ALMOST 200 dentists have withdrawn from the State dental scheme for medical card patients over the past 18 months as part of an ongoing row with the Health Service Executive (HSE) over the negotiation of a new fee structure.
In an answer to a written parliamentary question, Minister for Health Mary Harney said that 190 dentists out of a total of 1,400, who were contracted to provide services under the dental treatment services scheme (DTSS), had withdrawn.
However, she told Sinn Féin deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin that more than 70 new dentists had joined the scheme over the same period.
Ms Harney said the HSE, which has operational responsibility for the delivery of services under the dental scheme, was continuing to monitor the situation arising from the withdrawal of the dentists.
The dispute arose last year when the HSE told the Irish Dental Association (IDA) that on legal advice it could not negotiate on a new fee structure with it on behalf of its members.
A review of the dental treatment scheme for medical card holders had begun in September 2006 but the process stalled the following January on the basis of legal advice received by the HSE.
The HSE has maintained that for it to negotiate fees with the IDA would be in breach of competition legislation.
On a similar basis, the HSE has also maintained that it cannot enter into talks on fees with other organisations representing medical professionals who provide services under contract such as pharmacists and general practitioners.
Ms Harney said in the parliamentary reply that officials in the Department of Health were "continuing to work with the Attorney General's office to find a way forward in regard to the issues which have arisen under the Competition Act, 2002".
At the recent national pay talks the Irish Congress of Trade Unions raised the issue of competition law and its impact on trade unions representing members in negotiations on fees with State bodies. The issue is likely to be raised again by the trade union if there are further talks on a new national deal in September.
Sources close to the IDA said the figures showed the level of disillusionment among members operating the State scheme.
Earlier this year the association said it was difficult to find a dentist who would cover medical card patients in some parts of the State including Kerry, Carlow/Kilkenny and south Dublin.
Responding yesterday, the HSE said more medical card patients had been treated by dentists last year, when the dispute began, than the year before.
"Any reduction in the number of dentists operating under the DTSS scheme has been marginal and where any discrepancy in service has occurred the HSE has ensured that emergency needs continue to be met," it said.