The Competition Authority has found that outdated regulation in dental services has led to a lack of competition and higher prices for consumers.
In its report on competition in dental services in Ireland, published today, the authority found that dentists are not allowed to advertise their prices, offer discounts and that the number of dentists and orthodontists being trained in Ireland has not kept pace with growing demand.
Consumers in Ireland do not have the benefits of the competition between dentists and a range of other qualified oral health professions that exists in other countries, the report found.
The price of private dental services in Ireland continues to rise at a rate above the general rate of health services inflation. Although 80 per cent of the population of Ireland is entitled to a free examination and clean annually, only 44 per cent of people in Ireland visit the dentist at least once a year.
The report says that these restrictions on competition stem from the Dentists Act 1985 and from the rules of the Dental Council, which is largely composed of dentists. It found there was a lack of public interest at the heart of the regulatory system.
Competition Authority chairman Bill Prasifka said: "Consumers are paying too much for dental services in Ireland. This is not surprising given the rules that are currently in place.
"Consumers are in the dark when it comes to shopping around for a dentist. Why shouldn't dentists advertise and compete on the same terms as any other business?
"The Competition Authority is calling for significant reform which places the interests of consumers before those of the profession," said Mr Prasifka.
The report recommends that consumers are informed of the price of dental services. Currently, dentists are prohibited from placing the price of their services outside their practice.
The report also calls for more choice for consumers and for a sufficient supply of dentists and orthodontists to be made available.