Cutbacks in the two main dental schemes have increased the cost of dental care to the State, the organisation representing dentists has claimed.
A survey of dentists carried out by the Irish Dental Association (IDA) indicates patients are not dealing with problems which previously would have been covered under the medical card scheme or PRSI.
Both schemes were targeted in cutbacks. The number of procedures which could be carried out under the medical card scheme have been reduced while only a free annual check-up is now covered under PRSI.
There has been a 40 per cent reduction in “above the line” treatments.