Dentists warn over state of oral health

DENTISTS have warned of an irreversible decline in the nation’s oral health as new figures reveal there were 700,000 fewer treatments carried out under the state’s dental scheme since the cuts were introduced in January, a drop of almost 60%.

Commenting on the figures from the Department of Social Protection, the Irish Dental Association (IDA) has warned the 57% fall off in treatments claimed under the pay related social insurance (PRSI) scheme would increase to over 60% by the year end.

It blamed the downgrading of the scheme in last year’s budget for the dramatic decline. Since the start of the year, the only treatment available free under the PRSI scheme is an annual examination.