Watchdog calls for reform of dental profession

CONSUMERS have suffered price rises of more than 170% in dental fees because of restrictive trade practices and a shortage of dentists, consumer watchdogs revealed yesterday.

The cost of dental work has risen at twice the rate of inflation over the past eight years while patients are waiting up to four years for treatment.

Yesterday, the Competition Authority urged a wide-ranging overhaul of the profession to reduce prices and increase the availability of dental care.