Dental Care Crisis in Saxony-Anhalt: Despite Expansion, Shortages Loom
Despite the recently announced increase in dental school places, the Left party in Saxony-Anhalt warns of severe dental care shortages within the state. The health policy spokesperson, Nicole Anger, emphasized that the capacity for dental education must be significantly expanded.
Aging Workforce Exacerbates the Crisis
In the coming years, a large number of healthcare professionals, including dentists, will reach retirement age in Saxony-Anhalt. According to the state government’s response to Anger’s inquiry, the provision of dental care in the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district currently stands at 68.8%, while in the Jerichower Land district, it is only 61.9%.
Long Wait Times and Limited Access
These shortages have led to extended waiting times for appointments. New patients often face difficulty finding care. The situation is particularly concerning in rural areas.
Government’s Response: Expanding Education
To address this issue, the state government has resolved to increase the number of dental education opportunities. At Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, ten additional dental school places will be created, bringing the total to 50 per year.
Furthermore, a cooperative project with Hungary will fund an additional ten places. Unlike in Germany, students in Hungary do not require top grades to enter the program; those with an average as low as 2.6 may qualify. In return, scholarship recipients commit to working as dentists in Saxony-Anhalt for at least five years following graduation.
Limited Impact of Expansion
While the Kassenzahnärztliche Vereinigung (KZV), the association of statutory health insurance dentists, acknowledges that the government’s measures will mitigate the impending shortage, they maintain that the crisis will not be fully resolved. The KZV is exploring the possibility of operating its own medical care centers where dentists could work as employees.
Diversifying Care Models
Anger welcomes the potential for public medical care centers. "Many dentists prefer to be employed rather than running their own practice," she said. However, she also stressed the government’s responsibility in ensuring that rural areas provide a high quality of life to attract healthcare professionals. "Daycare availability, local primary schools, and reliable public transportation are all part of the package," Anger stated.
Comprehensive Solution Required
To fully address the dental care shortage, a comprehensive approach is required. In addition to expanding education and diversifying care models, the government must invest in improving infrastructure and services in rural areas to make them more attractive to dentists. By working in concert, these measures can help ensure accessible and timely dental care for all residents of Saxony-Anhalt.
