Decline In Irish Dental Visits

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Figures show that there has been a decline in the number of dental visits in Ireland.

According to the latest statistics, one on four adults is going to the dentist less frequently than three years ago; this equates to around 760,000 people.

Dentists have blamed this on benefit cuts which have affected thousands of people, making it increasingly difficult for them to access affordable care. For many, dental treatment has become an unaffordable luxury and dentists are worried that patients are putting their health at risk as a result of skipping routine appointments.

Chief executive, Fintan Hourihan of the Irish Dental Association, said that the cuts have undoubtedly had a negative impact on patients, as the Behaviours and Attitudes Survey reveals that numbers have fallen significantly in those with medical cards. The figures suggest that dental visits have decreased by 26 per cent among those with a medical card.

Addressing the HSE Dental Surgeons Group, Mr Hourihan warned that “the dental health of the nation is reaching crisis proportions” and called for the Health Service Executive to act quickly to prevent the situation from getting worse.

The HSE announced cuts, worth around 100 million Euros per year, to the PRSI scheme three years ago and a growing number of people are avoiding the dentist as a result of cost. At the time, dentists warned that dental health standards would suffer, but the government has stood firm and no changes have been made in the most recent Budget.

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