Kildare North TD Says Dental Services For Medical Card Patients Are Collapsing.

Wednesday, 19 May 2021 10:18

19% of dentists in the Kildare-West Wicklow area have left the scheme.

A Kildare North TD says dental services for medical card holders have collapsed in the constituency.

The Irish Dental Association says that, of the 2,500 dentists, only 800 are treating medical card patients.

Donnelly ‘concerned’ over drop in dentists in medical card scheme https://t.co/R9SfEzyMEu
— Irish Dental Associ (@IrishDentists) May 8, 2021

The IDA has been calling for reform of the structures of providing dental services to medical card holders since 2006.

Dentists have left the scheme for reasons including a 36% fall in funding since 2017

Data obtained by Kildare North Sinn Fein TD, Réada Cronin shows 19% of dentists in the Kildare-West Wicklow designated health area have left the scheme in the last 5 years.

Deputy Cronin joined Eoin Beatty on Wednesday's edition of Kildare Today.

More from Local News

Kildare Among Worst Affected Counties As 54,000 Lose Power Nationwide

Met Éireann’s Status Orange and Yellow weather warnings remain in place, and ESB Networks says further outages are likely as conditions continue to change.
Majority Of Councillors Vote To Suspend Pay Parking In Naas During Christmas Period

Audio

Councillor Bill Clear said free parking will operate via a hybrid system. He said that offering free parking helps local businesses and can influence whether residents shop at their local bookstore or choose to buy books on Amazon instead.
Children's Minister Announces Reforms Of Assessment Of Need Process, Admits System Is Broken

Audio

Kildare South Labour TD Mark Wall said that "without the structures in place, this will not be worth the paper it’s written on".
Council Refers Kilcock–Maynooth Shuttle Bus Suggestion To NTA For Consideration

The proposal, put forward by Social Democrats Councillor Peter Melrose, calls for a morning and evening service to allow commuters to connect with Maynooth rail services.
Almost 2,000 Residents In Athy Currently Affected By Power Outages

Customers in Moneycooley and Blake are also without power
Ireland Secures Extension Of Nitrates Derogation To 2028, Minister Heydon Confirms

Audio

The Nitrates Committee of the European Commission met to extend the derogation, which expires this month, until the end of 2028 with some new conditions attached.
Watch: Backlash As Government Video Advises Young Adults How To Cope If They Move Back Home

Over 80% of 25-year-olds in Kildare are still living in their family home.
Dozens Of Dumping Fines And Repeat Offenders Caught In Athy CCTV Pilot At Recycling Bank

The council says there have also been a number of repeat offenders, while 15 incidents could not be pursued because those responsible could not be identified.