A special "kickstart" package to save dentists from the impact of the coronavirus crisis is needed, the Irish Dental Association has said.
Incomes are down by over 90% on average during the pandemic as routine dentistry has been prohibited and emergency care cannot be provided in many cases, due to unavailable or overly expensive personal protective equipment, the association said.
Chief executive Fintan Hourihan said it was disappointing that dentists had not received a level of support similar to that given to the medical and pharmaceutical professions. "Medics and pharmacists have, quite rightly, been offered extensive support from the Government in order to continue to operate in such challenging circumstances. "However, dentists