Madam, – While I agree with Fintan Hourihan, chief executive of the Irish Dental Association, that reduced HSE funding to the dental benefit scheme will have serious consequences for those who cannot afford to pay for private dental treatment (October 2nd), his association is not being treated any differently from every other health service provider that operates under the auspices of the HSE.
The State withdrawal of subsidised dental care will undoubtedly have a negative impact on those most in need of its service, just as it will have an impact on the income of those dentists who operate the scheme.
Problems of accessibility to dental services are not solely a result of the withdrawal or curtailment of State subsidies but existed during the Celtic Tiger years. Many patients find it considerably cheaper to travel to the North or to Eastern Europe for dental treatment. Indeed, vast numbers of Irish people continue to travel to Budapest to avail of dental treatment that they find unaffordable at home.
Perhaps Mr Hourihan and the Irish Dental Association might address what is widely regarded as the prohibitive costs of doing dental business in Ireland? During this biting recession it is imperative that we as a society make every effort to encourage our citizens to avail of services in Ireland and create employment. This can only be done if costs are realistic and affordable. – Yours, etc,