Dental consumers balk at high prices

[Posted: Thu 04/10/2007 by Niall Hunter, Editor]

The new report by the Competition Authority into the dental profession in Ireland confirms what consumers have been saying for some time about the high cost of dental care , according to a dental tourism search engine based in Ireland.

RevaHelath.com says prices in Ireland are clearly too high, there are long waiting lists, and it is impossible to find out enough information to make an informed choice about treatment options.

The Competition Authority report stated that Irish consumers are paying too much for dental care and competition among dentists is restricted by an outdated system of regulation. 

The cost of dental procedures in Ireland is often hundreds of euro more than the equivalent cost abroad. 

RevaHealth said Irish dental consumers can make considerable savings by travelling abroad.

It said the advant of cheap air travel and widespread internet access has widened the range of choice that Irish patients now have avaialble to them 

However, Irish dentists frequently warn of the potential risks involved in dental tourism.