Hungarian dental clinic raises concerns

WE note the opening of a Hungarian-operated clinic in Ballylanders, Co Limerick, as reported in the Irish Examiner (March 7).

While it is perfectly understandable in the middle of a recession that people would try to cut back on costs, the opening of this clinic raises a number of questions.

Firstly, it’s important to note that patients attending the clinic in Ballylanders are not getting Hungarian prices in Ireland. They are getting competitive Irish prices and similar prices are available from Irish dentists all over the country.

Secondly, the IDA would have serious concerns — if as the newspaper suggests — a planned dental factory to supply the Ballylanders clinic, is being grant aided to the tune of €700,000 by the Irish taxpayer. This appears to give the clinic an unfair advantage over Irish dentists who are forbidden from incorporating their practices and could amount to unfair state support. Perhaps, the regulatory body which oversees standards in Irish dentistry, the Dental Council, ought to investigate these concerns. It is ironic that at a time when the Government has drastically cut funding for the Medical Card scheme and the PRSI scheme, that other state bodies are now supporting the setting-up of a foreign-operated dental facility which would give its operators an unfair advantage and could well put Irish dentists out of business. We advise patients to talk to their local dentist and to agree a fair price. We are fully supportive of competition but it has to be on a level playing field.

All available evidence suggests that patients choose their dentist for a variety of reasons such as having trust in their dentist, having confidence in the standards of hygiene and cleanliness within the practice and convenient location.

The Dental Council has published guidance for members of the public and we would strongly encourage readers to acquaint themselves with this advice in deciding on which dentist they entrust with their treatment and care.

Fintan Houihan

Chief Executive

Irish Dental Association

Dublin 18