Irish Dental Association urges people to look after their teeth
The Irish Dental Association has urged people to look after their teeth and gums in the midst of severe government cuts, which have left many struggling to access affordable dental care.
Dr Billy Davis, president of the IDA, said that January was a good time to have a dental check-up and consider ways to improve oral health, especially in light of recent cuts by the Irish Health Service Executive. Dr Davis said it was important to take steps to protect the teeth from decay and acid erosion and encouraged dental patients to adopt a good oral hygiene routine, visit their dentist for regular check-ups and consider having preventative dental treatments.
Last year, the HSE announced severe cuts for medical card holders and members of the PRSI scheme; now, patients have lost out on a number of benefits and are faced with mounting dental bills.
Dentists have hit out at the HSE and many have actively campaigned for more assistance for dental patients, especially those who have a low income. Some dentists have even taken their cases to court.
Dentists fear that the cuts will force patients to stay away and as a result, standards of oral health will fall across the country. For many, dental care is now unaffordable and they will either go without or find alternative ways of getting treatment; there has already been a significant increase in the number of patients seeking treatment abroad in a bid to save money.
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