The Irish Dental Association has said that cuts to the State dental treatment services scheme have resulted in a surge in extractions.
Fintan Hourihan, the association's Chief Executive, told its annual conference that a new study it commissioned shows the scheme is wholly unfit for purpose and a new scheme is needed.
The study shows that since 2009, surgical extractions have increased by 53%, routine extractions are up by 14%, scaling and polishing has fallen by 97% and treatment for gum diseases is down 80%.
Mr Hourihan said that as a result of cuts to preventive treatments, waiting lists for oral surgery were increasing, meaning medical card patients are forced to use antibiotics for prolonged periods.
He said that fillings have also been reduced by over 33%.
Since 1994, medical card patients have received dental care under the HSE's Dental Treatment Services Scheme.
The conference heard that cuts imposed in 2010 restricted treatment under the scheme to clinical emergency circumstances only and effectively abandoned all preventive dental treatment.
Around 1.7 million people with medical cards are eligible for care.
The HSE has reacted to the claims, saying it provides a budget of €75 million a year to deliver the service. It said that high risk and vulnerable adults are entitled to a broader range of treatments.
It also said there had been a decrease in fillings and extractions in the last two years.
The HSE said that under the new oral health policy, currently being developed, the provision of oral health care for adults is fundamentally being considered, so that a modern contract for dentists and service for medical card holders can be developed.
Prevention would be a cornerstone of any new oral health service developments for all age groups, it said.
Over 600 delegates are attending the conference in Galway.
