Dentists Call For Reforms To The Medical Card Scheme

Thursday, 12 May 2022 11:33

By Caoimhe Harney

Less than 700 dentists are participating in the scheme.

The Irish Dental Association says if the medical card scheme isn't reformed, even more dentists will withdraw their services.

Dentists are calling on the government to introduce sweeping reforms before they reach "crisis point".

They say there are less than 700 dentists now participating in the scheme, meaning one dentist has to cover about 2,000 medical card patients.

The Association, which is holding its AGM in Galway today, also claims recruitment and retention is at an all time low, with only 35 percent of dental graduates practicing in Ireland.

Chief Executive, Fintan Hourihan, says patients should be given a voucher to see their dentist:

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