News
IDA calls for overhaul of medical card scheme
HSE has effectively
introduced ‘dental apartheid’ with the treatment of medical card patients says association chief executive Fintan Hourihan
The medical card scheme needs to be overhauled as it is “wholly unfit for purpose” according to the Irish Dental Association (IDA). The association has said that, despite the number of eligible patients increasing by ı7 per cent, between 2009 and 20ı5, the number of dental treatments funded by the HSE has fallen by 20 per cent in the same period. The HSE figures also reveal that, while the number of patients attending has increased by 35 per cent, the number of scale and polishes have dropped by 97 per cent, fillings are down by 33 per cent while surgical extractions are up 53 per cent and routine extractions have increased by ı4 per cent. The IDA claimed that one of the most serious consequences of the 20ı0 cutbacks has been an increase in the number of medical card holders forced to use antibiotics for prolonged periods. It found that nine out of ı0 dentists had prescribed multiple courses of antibiotics for medical card patients who were on waiting lists for treatment.
There has also been a 38 per cent increase
in the number of people with severe dental infections requiring hospital admission since the cuts were made. The IDA highlighted the irony of this situation given the HSE’s numerous recent campaigns to reduce antibiotic use in general dental and medical practice. IDA CEO Fintan Hourihan said: “The HSE
has effectively overseen the introduction of dental apartheid for medical card patients. That is why we are calling for the introduction of a new state-funded dental scheme where the medical card and PRSI schemes would be merged and one universal scheme would prevail for the benefit of both medical card and PRSI-eligible patients.” The IDA presented a copy of its report UNFIT for PURPOSE – HSE Dental Care for Medical Card Patients to new Health Minister Simon Harris TD at the annual conference in Galway.
Putting oral health in perspective
The 20ı6 British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) Oral Health Confer- ence will take place in Belfast on ı8 and ı9 November with the theme of ‘Perspectives’. The event will take place
at the Waterfront Hall in the heart of Belfast city centre and will look at topics ranging from inflammatory disease to external face and head cancers, from infection control to radiography, composite restorations, local anaesthetic and peri- implantitis workshops. Speakers over the two-day
event include: Leo Briggs (right), deputy head of the
8 Ireland’s Dental magazine
DDU; Ian Dunn, specialist periodontist at Liverpool University; Juliette Reeves, clinical director of Perio- Nutrition; Northern Irish dental nurse Elaine Fugard, equine dentist Maria O’Rourke; and Professor Janet Mary lord, director of the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham.
® To see the full list of speakers and to register for the BSDHT Oral Health Conference, visit
www.bsdht.org. uk or contact ohc20ı6@
conferencepartners.com
Training for all dental
solutions This September, Enrico Steger, inventor of the manual five-axes milling machine, will continue his worldwide presentations in Dublin and in the UK (Gloucester and Leeds). Mr Steger will provide
tips for the daily digital work, will show new software solutions and will talk about Zirkonzahn’s material diversity. Known as a dental visionary and a lively speaker, Mr Steger will give a glimpse into future innovations in the dental sector. In this context, he will outline the importance and the opportunities of an intelligent workflow design. He will provide a live demonstration of Zirkonzahn’s CAD/CAM System software, leaving space for answering question that may arise during the presentation. Mr S t eg er wi ll demonstrate short and long-term temporaries made from resin, full contour zirconia restorations, titanium primary structures. Furthermore, he will explain how to create a sinter metal bridge with Prettau Anterior crowns, which is a well-approved technique from Zirkonzahn. The lecture will be free
of charge but registration is required.
Lecture dates:
• ı4 September – Dublin • ı5 September – Gloucester • ı6 September – Leeds.
® For more information and to register, phone +39 0474 066 662, email carmen.
ausserhofer@zirkonzahn.com or visit
www.zirkonzahn.com
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