The Irish Dental Association has delivered an ultimatum to the Department of Health and Children, threatening to take legal action if an overdue pay increase is not confirmed within the next seven days.
In a letter sent to the Department of Health and Children, and the Health Services Employers Agency (HSEA) yesterday, the association warned that, if a 5.2 per cent payment increase is not confirmed within seven days, it will issue legal proceedings on behalf of 1,200 contracting dentists.
"Unfortunately and regrettably, we have to take this action to uphold the entitlements of our members.
"It's an absolute disgrace, this payment is nine months overdue," the association's deputy secretary general, Ms Ciara Murphy, said.
Under an agreement made between the Department of Health and Children and the association some years ago, dentists operating under the medical card scheme are due an annual payment increase on January 1st.
Participating dentists have not yet been paid this year's payment increase, some €2.37 million.
The Irish Dental Association is also threatening to seek interest on the late payment - under the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act - which will amount to approximately €160,000, as well as legal costs for each individual case taken against the State.
"We could have looked at balloting our members about pulling out of the medical card scheme, but the only people to suffer then would be the medical card holders," said Ms Murphy. "This is the reason we are issuing legal proceedings against the State, as a last resort," she added.
A spokesman for the HSEA said last night he had been assured by the Department of Health and Children that the matter was "getting top priority". "I would hope this would get resolved quickly," said Mr Brendan Mulligan, head of industrial relations at the agency.
A spokeswoman from the Department of Health and Children could not confirm receipt of the letter last night, but said they were "aware of the issue".