Calls have been made for Ministerial intervention over ongoing obstacles faced by medical card holders in Clare attempting to access dental care.
It follows a further drop in the number of dentists who provide services under the Dental Treatment Services scheme.
Figures show that as of last month, there were 17 dentists in Clare employed by the HSE who provide services under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme.
This means a further two have dropped out of the scheme since February in this county.
Shannon Councillor Donna McGettigan has previously called on Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to engage with dentists in Clare to prevent a total collapse of the scheme.
The Department of Health reassured at the time that engagement was continuing with the Irish Dental Assocaition on matters relating to provision.
But the Sinn Féin Councillor says the fact that no progress has since been made signals the need for urgent intervention from the Health Minister to ensure a fit for purpose medical card scheme is delivered.
Councillor McGettigan believes it’s “ridiculous” that people are being left to suffer.
The Irish Dental Association has made repeated calls for the scheme to be overhauled in recent years, saying it’s not working for either dentists or patients.
Chief Executive Officer, Fintan Hourihan says there’s a lot of lip service being paid to it but nothing is happening.
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