Shocking impact of cuts in state funding for dental care as Ireland faces oral health crisis. Irish Dental Association calls for urgent action.

57% of cases resolved within the calendar year. Warning on DIY orthodontic care.

The Irish Times reports that state support for dental treatment, through PRSI and medical card schemes, has fallen from a high of almost €150 million in 2009 to less than €75 million last year.

CSO figures show 57% reduction in household spending over past 5 years.

New IDA President calls for: Urgent publication of new oral health policy. Appointment of a full time Chief Dental Officer. Proportion of revenue from sugar tax to go to oral health programmes. Ring fenced funding of dental care following cuts of €500m. Staff shortages in the public dental service to be addressed.

Visit should happen before the 1st birthday. Call for schools and sports teams to stop distributing sugar containing drinks and treats. Sugar tax revenue could finance new children’s ‘first tooth, first visit’ programme.

The Irish Dental Association has criticised a decision by the Minister for Finance not to ring fence revenue raised through the introduction of a sugar tax to fund oral health promotion initiatives. The IDA had previously called for a percentage of the revenue raised from any ‘sugar tax’ to be directed towards oral healthcare programmes.

The Dental Council has issued a statement on orthodontic appliances provided directly to members of the public as it has recently become aware that a number of manufacturers are providing orthodontic appliances directly to the public outside of the dental surgery setting.