75 Percent Of Patients Missing Out On Free Dental Checks In Ireland
75 per cent of patients who are entitled to free dental checks are missing out due to confusion about the system, the Irish Dental Association has claimed.
The Irish Dental Association claimed that three quarters of patients entitled to a free dental check-up are going without because of confusion caused by cutbacks in dental care. The IDA has also accused the government of contributing to a “dental health time bomb” by making significant cuts to two major dental schemes; the cuts have drastically reduced the services available to medical card holders and members of the PRSI scheme.
Fintan Hourihan, president of the IDA, warned that the government was putting future generations at risk by making such severe cuts to dental health services, as more and more people are struggling to afford dental fees without the help of the state. He also accused the government of letting people down by failing to inform them about their entitlements.
Mr Hourihan said that dentists all over the country are seeing more patients with oral health problems, such as decay and gum disease, which may also contribute to serious medical problems, including diabetes, strokes, heart disease and complications during pregnancy and labour.
Mr Hourihan has proposed a voucher system, which would make it clear that patients are entitled to a free annual check-up.
A recent survey conducted by Ipsos revealed that Ireland has the lowest number of adults attending routine check-ups of all the seven European countries surveyed. The poll also showed that Ireland had the highest number of people saying that they avoid going to the dentist as a result of cost.
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