Medical charges - Fee disparity alarming

The National Consumer Agency has released the finding of a study comparing prices of 251 doctors and dentists in 11 urban centres. The findings are a disgrace.

Matters of medical health are not luxuries; they are essentials of life. The differential in prices around the country is alarming.

The code of conduct of the Dental Council of Ireland stipulates that “a list of private fees should be prominently displayed in dental practices,” but 68% of the dentists surveyed did not display their prices. Half of the doctors did not display their prices.

Doctors and dentists are behaving as if listing their prices would be vulgar. The disparity in prices is even more offensive.

The price for a dental examination can vary from nothing charged by 7 dentists to €86 charged by one practice in Dublin. GPs are charging between €35 in Kerry to twice as much for a visit in areas of Dublin.

The National Consumer Agency argues persuasively for greater transparency by having doctors and dentists display their charges. This could be encouraged with legislation stipulating that the minimum prices currently charged would be designated as the maximum that could be charged by those who fail to display their prices.