The Tooth Fairy in Law: Anesthesia in Dentistry Will Become Mandatory from October 1st

      July 10, 2026 13:44 Society The Ministry of Health of Russia plans significant changes in the field of dentistry that will affect all patients. Starting from October 1, 2026, doctors will be required to use anesthesia for any painful procedures. This innovation aims to improve the quality of dental care and reduce patients' fear of visiting the doctor.

      The main goal of mandatory anesthesia use is to break the vicious cycle of fear of the dental chair. Many patients, fearing pain, prefer to have teeth extracted rather than treated. Now the state guarantees every patient's right to painless treatment. This not only improves patient comfort but also allows doctors to work more efficiently and effectively. Alexey Antipenko, a dentist, emphasized in a comment for 360.ru that if a patient experiences pain or discomfort, the doctor cannot focus on their work, which can lead to a decrease in the quality of treatment. Therefore, he fully supports the Ministry of Health's initiative.

      Many patients are concerned about the cost of anesthesia. If it becomes mandatory, will everyone have to pay for it, even those who do not experience pain? Alexey Antipenko explained that the cost of anesthesia is relatively low compared to the overall cost of dental services. In the compulsory health insurance system, the medical insurance fund covers the expenses for anesthesia. The compulsory health insurance policy already includes expenses for various dental procedures, including anesthesia. However, in the case of voluntary health insurance, the situation may vary. Each insurance company sets its own conditions and list of covered services. In any case, doctors cannot guarantee quality treatment if it is performed without anesthesia and the patient experiences pain, the expert emphasized.

      Another important issue is allergies to medications. Although allergies to anesthetics are rare, clinics are required to consider this possibility and collect detailed medical histories from each patient. If a patient is found to be allergic to a certain medication, an alternative will be offered. In most cases, allergic reactions to different types of anesthesia occur very rarely. Doctors also take into account risk groups, such as patients with cardiovascular diseases and pregnant women. Clinics always have a range of anesthetics that can be selected for each patient. If the necessary medication is not available, the procedure will be postponed until it arrives. For temporary pain relief, for example, in cases of pulpitis, doctors may use alternative pain relief methods. This allows time to be gained until the required medication becomes available in the clinic. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+