1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of25July1978
concerningthemutualrecognitionofdiplomas,certificatesandotherevidenceoftheformalquali-
fications of pratitioners of dentistry, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the
rightofestablishmentandfreedomtoprovideservices
(78/686/EEC)
(OJ L 233, 24.8.1978, p. 1)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►A1Act of Accession of Greece L 291 17 19.11.1979
Corrected by:
►C1Corrigendum, OJ L 346, 2.12.1981, p. 24 (79)
▼B
COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of25July1978
concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and
other evidence of the formal qualifications of pratitioners ofdentistry, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of
therightofestablishmentandfreedom toprovideservices
(78/686/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community, and in particular Articles 49, 57, 66 and 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee(2),
Whereas, pursuant to the Treaty, all discriminatory treatment based on
nationality with regard to establishment and provision of services isprohibited as from the end of the transitional period; whereas the prin-ciple of such treatment based on nationality applies in particular to thegrant of any authorization required to practise as a dental practitionerand also to registration with or membershipof p rofessional organiza-
tions or bodies;
Whereas it nevertheless seems desirable that certain provisions be
introduced to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establish-ment and freedom to provide services in respect of the activities ofdental practitioners;
Whereas, pursuant to the Treaty, the Member States are required not to
grant any form of aid likely to distort the conditions of establishment;
Whereas Article 57 (1) of the Treaty provides that Directives shall be
issued for the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other
evidence of formal qualifications; whereas the aim of this Directive is
the recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formalqualifications of a dental practitioner enabling activities in the field ofdentistry to be taken up and pursued and the recognition of diplomas,certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in respect of
practitioners of specialized dentistry;
Whereas, with regard to the training of practitioners of specialized
dentistry, the mutual recognition of training qualifications is advisablewhere these qualifications, while not being a condition for taking upthe activities of practitioner of specialized dentistry, are nonetheless a
condition for the use of a specialist title;
Whereas, in view of the current differences between the Member States
regarding the number of specializations in dentistry and the type or thelength of training courses for such specializations, certain coordinatingprovisions intended to enable Member States to proceed with the
mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of
formal qualifications should be laid down; whereas such coordinationhas been effected by Council Directive 78/687/EEC of 25 August1978 concerning the coordination of provisions laid down by law, regu-lation or administrative action in respect of the activities of dental
practitioners(
3);
Whereas, although the coordination referred to above was not intended
to harmonize all the provisions of the Member States on the training ofpractitioners of specialized dentistry, it is nevertheless appropriate toproceed with the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 2
(1) OJ No C 101, 4.8.1970, p. 19.
(2) OJ No C 36, 28.3.1970, p. 17.
(3) See page 10 of this Official journal.
▼B
evidence of formal qualifications as a pratitioner of specialized
dentistry which are not common to all the Member States, withouthowever excluding the possibility of subsequent harmonization in this
field; whereas it was considered in this connection that recognition of
diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications as apractitioner of specialized dentistry must be restricted to those MemberStates where such specialization is known;
Whereas, with regard to the use of academic titles, since a Directive on
the mutal recognition of diplomas does not necessarily imply equiva-lence in the training covered by such diplomas, the use of such titles
should be authorized only in the language of the Member State of
origin or of the Member State from which the foreign national comes;
Whereas, to facilitate the application of this Directive by national
authorities, Member States may prescribe that, in addition to formalcertificates of training, a person who satisfies the conditions of trainingrequired by these authorities must provide a certificate from the compe-tent authorities of his Member State of origin or of the Member State
from which he comes stating that these certificates of training are those
covered by this Directive;
Whereas, in the case of the provision of services, the requirement of
registration with or membershipof p rofessional organizations or bodiessince it is related to the fixed and permanent nature of activitiespursued in the host country would thus undoubtedly constitute anobstacle to the persons wishing to provide the service, by reason of
the temporary nature of his activity; whereas this requirement should
therefore be abolished; whereas, however, in this event, control overprofessional discipline which is the responsibility of these professionalorganizations or bodies, should be guaranteed; whereas, to this end, itshould be provided, subject to the application of Article 62 of theTreaty, that the person concerned may be required to submit to the
competent authority of the host Member State particulars relating to
the provision of services;
Whereas, with regard to the requirements relating to good character
and good repute, a distinction should be drawn between the require-ments to be satisfied on first taking upthe p rofession and those to besatisfied for its practice;
Whereas, as far as the activities of employed dental practitioners are
concerned, Council Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 of 15 October 1968
on freedom of move ment for workers within the Community(
1) lays
down no specific provisions relating to good character or good repute,professional discipline or use of title for the professions covered;whereas, depending on the individual Member State, such rules are ormay be applicable both to employed and self-employed persons;whereas the activities of dental practitioners are or will be subject in
all Member States to possession of a diploma, certificate or other
evidence of formal qualification in dentistry; whereas such activitiesare pursued by both employed and self-employed persons, or by thesame persons in both capacities in the course of their professionalcareer; whereas, in order to encourage as far as possible their free
movement within the Community, it therefore appears necessary to
extend this Directive to cover employed dental practitioners;
Whereas the dental profession is not yet organized in Italy; whereas it
is therefore necessary to grant Italy an additional period for recognizingthe diplomas of dental practitioners awarded by the other MemberStates;
Whereas, moreover, this means that holders of a doctor's diploma
awarded in Italy may not acquire a certificate meeting the requirementsof Article 19 of this Directive;
Whereas, in these circumstances, it is necessary to defer on the one
hand the obligation of Italy to recognize diplomas awarded by the other1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 3
(1) OJ No L 257, 19.10.1968, p. 2.
▼B
Member States and on the other hand that of the Member States to
recognize diplomas awarded in Italy as referred to in Article 19,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
CHAPTER I
SCOPE
Article 1
This Directive shall apply to the activities of dental practitioners as
defined in Article 5 of Directive 78/687/EEC pursued under the
following titles:
— in Germany:
Zahnarzt,
— in Belgium:
licencié en science dentaire/licentiaat in de tandheelkunde,
— in Denmark:
tandlæge,
— in France:
chirurgien-dentiste,
— in Ireland:
dentist, dental practitioner or dental surgeon,
— in Italy:
the diploma the title of which will be notified by Italy to the
Member States and the Commission within the time limit laiddown in Article 24 (1),
— in Luxembourg:
médecin-dentiste,
— in the Netherlands:
tandarts,
— in the United Kingdom:
dentist, dental practitioner or dental surgeon,
— in Greece:
οδοντίατρος ή χειρούργος οδοντίατρος.
CHAPTER II
DIPLOMAS, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER EVIDENCE OF
FORMALQUALIFICATIONSINDENTISTRY
Article 2
Each Member State shall recognize the diplomas, certificates and other
evidence of formal qualifications in dentistry awarded to nationals of
Member States by the other Member States in accordance with Article
1 of Directive 78/697/EEC and which are listed in Article 3 of thisDirective, by giving such qualifications, as far as the right to take upand pursue the activities of a dental practitioner is concerned, thesame effect in its territory as those which the Member States itself
awards.
Article 3
The diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualification
referred to in Article 2 are as follows:
(a)in Germany
1. ‘Zeugnis über die zahnärtzliche Staatsprüfung’ (the State exam-
ination certificate in dentistry), awarded by the competentauthorities;1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 4
▼A1
▼B
▼B
2. the certificates from the competent authorities of the Federal
Republic of Germany stating that the diplomas awarded after 8May 1945 by the competent authorities of the German Demo-
cratic Republic are recognized as equivalent to those listed in
point 1;
(b)in Belgium
‘diplôme légal de licencié en science dentaire/wettelijk diploma
van licentiaat in de tandheelkunde’ (the official diploma of grad-
uate in dental science), awarded by the university faculties ofmedicine, or by the Central Board or by the State boards of univer-sity examiners;
(c)in Denmark
‘bevis for tandlægeeksamen (kandidateksamen)’ (official diploma
certifying that the holder has passed the examination in dentistry),issued by schools of dentistry together with the document issued bythe ‘Sundhedsstyrelsen’ (State Board of Health) certifying that hehas worked as an assistant for the required length of time;
(d) in France
1. ‘diplôme d'Etat de chirurgie-dentiste’ (State diploma of dental
surgeon), awarded until 1973 by the university faculties of medi-
cine or the university joint faculties of medicine and pharmacy;
2. ‘diplôme d'Etat de docteur en chirurgie dentaire’ (State diploma
of doctor of dental surgery), awarded by the universities;
(e)in Ireland
the diploma of:
— Bachelor in Dental Science (B.Dent.Sc.),
— Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), or
— Licentiate in Dental Surgery (LDS),
awarded by the universities or the Royal College of Surgeons in
Ireland;
(f)in Italy
the diploma the title of which will be notified by Italy to the
Member States and to the Commission within the time limit laiddown in Article 24 (1);
(g)in Luxembourg
‘diplôme d'Etat de docteur en médecine dentaire’ (State diploma of
doctor of dental medicine), issued by the State Board of Examiners;
(h)in the Netherlands
‘universitair getuigschrift van een met goed gevolg afgelegd
tandartsexamen’ (university certificate certifying success in the
dental surgeon's examination);
(i)in the United Kingdom
the diploma of:— Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS or B.Ch.D), or
— Licentiate in Dental Surgery (LDS),
issued by the universities and the royal colleges;
(j)in Greece:
‘πτυχίο οδοντιατρικής του Πανεπιστηµίου ’►
C1(Degree of
dentistry awarded by a University) ◄.1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 5
▼A1
▼B
CHAPTER III
DIPLOMAS, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER EVIDENCE OF
FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS IN SPECIALIZEDD ENTISTRY
PECULIARTOTWOORMOREMEMBERSTATES
Article 4
Each Member State with provisions in this field laid down by laws,
regulations or administrative provisions shall recognize the diplomas,certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications of dental practi-tioners specializing in orthodontics and oral surgery awarded tonationals of Member States by other Member States in accordance
with Articles 2 and 3 of Directive 78/687/EEC and which are listed in
Article 5, by granting such qualifications the same effect in its territoryas the diplomas, certificates and other formal qualifications which ititself awards.
Article 5
The diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications
referred to in Article 4 are as follows:
1.Orthodontics
—in Germany
‘fachzahnärztliche Anerkennung für Kieferorthopädie’ (certifi-
cate of orthodontist), issued by the ‘Landeszahnärztekammern’(Chamber of Dental Practitioners of the ‘Länder’),
—in Denmark
‘bevis for tilladelse til at betegne sig som specialtandlæge i orto-
donti’ (certificate awarding the right to use the title of dentalpractitioner specializing in orthodontics), issued by the ‘Sund-
hedsstyrelsen’ (State Board of Health),
—in France
‘le titre de spécialiste en orthodontie’ (the title of orthodontic
specialist), issued by the authority recognized competent for this
purpose,
—in Ireland
certificate of specialist dentist in orthodontics, issued by the
competent authority recognized for this purpose by the compe-
tent minister,
—in the Netherlands
‘getuigschrift van erkenning en inschrijving als orthodontist in
het Specialistenregister’ (certificate showing that the person
concerned is officially recognized and that his name is enteredas a orthodontist in the specialists' register), issued by the‘Specialisten-Registratiecommissic (SRC)’ (Specialists Registra-tion Board),
—in the United Kingdom
certificate of completion of specialist training in orthodontics,
issued by the competent authority recognized for this purpose.
2.Oral surgery
—in Germany
‘fachzahnärztliche Anerkennung für Oralchirurgie/Mundchir-
urgie’ (certificate of oral surgery), issued by the
‘Landeszahnärztekammern’ (Chamber of Dental Practitioners of
the ‘Länder’),
—in Denmark
‘bevis for tilladelse til at betegne sig som specialtandlæge i
hospitalsodontologi’ (certificate conferring the right to use thetitle of dental practitioner specialized in hospital odontology),issued by the ‘Sundhedsstyrelsen’ (State Board of Health),
—in Ireland1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 6
▼B
certificate of specialist dentist in oral surgery, issued by the
competent authority recognized for this purpose by the compe-tent Minister,
—in the Netherlands
‘getuigschrift van erkenning en inschrijving als kaakchirurg in
het Specialistenregister’ (certificate showing that the person
concerned is officially recognized and that his name is enteredas an oral surgeon in the specialists' register), issued by the‘Specialisten-Registratiecommissie (SRC)’ (Specialists Registra-tion Board),
—in the United Kingdom
certificate of completion of specialist training in oral surgery,
issued by the competent authority recognized for this purpose.
Article 6
1. Nationals of Member States wishing to acquire one of the
diplomas, certificates or other evidence of formal qualification of prac-titioner of specialized dentistry which are not awarded in the MemberState of origin or the Member State from which the foreign national
comes, may be required by a host Member State to fulfil the conditions
of gaining laid down in respect of the speciality by its own laws, regu-lations or administrative provisions.
2. The host Member State shall, however, take into account, in
whole or in part, the training periods completed by the nationals
referred to in paragraph 1 and attested by possession of a diploma,
certificate or other evidence of formal training awarded by the compe-tent authorities of the Member State of origin or the Member Statefrom which the foreign national comes, provided such training periodscorrespond to those required in the host Member State for the specia-lized training in question.
3. The competent authorities or bodies of the host Member State,
having verified the content and duration of the specialist training ofthe person concerned on the basis of the diplomas, certificates andother evidence of formal qualifications submitted, shall inform him ofthe period of additional training required and of the fields to be
covered by it.
CHAPTER IV
EXISTINGCIRCUMSTANCES
Article 7
1. In the case of nationals of Member States whose diplomas, certi-
ficates and other evidence of formal qualifications do not satisfy all the
minimum training requirements laid down in Article 1 of Directive 78/687/EEC, each Member State shall recognize as being sufficient proofthe diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications indentistry awarded by those Member States before the implementation
of Directive 78/687/EEC, accompanied by a certificate stating that
those nationals have effectively and lawfully been engaged in the activ-ities in question for at least three consecutive years during the fiveyears prior to the date of issue of the certificate.
2. In the case of nationals of Member States whose diplomas, certi-
ficates and other evidence of formal qualifications in specialized
dentistry do not satisfy the minimum training requirements under Arti-
cles 2 and 3 of Directive 78/687/EEC, each Member State shallrecognize as sufficient proof the diplomas, certificates and otherevidence of formal qualifications in specialized dentistry awarded bythose Member States before the implementation of Directive 78/687/
EEC. The Member State may, however, require that such diplomas,
certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications be accompaniedby a certificate issued by the competent authorities or bodies of theMember State of origin or of the Member State from which the foreignnational comes, stating that he has been engaged in activities of specia-lized dentistry for a period equal to twice the difference between the1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 7
▼B
length of specialized training in the Member State of origin or in the
Member State from which the foreign national comes and the minimumtraining period referred to in Directive 78/687/EEC where these
diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications do
not satisfy the minimum training period laid down in Article 2 ofDirective 78/687/EEC.
However, if before this Directive is implemented, the host Member
State requires a minimum training period of shorter duration than that
referred to in Article 2 of Directive 78/687/EEC, the difference
mentioned in the first subparagraph can be determined only by refer-ence to the minimum training period laid down by that State.
CHAPTER V
USEOFACADEMICTITLE
Article 8
1. Without prejudice to Article 17, host Member States shall ensure
that the nationals of Member States who fulfil the conditions laid downin Articles 2, 4, 7 and 19 have the right to use the lawful academic title
in so far as this is not identical with the professional title or, where
appropriate, the abbreviation thereof, of their Member State of originor of the Member State from which they come, in the language ofthat State. Host Member States may require this title to be followedby the name and location of the establishment or examining board
which awarded it.
2. If the academic title used in the Member State of origin or in the
Member State from which a foreign national comes can be confused inthe host Member State with a title requiring in that State additionaltraining which the person concerned has not undergone, the host
Member State may require such a person to use the title employed in
the Member State of origin or the Member State from which he comesin suitable wording to be drawn upby the host Member State.
CHAPTER VI
PROVISIONS TO FACILITATE THE EFFECTIVE EXERCISEOF THE RIGHT OF ESTABLISHMENT ANDFREE D OM TOPROVIDE SERVICES IN RESPECT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF
DENTALPRACTITIONERS
A.Provisionsrelatingspecifically totherightofestablishment
Article 9
1. A host Member State which requires of its nationals proof of
good character or good repute when they take up for the first timeany of the activities referred to in Article 1 shall accept as sufficientevidence, in respect of nationals of other Member States, a certificateissued by a competent authority in the Member State of origin or the
Member State from which the foreign national comes attesting that
the requirements of the Member State as to good character or goodrepute for taking up the activity in question have been met.
2. Where the Member State of origin or the Member State from
which the foreign national comes does not require proof of good char-
acter or good repute of persons wishing to take up the activity in
question for the first time, the host Member State may require ofnationals of the Member State of origin or the Member State fromwhich the foreign national comes an extract from the ‘judicial record’or, failing this, an equivalent document issued by a competent authorityin the Member State of origin or the Member State from which the
foreign national comes.
3. If the host Member State has detailed knowledge of a serious
matter which has occurred prior to the establishment of the personconcerned in that State outside its territory and which is likely to affectthe taking upwithin its territory of the activity concerned, it may1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 8
▼B
inform the Member State of origin or the Member State from which the
foreign national comes.
The Member State of origin or the Member State from which the
foreign national comes shall verify the accuracy of the facts if they
are likely to affect in that Member State the taking upof the activityin question. The authorities in that State shall decide on the natureand extent of the investigation to be made and shall inform the hostMember State of any consequential action which they take with regardto the certificates or documents they have issued.
4. Member States shall ensure the confidentiality of the information
forwarded.
Article 10
1. Where, in a host Member State, provisions laid down by law,
regulation or administrative action are in force laying down require-
ments as to good character or good repute, including provision fordisciplinary action in the event of serious professional misconduct orconviction for criminal offences and relating to the pursuit of any ofthe activities referred to in Article 1, the Member State of origin or
the Member State from which the foreign national comes shall forward
to the host Member State all necessary information regarding measuresor disciplinary action of a professional or administrative nature taken inrespect of the person concerned or regarding criminal penaltiesimposed on him when pursuing his profession in the Member State oforigin or in the Member State from which he comes.
2. If the host Member State has detailed knowledge of a serious
matter which has occurred prior to the establishment of the person
concerned in the State outside its territory and which is likely to affectthe pursuit within its territory of the activity concerned, it may informthe Member State of origin or the Member State from which theforeign national comes.
The Member State of origin or the Member State from which the
foreign national comes shall verify the accuracy of the facts if they
are likely to affect in that Member State the pursuit of the activity inquestion. The authorities in that State shall decide on the nature andextent of the investigation to be made and shall inform the hostMember State of any consequential action which they take with regardto the information they have forwarded in accordance with paragraph
1.
3. Member States shall ensure the confidentiality of the information
forwarded.
Article 11
Where a host Member State requires of its own nationals wishing to
take upor p ursue any of the activities referred to in Article 1 a certifi-cate of physical or mental health, that State shall accept as sufficientevidence thereof the presentation of the document required in theMember State of origin or the Member State from which the foreign
national comes.
Where the Member State of origin or the Member State from which the
foreign national comes does not impose any requirements of this natureon those wishing to take upor p ursue the activity in question, the hostMember State shall accept from such national a certificate issued by acompetent authority in that State corresponding to the certificatesissued in the host Member State.
Article 12
Documents issued in accordance with Articles 9, 10 and 11 may not be
presented more than three months after their date of issue.1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 9
▼B
Article 13
1. The procedure for authorizing the person concerned to take up
any activity referred to in Article 1, pursuant to Articles 9, 10 and 11,must be completed as soon as possible and not later than three monthsafter presentation of all the documents relating to such person, withoutprejudice to delays resulting from any appeal that may be made upon
the termination of this procedure.
2. In the cases referred to in Articles 9 (3) and 10 (2), a request for
re-examination shall suspend the period laid down in paragraph 1.
The Member State consulted shall give its reply within a period of
three months.
On receipt of the reply or at the end of the period the host Member
State shall continue with the procedure referred to in paragraph 1.
Article 14
Where a host Member State requires its own nationals wishing to take
upor p ursue any of the activities referred to in Article 1 to take an oath
or make a solemn declaration and where the form of such oath ordeclaration cannot be used by nationals of other Member States, thatMember State shall ensure that an appropriate and equivalent form ofoath or declaration is offered to the person concerned.
B.Provisionsrelating specifically totheprovisionofservices
Article 15
1. Where a Member State requires of its own nationals wishing to
take upor p ursue' any of the activities referred to in Article 1 anauthorization or membershipof or registration with a p rofessional orga-nization or body, that Member State shall in the case of the provisionof services exempt the nationals of the other Member States from thatrequirement.
The person concerned shall provide services with the same rights and
obligations as the nationals of the host Member State; in particular heshall be subject to the rules of conduct of a professional or administra-tive nature which apply in that Member State.
To this end and in addition to the declaration relating to the provision
of services referred to in paragraph 2 Member States may, so as topermit the implementation of the provisions relating to professional
conduct in force in their territory, provide for automatic temporary
registration with or pro forma membershipof a p rofessional organiza-
tion or body or entry in a register, provided that such registration doesnot delay or in any way complicate the provision of services or imposeany additional costs on the person providing the services.
Where a host Member State adopts a measure pursuant to the second
subparagraph or becomes aware of facts which run counter to theseprovisions, it shall forthwith inform the Member State where the personconcerned is established.
2. The host Member State, may require the person concerned to
make a prior declaration to the competent authorities concerning theprovision of his services where they involve a temporary stay in itsterritory.
In urgent cases this declaration may be made as soon as possible after
the services have been provided.
3. Pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2, the host Member State may
require the person concerned to supply one or more documentscontaining the following particulars:
— the declaration referred to in paragraph 2,
— a certificate stating that the person concerned is lawfully pursuing
the activities in question in the Member State where he is estab-lished,1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 10
▼B
— a certificate that the person concerned holds one or other of the
diplomas, certificates or other evidence of formal qualificationsappropriate for the provi sion of the services in question and
referred to in this Directive.
4. The document or documents specified in paragraph 3 may not be
presented more than 12 months after their date of issue.
5. Where a Member State temporarily or permanently deprives, in
whole or in part, one of its nationals or a national of another Member
State established in its territory of the right to pursue any of the activ-ities referred to in Article 1, it shall, as appropriate, ensure thetemporary or permanent withdrawal of the certificate referred to in thesecond indent of paragraph 3.
Article 16
Where registration with a public social security body is required in a
host Member State for the settlement with insurance bodies of accountsrelating to services rendered to persons insured under social securityschemes, that Member State shall exempt nationals of Member States
established in another Member State from this requirement in cases of
provision of services entailing travel on the part of the personconcerned.
In all cases of provision of services entailing travel on the part of the
person concerned, the host Member State may require him to supply
information to this body in advance, or, in urgent cases, at the earliest
opportunity, concerning the services provided.
C.Provisionscommontotherightofestablishmentandfreedomto
provideservices
Article 17
1. Where in a host Member State the use of the professional title
relating to any of the activities referred to in Article 1 is subject torules, nationals of other Member States who fulfil the conditions laiddown in Articles 2, 7 (1) and 19 shall use the professional title of thehost Member State which, in that State, corresponds to those conditionsof qualification and shall use the abbreviated title.
2. Paragraph 1 shall also apply to the use of professional titles of
practitioner of specialized dentistry by those who fulfil the conditionslaid down in Articles 4 and 7 (2) respectively.
Article 18
1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the
persons concerned to obtain information on the health and socialsecurity laws and, where applicable, on the professional ethics of thehost Member State.
For this purpose Member States may set up information centres from
which such persons may obtain the necessary information. In the case
of establishment, the host Member States may require the personconcerned to contact these centres.
2. Member States may set up the centres referred to in paragraph 1
within the competent authorities and bodies which they must designate
within the period laid down in Article 24 (1).
3. Member States shall see to it that, where appropriate, the persons
concerned acquire, in their interest and in that of their patients, thelinguistic knowledge necessary for the exercise of their profession inthe host Member State.1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 11
▼B
CHAPTER VII
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS COVERING THE SPECIAL
CASEOFITALY
Article 19
From the date on which Italy takes the measures necessary to comply
with this Directive, Member States shall recognize, for the purposes ofcarrying out the activities referred to in Article 1 of this Directive, the
diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in
medicine awarded in Italy to persons who had begun their universitymedical training not later than 18 months after notification of thisDirective, accompanied by a certificate issued by the competent Italianauthorities, certifying that these persons have effectively, lawfully and
principally been engaged in Italy in the activities specified in Article 5
of Directive 78/687/EEC for at least three consecutive years during thefive years prior to the issue of the certificate and that these persons areauthorized to carry out the said activites under the same conditions asholders of the diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualifi-cations referred to in Article 3 (f) of this Directive.
The requirement of three years' experience referred to in the first
subparagraph shall be waived in the case of persons who have success-fully completed at least three years of study which are certified by the
competent authorities as being equivalent to the training referred to in
Article 1 of Directive 78/687/EEC.
CHAPTER VIII
FINALPROVISIONS
Article 20
Member States which require their own nationals to complete a
preparatory training period in order to become eligible for appointment
as a dental practitioner of a social security scheme may impose thesame requirement on nationals of the other Member States for a periodof eight years following notification of this Directive. The trainingperiod may not, however, exceed six months.
Article 21
In the event of justified doubts, the host Member State may require of
the competent authorities of another Member State confirmation of the
authenticity of the diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formalqualifications issued in that other Member State and referred to inChapters II, III and IV, and also confirmation that the person concernedhas fulfilled all the training requirements laid down in Directive 78/687/EEC.
Article 22
Within the time limit laid down in Article 24 (1), Member States shall
designate the authorities and bodies competent to issue or receive thediplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications aswell as the documents and information referred to in this Directiveand shall forthwith inform the other Member States and the Commis-sion thereof.
Article 23
The Directive shall also apply to the nationals of Member States who,
in accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68, are or will bepursuing as employed persons any of the activities referred to in Article1.
Article 24
1. Member States shall take the measures necessary to comply with
this Directive within 18 months of its notification and shall forthwith1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 12
▼B
inform the Commission thereof. However, Italy shall take these
measures within a maximum period of six years and in any eventwhen it takes those necessary to comply with Directive 78/687/EEC.
2. Member States shall forward to the Commission the texts of the
main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field coveredby this Directive.
Article 25
Where a Member State encounters major difficulties in certain fields
when applying this Directive, the Commission shall examine thesedifficulties in conjunction with that State and shall request the opinionof the Committee of Senior Officials on Public Health set upby Deci-sion 75/365/EEC(
1), as last amended by Decision 78/689/EEC(2).
Where necessary, the Commission shall submit appropriate proposals to
the Council.
Article 26
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1978L0686 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 13
(1) OJ No L 167, 30. 6. 1975, p. 19.
(2) See page 17 of this Official Journal.