Warnings of ‘elitist dental care’ system

PATIENTS are facing the prospect of an elitist dental care system as a direct result of the budget, with thousands seeking the cheapest and most common treatments facing huge cost rises.

The Irish Dental Association (IDA) has warned that after the budget changes to the PRSI and medical card systems, people attending dentists across the country will see costs rise significantly.

Under the existing Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme system, all adults of working age were entitled to a series of free and subsidised procedures, including a check-up every six months, teeth polishing, fillings, extractions, and denture work.

The scheme was heavily funded by the PRSI system, meaning the Government effectively paid for the treatments.

The policy had been linked to a significant improvement in dental hygiene in Ireland.

However, after the budget changes on Wednesday, patients will have to pay the full cost of the procedures themselves.

And as a result, IDA spokesman Fintan Hourihan has warned that an “elitist dental care” system could emerge, with the least well off avoiding treatments they can no longer afford.