Serious investment from Budget 2023 needed to avoid collapse of public dentistry, says Irish Dental Association

The first in our series of regional meetings for members take place in Cork (Tuesday) and Limerick (Wednesday) this week.

As people struggle with cost-of-living pressures, access to dental care will only worsen without significant reform, warns Irish Dental Association in its submission to Government in advance of Budget 2023.

Includes information on reform of the Med 2 tax relief scheme, DTSS (medical card) inspections, Dental Council registration of refugee dentists, and a report on opposition TDs criticising the delay in talks on a new medical card scheme.

“We need the Government to intervene in the medical card scheme, public dentist recruitment and the training of dental graduates immediately before we reach crisis levels.” – Dr Caroline Robins

Last week’s increase in fees and expansion of treatments under the DTSS (medical card scheme) will do little to address the fundamental issues that have forced dentists to withdraw from the scheme en masse, says Dr Will Rymer, chair of the Association’s General Practitioner Committee.

Independently commissioned research paper by Professor of Health Economics at Queens University Belfast, Professor Ciaran O’Neill, says a ‘credit or voucher’ scheme would “remove perversities in the current system and help rebuild relations between the public, providers, and Government.”

Dr Colm O’Loghlen of Bridge Street Dental Practice, Tralee, Co Kerry wins Munster Caring Dentist award, as well as overall Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year title. Dr O’Loghlen was recognised for the care he provided to a traumatised teenager out-of-hours after the teen lost his two front teeth in a fall. The teen’s mother said: “Dr O’Loghlen has not only helped to restore my son’s teeth, but he has restored his confidence too.” Ballina Dental Practice win Colgate Caring Dental Team of the Year. Dr Clodagh McAllister, President of the Irish Dental Association: “What makes these awards so special is that it is patients sharing their personal stories, shining a spotlight on the incredible commitment and care that dentists are providing every day in the communities that they serve.”

Without meaningful reform, improved access to dental care is doomed to fail. Investment without reform will not improve access to dental care for medical card patients and will do nothing to arrest exodus of dentists from scheme. Reaction to Budget 2022 from Fintan Hourihan, Chief Executive, Irish Dental Association

The Irish Dental Association has a proud record of delivering for our members in providing advice, offering representation and lobbying vigorously on our members' behalf.