Dentists vote no confidence in Government over €110m cutbacks
The meeting in Croke Park unanimously passed a motion of no confidence in the Government in terms of its capacity to deal with the dental care of the nation.
Irish Dental Association chief executive Fintan Hourihan said the Government had destroyed what minimal support it had given to dental healthcare in recent years.
Dentists have warned that the consequences of budget changes to the PRSI and medical card schemes would be huge for both dentists and patients alike. The cut in the medical card scheme would mean that instead of it being demand-led, some medical card patients would be treated this year and others would not.
“Cutting an estimated €30m from the expected cost of dental treatments medical card patients this year will mean that dental services will be rationed for medical card patients for the first time ever,” said Mr Hourihan.
“I think we are seeing a fundamental shift in dental care, particularly for the most vulnerable and the most needy members of society,” he said.
Dentists are also concerned that people will delay or put off dental treatments, putting both their dental and general health at risk.
Mr Hourihan also claimed that an economic assessment by the association proved that supports available through the PRSI scheme saved the taxpayer €3 for every €1 spent.
“This proves that cuts the Government have made do not even make economic sense,” he said.
He pointed out that around €50m was being cut by restricting financial support for PRSI contributors to just the cost of an examination.
This was being done despite the fact that workers were still expected to pay the same amount in PRSI.
The cuts would also see the removal of an estimated €29m a year in tax relief for dental treatment for higher earners.
Mr Hourihan said the association had written to Health Minister Mary Harney asking her to discuss the situation.
Mr Hourihan said Ms Harney had yet to reply to their invitation.
According to the association around 150,000 people arranged dental appointments before the December 31 deadline.
