Dentists say they need the government to introduce sweeping reforms in dentistry before they reach "crisis point".
The Irish Dental Association wants the current medical card scheme replaced with one that's modern and fit-for-purpose, to stop dentists withdrawing from the scheme.
The representative body also claims recruitment and retention of dentists is at an all time low, with only 35% of dental graduates remaining practicing in Ireland.
The Association will hold its AGM in Galway today.
Chief Executive, Fintan Hourihan, says the medical scheme simply isn't working.
"Dentists have found that the restrictions in terms of how they provide care, which are related to keeping a tab on the spend, means that they can't afford to continue with the scheme.
"So what that means is that patients are finding it more and more difficult to find a dentist and what we're saying is that an entirely new scheme is required."
