Spain: CNMC acts against College of Dentists

The antitrust authority of Spain launched a disciplinary action against the Official College of Dentists and Stomatologists of the I Region, as well as the General Council of Official Associations of Dentists and Stomatologists, accused of excluding commercial dentistry brands from the market.

The National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) detected possible anticompetitive practices through coordinated actions in the form of agreements, advertising campaigns and other activities carried out between 2013 and 2017, seeking to “hinder the provision of services by commercial brand dentistry clinics… “, actions which are prohibited by the Law of Defense of Competition.

The complaint, which must be resolved within 18 months, was motivated by complaints filed by Dentoestetic Center for Dental Health and Aesthetics (DENTIX) and Dental Global Management SL (iDENTAL). In response, the General Dentists Council described the CNMC’s performance as “surprising” in its assessment of the complaint filed by iDENTAL, which has been accused of crimes including fraud and false advertising.