People with disabilities who need general anaesthesia for dental treatment are finding it difficult to find a suitable practice in Lower Saxony Lower Saxony. The NDR highlighted the issue on 11 November 2026, drawing on the experiences of patients and treating doctors. The report said specialist practices often lack anaesthetists for outpatient procedures. Patients are therefore also seeking help at hospitals, where they can expect long waiting times.
The report described the case of a man from Stadthagen, who, according to his mother, had not seen a dentist for two years. She reported tooth decay and a need for urgent treatment. Because of his disability, he needs an anaesthetic for this. His case illustrates a gap in care that does not affect all people with disabilities equally, but can have serious consequences for patients who need particular support.
The NDR partly attributes the difficulties to the fees paid for outpatient anaesthesia. According to its report, fees for anaesthetists treating children in Lower Saxony were reduced. Although the change does not directly affect people with disabilities, treating fewer children could make it harder for practices to fill their operating schedules. This, in turn, makes it more difficult to attract anaesthetists for treatment days. This account describes a regional situation and should not be confused with a nationwide fee regulation.
The Hannover Medical School takes patients who cannot find treatment elsewhere, according to a senior doctor working there. He told the NDR about waiting times of several months and last-minute cancellations when urgent cases take priority. The hospital believes a clear billing structure and better distribution of patients among suitable practices and hospitals are needed. According to the NDR, Lower Saxony’s state commissioner for people with disabilities called for accessible specialist practices and regional treatment centres with reliably available anaesthesia.
Experts had already described needs extending beyond Lower Saxony before the latest coverage. The Federal Association of Public Health Dentists pointed out on 20 February 2026 that sufficient provision under general anaesthesia is necessary for people who cannot manage treatment while awake. A report by the Lower Saxony Dental Association had already highlighted long waiting times for people with serious illnesses and disabilities in 2024.
Whether an appointment is available is a separate issue from entitlement to treatment: according to the Federal Joint Committee medically necessary treatment for tooth decay is covered for people with statutory health insurance. Certain people with disabilities and those requiring care are also entitled to additional preventive services, such as advice on oral hygiene. However, entitlement alone does not solve the problem of finding a practice equipped for an individual’s needs and, if necessary, an anaesthesia team.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).