Medical Well-being - A rural allocation of study places quota exists for aspiring dentists.
In an effort to combat the doctor shortage, the government of Thuringia intends to adjust the doctor-to-student ratio for the allocation of study spots for general practitioners and dentists. The Thuringian parliament is set to finalize the necessary legislation prior to the summer break, as announced by the Left-wing and CDU factions during the weekend. The bill was previously green-lit by the health committee.
The Left's health policy specialist, Ralf Plötner, explained, "By enhancing the long-term appeal of Thuringia for young doctors and dentists, we can substantially reduce the barriers for enrolling in medical studies, which often come with a high numerus clausus."
The land doctor quota initially targeted future general practitioners only, but now includes dentists as well. "The scarcity of dentists in rural regions is becoming a threat. Through the land dentist quota, we aim to guarantee that dental care is accessible to all Thuringians," said the CDU's health policy expert, Christoph Zippel.
The concept involves a pre-quota for the distribution of medical study spots at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. The requirement is that students make a ten-year promise to practice as a general practitioner or dentist in rural areas after graduation. The grade achieved in one's Abitur examination should not be taken into account in the selection process, as it is stated in the Left faction's statement, "Because everyone should have an equal opportunity to attend, irrespective of their graduation note." Instead, there should be a scoring system which considers voluntary activity and prior professional experience as favorable selection criteria.
The Left, SPD, and Greens do not hold a majority in parliament. Therefore, they depend on the support of the opposition to pass laws.
The effects of the legislation will be reviewed for the first time on December 31, 2026, and then every three years. "This allows us to react adaptibly to new demographic developments," said the Left faction. Maternity leave will not be considered as part of the ten-year contract period. The law aims to directly address the predicted high number of retirements, stated Plötner.
