• IDA AGM taking place this Saturday (May 8th) • Successful resolution of collective bargaining issue a pre-condition for discussions on dental reform • ‘The State’s scheme for medical card holders is in a death spiral which highlights the urgent need for agreed way to engage dentists’

IDA to address Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health on medical card scheme today. Current failings of medical card scheme have led to ‘lifetime of embarrassment, decreased nutrition and loss of wellbeing’ for patients.

Funding drops of up to 48% for dental medical card scheme recorded in just three years. Medical card scheme in ‘complete chaos’. ‘The general approach of the Department of Health suggests a level of disrespect, if not contempt, for medical card patients’.