HIN South London

Health in Norway Exchange program

About us

HIN South London – Health in Norway is an exchange program (and still in effect after Brexit). About 100 universities and hospitals are in the partnership. The goal is to share knowledge and competence across borders. If you are a medical student either from Britain or Norway you can apply for the exchange program here (deadline first of November every year).

Connecting UK and Norwegian health care students - statistics from year one.

361

Students

125

Psychologists

203

Dentists

33

Surgeons

Latest findings

Wage Comparison of Norwegian & UK Dentists

Wage Comparison of Norwegian & UK Dentists

Our goal at HIN South London is (as stated on our front page) to share knowledge and competence across the borders of Britain and Norway. Such a website would not be complete without answering one of the most common questions the dental students in our exchange program asks: “Who earns more: Norwegian or UK dentists?”

The answer to this is a bit more nuanced than giving these students the flat numbers. Usually, we explain a little more about the different costs of living in Norway and the UK instead of answering the question directly. That’s also what we’ll be doing for you today. We start out by looking at the raw statistics. 

Average Salary of Norwegian Dentists

The average salary of a dentist in Norway is 1,420,000 NOK, or roughly 118,000 British pounds, according to statistics from ERI Economic Research Institute. Average wage bonuses add up to about 50,000 NOK, or 4175 GBP per year.

Average Salary of UK Dentists

The average dentist salary in the UK is 101,000 GBP (numbers also found at ERI). Average wage bonuses add up to 3,546 GBP per year. The salary of a dentist in the UK can vary depending on their level of experience, whether they work full-time or part-time and what sector they work for.

What we can conclude from these numbers, is that Norwegian dentists earn significantly more than UK dentists. This is also the case in many other sectors, as Norway is a high-wage country, compared to most others. On the other hand, the costs of goods and services are also higher in Norway. Therefore, the choice of whether to work in Norway or the UK should not hinge on salary alone.

Factors That Affect a Dentist’s Salary

To find out more about the factors that affect a dentist’s salary, we reached out to the nearby clinic Majorstuen Tannlegesenter in Oslo, which is located just a few minutes drive from the University of Oslo (Medical faculty). Here is what they told us.

The average dentist salary is indeed 1,420,000 NOK, but the factors that affect a dentist’s salary are not as straightforward as one might think. Many variables can affect the salary, such as the type of dental clinic they work in, their location and the number of years they have been practicing. For example, dentists who work in metropolitan areas typically earn more than those who practice in rural areas.

Dentists can also expect to earn more or less, depending on whether they have certain specializations that few other dental clinics offer. The best way to find out how much you can expect to earn is by looking at your specific location and specialty area, and by asking people who are already doing what you want to do.

How Dental Care Is Changing Right Now

How Dental Care Is Changing Right Now

Today, the dental industry has seen a significant increase in the number of people with oral health problems. Oral health is a major concern for many people since it impacts one’s ability to eat and speak. This has led to an increase in the demand for dental care.

At the same time, dental care is quickly changing with more and more people choosing to have dental treatments. The use of technology in dental care has increased in recent years, enabling welcome features like invisible braces (that lower the threshold of correcting one’s teeth), as well as more effective treatments (that lower the total time spent doing dental surgeries, while increasing the outcome).

Companies like Philips are using AI to help improve the quality of their patients’ health. They have partnered up with IBM Watson to develop a new AI assistant – Watson Dental Assistant – that can provide doctors with information about patient’s records, as well as offer suggestions for treatments and educate patients on how to better maintain their oral health.

In addition, there are many other trends in dental care such as mobile dentistry and remote dentistry where patients can receive treatment from anywhere via video chat instead of having to come into the office for appointments.

With the advances in technology, there is a lot of information on how personal care can be better by choice. Dentists are now using 3D printing and robotics to create more efficient dental care and also help patients avoid major health issues down the road.

How Technology is Reinventing Dentist’s Jobs and Tools Today

Technology has made some dentist jobs easier. Dentists don’t have to do the physical work anymore when they can just use scanners, computers and other equipment to do it instead.

The introduction of these tools has resulted in a major shift in how dentistry is practiced today. However, the new technology also presents challenges for dentists and dental students because there are some things that automated tools can’t handle yet. For example, human dentists will still be needed in order to give patients a personal touch and deal with complex problems like gum disease that cannot be detected by automated systems.

In conclusion, technology is reinventing the dentist’s toolbox today – from scanners and computers to digital assistants like Siri and Cortana. But live dentists will still be needed for many years ahead, until sophisticated enough technology can perform the job as well as they do.

Where we got our conclusions:

  • “Companies like Philips are using AI to help improve the quality of their patients’ health”: Philips Healthcare – Four Applications of AI in Dental Care, Dutch developer of health technology
  • “… new technology also presents challenges for dentists and dental students because there are some things that automated tools can’t handle yet”: Greverud Tannlegesenter – Tannlege i Kolbotn, Norwegian dental clinic
  • “Dentists are now using 3D printing and robotics to create more efficient dental care”: Dental Tribune International – 3D printing, International news and education distributor

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Dental Exchange Student?

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Dental Exchange Student?

International exchanges take place all over the world and can be either full or partial programs which allows you to choose the amount of time you want to spend abroad. These exchange programs allow students from one university or college to study abroad at another university or college. Countries such as China, Sweden, Australia, and Mexico offer exchange programs through their embassies and consulates, and so does the UK and Norway for dental students, as is the focus of this website. Read on to discover some of the advantages and disadvantages of being a dental exchange student.

The Upsides of Enrolling in an Exchange Program for Dental Students

Exchange programs are a great way to learn new skills and get a taste of a different culture. You will get to meet new friends, explore a new country, and gain a new outlook on life. Furthermore, you will learn how to live on your own and take responsibility for yourself, without the direct aid of your parents or other relatives.

A lot of people, especially young people, dream of going overseas to experience a different lifestyle and learn more about the world. Going abroad will increase your cultural diversity, awareness, and acceptance, meaning you will become a more worldly individual. If these things excite you, feel free to read more about our exchange program on our front page and our blog.

Possible Downsides to an Exchange Program for Dental Students

Over the past few years, exchange programs have become increasingly popular among universities around the world. As mentioned above, these programs provide students with opportunities to live abroad and gain skills in an international education environment.

However, there are some possible downsides to these programs that dental students should be aware of before joining one. Some of these downsides include cost, inability to find a job for newcomers after returning home, and having less time for family and friends back home.

  • Cost: Despite the fact that many exchange programs provide free tuition, it can still cost a lot of money to pay for living expenses and travel – expenses that wouldn’t have occurred in your home country. In Norway, for example, tuition is free from the outset, and many students live home with their parents during studies, meaning they don’t have much costs associated with either living or studying.
  • Inability to find a job: Gaining international experience might actually work against your favor if you spend too big a part of your education abroad. Niclas Berggren, owner of a Norwegian dental clinic (see website: Tannlege i Hønefoss), confirms this in a press conference where he says that, although he naturally encourages dental students to join exchange programs for a semester or two, he thinks they should complete the bulk of their education back here in Norway, since this is where they will be practicing once they start their career.
  • Having less time for family and friends: Needless to say, going abroad to complete your dental studies will separate you from your close ones for long stretches at a time. This can be tough on some people, depending on how used they are to this kind of situation.

Just as for any other student, it is important for dental students to weigh the pros and cons of an exchange program before deciding whether or not it is worth it for them. 

What the NHS can learn from the Norwegian health system

Norway is ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. There are many factors that contribute to this high ranking, but one of them is their low cost of medical care. Norway’s healthcare system has been regarded as number one for almost 20 years, according to the World Health Organization. Norway’s health care system is so efficient and effective because, among other things, it emphasizes prevention before problems arise and maintaining people’s health, rather than curing them after they are sick or injured.

The healthcare system we have in England – National Health Service (NHS) – is one of the world’s leading systems, but there are still many improvements that could be made. For example, when compared to Norway, we see that Norway has fewer doctors per person than the United Kingdom, yet it has a lower mortality rate. There’s a lot we can learn from Norwegian health care reforms to make the NHS more affordable and efficient. 

To understand more about the strength of the Norwegian health system, and what the UK’s health system – NHS – may learn from it, we will first outline what the Norwegian Healthcare System is about, and some of its strong points, before we will try to make some conclusions.

What is the Norwegian Healthcare System?

The Norwegian healthcare system is a universal, socialized system. There are many similarities to other healthcare systems in countries like America and England, but Norway has – with its strong results – succeeded to a higher degree, perhaps both on the points where they differ from us, but also on what we do similarly.

Norway’s healthcare system is funded by taxes and administered by the state. It is available for all citizens of Norway, which includes both Norwegian citizens living in Norway and Norwegian ex-pats living abroad. The number of people covered under this system has increased two-fold in the last 25 years due to an increase in immigration from other countries.

The government does provide healthcare services for its citizens at no cost to the patient, but citizens must pay 10% of any treatment costs that are not paid for by the government as an income tax surcharge if their taxable income exceeds 500,000 NOK per year (approximately $62,000). 

5 Things to Know About Norway’s Health System

Here are some facts that will help introduce you to Norway’s health system:

  • In Norway, there is no compulsory private insurance, so everyone is entitled to free healthcare under the public system.
  • Healthcare in Norway is mostly provided by the government through municipal health services. The government ensures that citizens receive an equal standard of care at all hospitals.
  • The country also has a universal system of insurance, where nearly everyone is guaranteed access to their choice of public or private healthcare. This means that healthcare is free for people aged 16 to 66 years old, while those who are over 66 years old will have to pay 10% in co-payments.
  • There are two exceptions in Norwegian healthcare: the first one being the use of private clinics and the second one being dentistry care which can be both private or public.
  • The current system has been in place since 1978 and it has been praised for its simplicity and efficiency.

Until now we have been looking quite broadly at the benefits of how Norway does things with its healthcare services. But what are some of the strongest points of their system?

Universal health care coverage for all citizens

Norway’s universal health care coverage is a system of public health care with two main features. The first is that all citizens have the right to basic health care services regardless of employment or income. The second is that all citizens pay a modest level of income-related contributions towards the cost of services through taxation.

The Low Cost of Prescriptions and Medicines in Norway

In contrast with the United States and other countries, where many people’s health insurance plans don’t cover prescriptions and medicines, the Norwegian government has a system that provides nearly universal coverage for citizens.

This means that Norwegians don’t have to worry about the cost of their prescriptions and medicines. They can easily access them at a low cost from pharmacies located in pharmacies across Norway.

In other countries, it is not as easy for those who do not have insurance to afford their prescriptions and medicines. Not only is there usually a high monthly premium, but also high deductibles that citizens must pay before they are covered by health insurance.

Conclusion: Why Is the Norwegian Healthcare System So Successful?

The Norwegian healthcare system is by far one of the best in the world. Norway has the 8th-highest life expectancy, according to World Health Organization data. The country also pays less for private health insurance than any other country.

To maintain this high standard, Norway relies on its national funding. The government funds universal healthcare coverage for all citizens and provides free or inexpensive care for many medical procedures.

Norway’s public health care system combines the features of a social welfare state with a market-based service delivery model to provide pensions and other forms of social security, while also maintaining an efficient universal health care system that provides free or low-cost hospital treatment at close to 100% occupancy rates.

The general lessons that the NHS can learn from Norway are to reform their hospital system by making it more efficient, cut costs by cutting down on bureaucracy, improve services for mental health patients, focus on prevention rather than treatment, and invest in technology – this will help them reduce costs without compromising patients’ access to quality care.

How tax policies determine the quality of health care

Tax policies are essential to the quality of healthcare. Without an adequate taxation system, it would be difficult to afford medical treatment or other necessary expenses related to one’s health.

In today’s article, we will use the welfare state of Norway as an example when looking at how taxes lay the foundation for a well-working health care system. 

The way to finance health care workforce and modern equipment 

One thing Norway has become known, almost infamous for, is its heavy taxation system. Most Norwegian citizens may expect a tax percentage as high as 30 to 35 percent, compared to 10 to 15 in Russia and the US. It is even considered high among Englishmen who pay 20 to 25 percent out of their pockets each month. Despite how horrible it might sound to repeatedly lose a third of one’s wages (that one will “never see again), there are some quite important reasons for the high tax policy in Norway.

The truth of the matter is that taxes help to finance the workforce and modern equipment for hospitals and other health care services. This is a very important fact to consider, especially in the current climate where cuts in funding are a major concern. Taxable income provides the necessary revenue for governments to invest in hospitals, schools, and public infrastructures such as roads and bridges.

Taxes provide stability in the society by redistributing wealth from those who have more than they need to those who need it more. Taxes also provide a safety net for people who cannot work due to disability or old age.

The higher the income tax, the better the healthcare is. This is because, in countries with a progressive taxation system, there will be a trickle-down effect on the quality of healthcare. The more money people make, the more money will be allocated to improving their quality of life and their healthcare situation.

Good use of tax money

It is important to note that, if high taxation is going to do any good, then it must be used in the right ways.

Tax revenues are, again, used by governments in order to provide public goods. This includes health care services that might be needed in the future. It is necessary for governments to invest more in health care services in order to improve the quality of life of their citizens. The people will only have access to better services if higher taxes are actually used to fund a sufficient health care workforce and modern equipment. 

Some things we may grasp from looking at the connection between Norway’s taxation and health care system are that: 

  • Provided that a nation’s leadership has the intention to improve health care services, higher taxes will lead to better services for the people
  • If a nation’s leadership is not interested in improving hospitals and other infrastructures that support people’s health, then higher taxes won’t necessarily lead to a better health system
  • Therefore, in order for the quality of a nation’s health care to be improved, there must be a connection between higher taxes and higher funding of the things that constitute a good health system

Interview with future psychologists from the University of Oslo

It’s no secret that psychologists are in demand these days. They are needed for counseling, therapy, and research. What you might not know is that this career path is still relatively new. And while there are many doctoral degrees in psychology, the University of Oslo (UiO) offers a Bachelor’s degree to future psychologists which can be completed in just three years.

When we began researching this topic, we found out that it was hard to find information about the program online. UiO did not have any information available on their website either so we were unable to find contact details for someone who could answer any questions about the Bachelor’s degree in psychology. These questions included: What kind of background do you need? Is there an interview process? What does this degree entail?

So we had a pretty clear plan about what we wanted to know so we could share some interesting insights with our readers. As we got into the interview, however, we were pleased to see that our conversation took a completely different direction when one of our interviewees starting talking about online therapy – something that is also becoming increasingly popular in Norway, as it has here in the UK. Below, we share what we learned from the psychology students on this topic.

Meet 3 future psychologists from the University of Oslo

The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation for research and teaching excellence. They offer unique study programs in subjects that are highly relevant to the future, one of which is online psychology. We were privileged to talk to three of the highest-performing students, John, Thea, and Andrea.

  • John is from Bergen, and favors online therapy as a method of practicing as a psychologist
  • Andrea grew up in Tromso, and leans more towards traditional psychology in an office
  • Thea is from Oslo, and seems to harbor positive views about both methods

Some are eager to work as online psychologists

Therapy has traditionally been associated exclusively with in-person sessions. But in recent years, there’s been a paradigm shift in the way therapy is offered. Online therapy has grown to be an especially popular option for people who are looking for treatment but either can’t afford it or don’t have the time to take off work.

Therapy is typically considered the solution for acute symptoms that are interfering with day-to-day life, but many people use therapy to help them cope with day-to-day life and work stressors, too. Online therapy gives you access to professional therapeutic services without having to leave your home or office and without needing insurance coverage. It also may be more affordable than traditional therapy sessions since there’s no need for travel or co-pays if you don’t have health insurance.

According to John, the skillset of an online psychologist is very similar to that of a traditional therapist or counselor. In some cases, they might even have more training on the subject because they have dealt with these subjects more often in their career.

Furthermore, he says that in order to be a successful online psychologist, you would need to know how to deal with a variety of people. You need to understand the way that different people think, behave and react. You would need to know how to communicate with them in a way that is both meaningful and makes sense for them. And you would need to all of this over the computer, which can be a big challenge. But John is positive that this is the way for him to go, and he also says that several students in his class are of the same opinion.

Others prefer traditional psychology practice in an office

Despite the benefits of remote therapy, Thea still prefers the traditional office-based model. Office-based psychologists are less expensive than their remote counterparts, but they are also less flexible. They are required to have a landline phone, and they may need to use out-of-date equipment that is unable to provide certain services. This can be a disadvantage for people who want to take care of their mental health during off-hours in the middle of the night.

The main benefit that Thea wants to highlight about working with psychologists in an office is that they are able to give you the one-on-one attention that you need. They are able to understand your needs better than someone who may be looking at your file through a computer screen.

Furthermore, psychologists in an office can use their years of expertise and experience to better assess the situation and provide recommendations.

Whereas John appeared to have set his heart on online therapy, and Thea on traditional office practice, Andrea shared a third perspective that we found quite interesting: she wanted to base her practice in an office, but also be available for online sessions. This is an idea she took from doctors, who are becoming more and more accustomed to giving guidance both in the same room as the person who needs to check up on their health, as well as online. 

A big thanks to the future psychologists John, Thea, and Andrea for sharing their perspectives with us!

A closer look at Norway’s coming dental reform

After the Labor Party won the Norwegian elections this year, the new government has announced that it will work toward an increased focus on free dental services. 

Norway’s coming dental reform is an effort to provide more affordable and accessible dental care for all. Succeeding in this endeavor will take time, money, and a plan that takes the most important factors into account when deciding how to go about the reform. 

The wish for more affordable dental care

Norway’s new prime minister, Jonas Gahr Store, is being pushed by people from his own faction to bring the new changes that are being discussed heavily, according to the Norwegian newspaper magazine E24. The goal is, as stated in the introduction, to institute a system that brings more affordable dental care. Some want to phase in this system gradually, whereas others want to bring it in as soon as possible – effective immediately. 

Norway’s coming dental reform will not be cheap

As with most reforms, Norway’s coming dental reform won’t be cheap. It will take a lot of money, planning, and implementation processes to succeed as the new status quo. Before the elections, both the Centre Party and the Labor Party announced that they wished to institute a reform within the dental industry – and both parties also agreed that this process would be costly and that it would require tough prioritization in the state budget. 

Any person who is familiar with economics is that money is not an inexhaustible resource; no matter how eager someone is to produce a change in the government, there are many factors to consider. The national economic pie only has a given number of pieces – once we’ve taken all of them, it’s hard to summon up new ones from nowhere. 

The hundred-day plan

The state of dental care today is the following: 

  • Free for children under 18 years of age
  • 19- and 20-year-olds get cheaper treatment than adults
  • Adults more than 20 years old mainly have to pay the dental bill on their own

In the Labor Party’s hundred-day plan, the changes in dental care will be:

  • Free for children under 19-21 years of age
  • Half price for those between 22-25 years old
  • Individualized aid schemes for those who cannot afford full price

These changes appear to take people’s personal lives better into account, giving them more time to “grow up” before they start “adult life.” After all, there are lots of students who go to college until they are 22-25 years old, depending on whether they’re studying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or whether they’re studying for a profession such as being a psychologist or dentist. 

Can Norwegians trust this reform to happen? 

After looking at the changes that will take if Norway’s dental reform happens, we must ask: can they trust that it actually will happen? In the past, other parties have also given lofty hopes to Norwegian citizens about how dental care would become cheaper for more people. But these promises did not come to pass. 

The current government, however, does have a strong understanding of Norwegian’s economic problems and has shown a history of working for the causes that will benefit the everyday man and woman. So perhaps it’s safe to have faith in Norway’s coming dental reform and the Labor Party’s hundred-day plan? That will be up to prime minister Jonas Gahr Store and his newly formed government to prove. 

About us

Latest findings

Wage Comparison of Norwegian & UK Dentists

Our goal at HIN South London is (as stated on our front page) to share knowledge and competence across the borders of Britain and Norway.

What the NHS can learn from the Norwegian health system

Norway is ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. There are many factors that contribute to this high ranking, but one of them is their low cost of medical care.

A closer look at Norway’s coming dental reform

After the Labor Party won the Norwegian elections this year, the new government has announced that it will work toward an increased focus on free dental services.

How tax policies determine the quality of health care

Tax policies are essential to the quality of healthcare. Without an adequate taxation system, it would be difficult to afford medical treatment or other necessary expenses related to one’s health.

Interview with future psychologists from the University of Oslo

It’s no secret that psychologists are in demand these days. They are needed for counseling, therapy, and research. What you might not know is that this career path is still relatively new.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Dental Exchange Student?

International exchanges take place all over the world and can be either full or partial programs which allows you to choose the amount of time

Focus areas

Public health care

Health education

Dental

Psychology

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