly funded primary care system is the rising proportion of unfilled general practitioner and dentist practices over the past several years, which negatively impacts the public's access to primary care services. The practice cluster model introduced in 2021 aims to improve public access and strengthen collaboration among primary care providers, with a particular focus on interprofessional relationships between general practitioners and dentists.

As part of the study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 36 primary care professionals (18 general practitioners and 18 dentists) between January and March 2026. Sampling was targeted to ensure diversity across geography, demographics, and practice type. We analyzed the data using Mayring's content analysis method, organized into thematic categories.

The primary motivation for joining primary care clusters was financial incentives, while the development of professional collaboration played a secondary role. The intensity of collaboration between general practitioners and dentists varies; nearly half of the interviewees reported minimal contact. The main areas of collaboration include oral diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and medication consultations. Cooperation is most often hindered by heavy workloads, communication gaps, and regulatory and financial constraints.

Primary care clusters offer opportunities for developing interprofessional collaboration; however, systemic barriers limit the realization of this potential. To achieve more effective collaboration, it is necessary to improve communication, establish professional protocols, and reform the financial, regulatory, and infrastructural frameworks.