SHOPPING around for dental treatment is a relatively new thing for most people in this country. Until a few years ago, most people would have entrusted all their dental work to their local dentist without question.
But since information began to filter through that dentists in Northern Ireland and other EU destinations were offering treatment for considerably less than their counterparts in the Republic, the numbers of people opting to travel for treatment or do "dental tourism" have increased significantly.
Dentists in Banbridge, Co Down, for instance, recently claimed that 50pc of their business was now from the Republic.
But it seems that dentists in the Republic are making a stronger effort to win back customers by freezing or cutting prices, but also by displaying them more prominently.
Until recently, it was very difficult to compare prices for routine and specific treatments such as check-ups, polishes, crowns, dental implants, root canals and veneers from dentists in the State.
By contrast, such price information was very easy to obtain from dentists in Northern Ireland and elsewhere.
Variations
A recent National Consumer Agency (NCA) price survey showed that just 32pc of dentists displayed a schedule of fees on their premises, up from 28pc in 2009.
The Dental Council of Ireland (to which all practising dentists must register) has recently revised its code of practice following talks with the Competition Authority.
It strongly recommends displaying prices as prominently as possible in dental clinics.
The survey also looked at the actual prices, and revealed huge variations in fees charged for basic procedures.
For instance, in south Dublin city, the price charged for a check-up ranged from zero to €86.
Depending on where you live, you could get a scale and polish for as little as €25 or as much as €90, while a simple tooth extraction varies from €40 to €150.
Overall, Dubliners pay most for their dental services, though there are significant variations in cost within the city.
The Irish Dental Association (IDA) responded to the survey by claiming it was evidence of "real competition" in dentistry in Ireland.
The NCA has now written to the IDA asking it to draw up a code of practice on pricing.
However, Dermott Jewell, chief executive of the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI), says prices are still too high.
"Three years ago the Competition Authority reviewed the Irish market and found that fees had increased by 24pc more than the rate of inflation, so let's be clear, any changes since then are only tinkering with those seriously over-inflated prices," he said.
Mr Jewell added that the removal in the last Budget of the PRSI (pay related social insurance) entitlements to two free examinations and a teeth cleaning session every year means that the flow of people travelling outside of Ireland for dental treatment is unlikely to slow down by much.
Last year the CAI's 'Consumer Choice' magazine ran a small survey comparing the costs of routine dental examination and polish in Dublin and Belfast, which found that Dublin-based dentists were quoting prices that were 29pc higher than those in Belfast.
"That may be reduced slightly now in certain areas if the NCA survey is to be believed," said Mr Jewell. "However, I believe also that Northern Ireland dental professionals have been just as competitively minded.
"As I understand it, in cash terms, it means that the two examinations and cleaning that were free but which now cost as much as €270 can be had for at least €100 less."
Mr Jewell adds that going further afield is still mostly for those in need of more serious and costly treatments such as root canals, implants and veneers.
"They literally can save thousands by getting the work done elsewhere."
However, Fintan Hourihan, chief executive of the IDA, says he doesn't expect more patients to travel abroad for treatment previously covered by the PRSI scheme because it covers only routine items of treatment rather than 'high-end' treatments.
"It's unlikely that patients will travel abroad for routine items of treatment," he said.
Mr Hourihan adds that the recent strengthening of sterling against the euro has made travelling to Northern Ireland for dental work less attractive to consumers from a cost point of view.
He also points to a recent survey commissioned by his organisation which claims that some 6,000 people who travelled abroad (mostly Britain and Eastern Europe) for dental treatment have had to receive corrective treatment on their return to Ireland.
While the IDA now supports greater price transparency in terms of displaying prices for routine procedures, it believes that a range of fees is more appropriate than fixed prices for more complicated types of treatment.
"Precise estimates can only be provided on the basis of a proper assessment by attendance by the patient at the dental surgery," says Mr Hourihan.
"The association view is that a detailed treatment plan and cost should be provided to patients after this initial examination."
From: Irish Independent
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