Report says medical card holders should contribute to dental costs

Almost two million medical card holders should have to contribute to the cost of their dental treatment as a way of getting better services, according to a new report.

The report of the National Oral Health Forum also states that the Government’s plan to provide free GP care for under-sixes should be extended to include free dental cover.

The report by the Irish Dental Association and dental training schools in Dublin and Cork says the preference is for a State-funded, universal entitlement to basic preventative dental treatment including a free check and hygiene visit once a year.

Oral health

However, “this scenario, while desirable, may not be a reality in the foreseeable future”.

As an alternative and to ensure cost-efficiency in the delivery of services, “the intelligent use of co-payments” should be explored as a way of managing demand and improving oral health, according to the report.

Forum members agreed water fluoridation should remain a key tenet of oral health policy as a preventive measure for the whole population.