Dental professionals rallying outside the legislature
On June 28, 2023, the Dental Association of Saxony-Anhalt will stage a protest in Magdeburg, under the slogan "Lazy Politics - Rotten Teeth". The demonstration aims to address the state government's rejection of a dental quota, similar to that for general practitioners and public health services, and its inaction regarding an impending dental supply crisis.
The protest is being led by Dr. Carsten Huenecke, president of the dental chamber of Saxony-Anhalt. The association is advocating for several measures to secure dental care, particularly in rural areas. These include state-level legislative actions such as the introduction of a "Landzahnarztquote" (a dental student quota for rural practice), scholarship programs to incentivize young dentists to work in underserved regions, and stronger investment to maintain comprehensive dental care access.
The Saxony-Anhalt health ministry has already proposed a new state law targeting the dentist shortage by establishing instruments to promote rural dental practice. However, the dental association is pressing for the speedy implementation of such measures and sustained financial commitment to prevent deterioration in care quality due to cuts and resource constraints.
The association also emphasizes that insufficient dental care leads to higher long-term costs, highlighting the cost-saving aspect of proper preventive dental treatment. Thus, their protest demands revolve around opposing federal cuts that reduce available funding for dental care, calling on the Saxony-Anhalt state government to actively implement and support policies to counteract dentist shortages, and advocating for sustained financial and structural support ensuring accessible, high-quality dental care.
The protest will take place in front of the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt on the Magdeburg Cathedral Square. These advocacies are made in the interest of patients in Saxony-Anhalt, and the rejection of the dental quota by the state government is believed to be detrimental to the dental health of the population. The protest aims to highlight the federal government's cuts to dental fees and performance budgeting.
[1] Saxony-Anhalt's Health Ministry Proposes Law to Combat Dentist Shortage
[2] Dental Association of Saxony-Anhalt Advocates for Rural Dental Practice Measures
[3] The Cost of Neglecting Dental Care: A Look at Long-term Expenses
[4] Federal Government's Dental Care Cuts and Performance Budgeting Criticised
[5] Dental Association of Saxony-Anhalt Calls for Swift Implementation of Measures to Counteract Shortages
- In a bid to address the ongoing dental shortage in rural areas, the Saxony-Anhalt health ministry proposes a new state law aimed at promoting rural dental practice.
- In response to these developments, the Dental Association of Saxony-Anhalt advocates for measures such as a "Landzahnarztquote", scholarships, and increased investment to secure comprehensive dental care access.
- The association stresses the long-term financial implications of insufficient dental care, indicating that proper preventive dental treatment can lead to lower costs over time.
