German Dentists Confront a Summer Deadline Pile-Up as Multiple Legal Changes Take Effect
24.06.2026 - 21:04:00 | boerse-global.de
A cluster of new rules from Berlin and Brussels — covering everything from digital security certificates to carcinogen exposure limits — is creating a compliance crunch for dental practices across Germany. The most immediate deadline falls at the end of June, when old digital identity cards will stop working on the nation's health data network.
Since January, the IT security directive under Section 390 of the German Social Code (SGB V) has been binding on practices. But a transition period expires on 30 June: electronic health professional cards (eHBA) and institution cards (SMCB) that still use the RSA algorithm will be blocked from accessing the telematics infrastructure. From 1 July, only ECC certificates will be accepted. Device cards (gSMCKT) have until 31 December 2026 to switch over.
That deadline is not the only source of pressure. A recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has sent a warning to employers, including dental practices. The court ordered Italian football club Lazio Rome to pay damages to player Maja Gothberg after it unlawfully terminated her contract because of her pregnancy. Legal experts call the verdict a precedent: dismissal on grounds of pregnancy is strictly forbidden, and practices must ensure their employment practices reflect that. Meanwhile, the German government is pushing ahead with a reform of the Disability Equality Act (Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz). Private service providers will soon be subject to a ban on discrimination and will have to make reasonable accommodations for accessibility. A new arbitration board will also handle complaints from the private sector.
European-level changes add to the list. The EU Council and the European Parliament have agreed on the sixth revision of the directive on carcinogenic substances. New binding limit values apply to cobalt, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and welding fumes. Since cobalt compounds are used in dental technology, practices must update their documentation obligations. The regulation also mandates regular breaks for workers who wear protective equipment, with the aim of preventing thousands of occupational diseases over time.
With new binding limits on cobalt and other carcinogens coming into force, dental practices across Germany must ensure their documentation is up to date. Keeping track of hazardous substances and their associated paperwork can be complex, but missing a single requirement could lead to enforcement action. A free COSHH toolkit provides 43 ready-to-use templates and checklists specifically designed to help manage compliance with hazardous substance regulations. Download the free COSHH Toolkit
Even as health protections tighten, a proposal to loosen working-time rules is facing pushback. The initiative AOP-GA has criticised plans to move away from the eight-hour working day, arguing that longer daily shifts contradict findings from organisational psychology. In a separate front, the Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ) has attacked the planned specialist dentist reservation clause in the statutory health insurance contribution stabilisation law. FVDZ federal chair Dr. Christian Öttl said: "The licence to practise medicine entitles the holder to practise the whole field of dentistry." The president of the Bavarian Chamber of Dentists, Dr. Dr. Frank Wohl, together with state MP Dr. Andrea Behr, warned that the reservation could be existential for young practice owners. They cited a legal opinion by Prof. Dr. Christian Burholt that declares the provision unconstitutional, and pointed to the example of a young dentist whose €1 million investment could be wiped out by the new restrictions.
For practice owners, the message is clear: the second quarter of 2026 demands attention to multiple fronts — digital security, pregnancy protection, carcinogen compliance, and an unsettled debate over working hours and professional qualifications. Missing the IT deadline at the end of June will cut off access to the health network entirely.
