‘Grim’ Future Predicted for Irish Dental Industry
Dentists and consumer groups have predicted a “grim” future for the Irish dental industry following cuts in the medical card schemes.
The Health Service Executive announced the cuts two years ago and at the time the news was met with anger by both dentists and consumers, who were worried that dentistry would become unaffordable.
Two years later and many dentists have reported a decrease in patient numbers and those that have stable patient numbers have suggested that patients are having fewer treatments. Dr Adrian Dillon, from Dillon Dental in New Ross, County Wexford, said that patient numbers have remained largely the same, but he has noticed that patients are less inclined to have certain treatments. As a result, he has decreased the cost of root canal treatment and crowns by around 10-20 percent.
Dr Dillon said that the cuts in the medical card and PRSI scheme have hit the industry hard. In February a survey conducted by the Irish Dental Association showed that 86 percent of dentists reported a decrease in turnover in 2011, with 49 percent suffering a decrease of more than 20 percent. The Irish Dental Association has also forecast up to 1,000 job losses over the next 12 months.
The IDA has warned that the future for young dentists is bleak and only a handful of the 70 new graduates found a job in Ireland in 2011.
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