The Irish Dental Association says cutbacks are causing patients to leave decay and gum disease untreated and 90% of Irish dentists say they now have to extract more teeth as a result of cutbacks.
The results of the survey were presented to around 600 delegates attending the annual conference of the Irish Dental Association in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan.
The survey also tells us that most patients are unaware of their entitlements under the dental treatment schemes and patients are not be attending for an annual check up in the mistaken believe that they will charged for it. We would like to remind the public as well as our patients who are qualified under the PRSI Dental Benefit Scheme that they are entitled to a free oral examination once a year.
IDA Chief Executive Fintan Hourihan said the dental health of Irish people had seriously worsened due to official neglect and cutbacks in the two main dental schemes and the result was now a state of emergency.
Two thirds of Irish dentists say they are now referring more patients to hospitals.
The survey also reveals that Irish Dentists say they are not being paid for all treatments provided and 63% of dentists have been forced to cut staff due to financial pressures.
