In Saxony, 34 applicants have applied for a place to study to become a regional dentist. Eight places are available for the coming winter semester, as announced by the Ministry of Health in Dresden. The interested candidates underwent a multi-stage selection process by the state directorate, which included a study aptitude test and, for promising candidates, selection interviews.
Last December, the Saxon state parliament passed the "State Dentist Act", which allows up to 8.1 percent of places in dentistry to be awarded to applicants who are interested in working in rural areas. By accepting a place, successful candidates commit to working as a dentist for at least ten years "in an underserved area or an area threatened by undersupply in the Free State of Saxony", according to the law.
Since 2022, there has been a similar program for junior medical students in Saxony. Last year, Saxony's Minister of State for Health, Petra Köpping (SPD), presented an interim report on the program. According to the report, the number of applicants has steadily increased - from 67 in 2022 to 130 in 2024. The average age was now 21, and two thirds of applicants were female, according to the figures. Students have rarely dropped out so far. The first students on this program are expected to be ready for deployment in 2033/34 after completing their studies and specialist training.
