As president of the SMD, what is the key message you would like to convey to dentists?
The message I leave to my colleagues is clear: it is essential that they unionise. Only by uniting as a class will we be able to reverse the state of degradation in which we find ourselves. The SMD is the only trade union association capable of effectively turning around the current situation of dentistry in Portugal. However, for this to happen and for the SMD to become a trade union structure that is increasingly representative of our profession, it is essential that all colleagues join our organisation.
As the popular proverb says: ‘Unity is strength.’ It is precisely through this unity around the SMD that we will be able to fight for better conditions, for greater recognition of our profession and for a more promising future for all dentists. Together we are stronger and capable of making a difference. The profession must wake up to the problems. We must be alert, participate and get involved in this fight.
Recently, we have been confronted with serious problems, simply because we have been ignoring them or burying our heads in the sand. If we do not confront them, they will not go away. There is an urgent need for dentists to be present in decision-making bodies. Active participation is a sine qua non for influencing the decisions that affect us. No other profession will do it for us. Dear colleagues, there is a world out there… outside the clinic where we work.
The full interview is available in DentalPro magazine 183.
