Government called on to restore dental benefits scheme to pre-2009 levels

The Government has been called to upon to widen access to dental care by restoring the Dental Treatment Benefit scheme pre-2009 levels.

The calls come after problems impacting medical card holders were raised by the Irish Dental Association.

Dundrum councillor Peter O’Brien said: “Our dental health is one of our greatest resources, and preventative treatment saves money in the long term, and ensures a better quality of life.

“Someone should have to have a tooth pulled just because they can’t afford a filling.

“Like with access to GPs, no one should be put off going to the dentist because of costs.

“It’s very concerning to hear Irish dentists say that the medical card system which provides dental care to 1.5 million people in Ireland is on the brink of collapse due to dentists exiting the scheme.

“However, it’s clear that the scheme itself is not fit for purpose and does not embed enough preventative measures to protect vulnerable patients.”

O’Brien says that a reversal of the recession-era financial cuts is needed.

“Over a decade on from the financial crisis and at a time when we have a heightened awareness of the importance of our health, we must reverse the cuts made and look to rebuild our overall capacity in oral health in Ireland.

“As many dentists and oral healthcare practitioners withdraw from the scheme, patients are facing difficulty in accessing treatments.

“This is leading to a scenario where the most vulnerable in society are unable to access adequate oral healthcare to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

“The limitations of the service are bizarre. Those accessing the scheme are entitled to only two free fillings a year.

“Once this quota is reached, the only solution available is extractions.

“So, rather than having access to preventative treatment, people on medical cards are forced to remove teeth, potentially unnecessarily. This is nonsensical.”