Govt invites dentists to talks next week

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs Mary Coughlan has invited the Irish Dental Association to talks next week in an effort to resolve the long-running dispute over the Dental Benefit Scheme.

The majority of Irish dentists withdrew from the scheme last year because the Government refused to pay higher fees.

The dispute has left more than a million people without dental cover, despite the fact that they have continued to pay their PRSI contributions.

Minister Coughlan has proposed the establishment of an independent review of the scheme in an effort to resolve the dispute.