Limerick dentists urge patients to sign up for dental appointment before the year-end to avoid Budget cuts

Move could save hundreds of euro for 70,000 PRSI payers in Limerick

Dentists in Limerick city and county have urged people to sign up before the New Year for dental treatments to safeguard maximum PRSI cover for any treatments required - even if the appointments and treatments don’t take place until the New Year. 

According to local dentist Dr. Eamonn Noonan, the recent budget included measures to cut PRSI cover for treatments going forward but NOT for eligible patients who made an appointment to see their dentist before the end of this year.  There are an estimated 70,000 people in Limerick city and county entitled to benefits under this scheme.       

The Irish Dental Association [IDA] has launched a stinging criticism of the recent budget cuts for PRSI payers.  In the budget the Government announced that from next year people paying PRSI will only be entitled to a free dental check-up and will no longer receive significant discounts on fillings, extractions, root canal work or dentures.  Speaking after the budget the Association said the Government move was “a serious mistake which will penalise many people including tens of thousands who have been paying this PRSI Insurance for years”.

The IDA will be campaigning for the immediate restoration of this important scheme over the next year.