Code 36 What is it?

To date, in France, it is not sufficiently clear to patients whether a practitioner of Orthodontics or Dento-Facial Orthopedics (synonymous terms) is a Qualified Specialist or a Non-Specialist, and many "other diplomas" or terms lead to confusion.

At present, the one and only diploma giving direct access to the title of Qualified Specialist in Dentofacial Orthopedics is the Diplôme d'Etudes Spécialisées d'Orthopédie Dento-Faciale (DES-ODF), formerly known as the CECSMO (Certificat d'Etudes Cliniques Spéciales Mention Orthodontie), or a European master's degree in orthodontic specialization officially recognized in France.

This diploma requires 4 years of study after obtaining the diploma of Doctor of Dental Surgery. During these 4 years, the practitioner completes a full-time internship (like a medical specialist) in the Orthodontics Department of a Faculty of Dental Surgery, representing more than 7,600 hours of classroom and clinical training, culminating in a dissertation. Throughout their career, specialists are obliged to follow ongoing training in the development of their specialty. Any other diploma with the mention "Orthodontics" is not equivalent to the title of specialist.

In France, there are over 43,000 dentists, but only 2,200 are qualified specialists in Orthodontics. Assurance Maladie makes no difference to treatment reimbursement between an Orthodontic Specialist and a non-specialist. The only difference is the code 36 for specialists, hence the "CODE 36, Spécialiste Qualifié en Orthodontie" label.

You should also be aware that terms such as "Orthodontics Exclusive" indicate that the practitioner is a NON-specialist dentist practicing orthodontics only.

Code 36 is the code that appears on the "feuille de soins" and "fiche verte de Demande d'Entente Préalable" (DEP) forms sent to the Assurance Maladie every 6 months for reimbursement of orthodontic treatment. Code 36 is used to distinguish between a Specialist in Dento-Facial Orthopedics (or Orthodontics) and a non-specialist.

Now you know, you can make an informed choice about whether to go to a qualified orthodontic specialist or a non-specialist.

Remember to check whether your practitioner is "CODE 36, Qualified Specialist in Orthodontics".

Some mutual insurance companies force patients to go to a practitioner to get better reimbursement, but you are free to choose your practitioner and above all check :

"Code 36, Qualified Orthodontic Specialist