COVID-19 – spike in calls from Ireland to Tenerife dental practice

A dental clinic in Tenerife has seen an increase in patient enquiries from Ireland, sparking warnings of prosecution. 

Garda commissioner Drew Harris spoke out after 50 Irish patients phoned or emailed the Dental Clinic Tenerife Sur requesting a letter or email of appointment.

But none of the people enquiring turned up for their appointment, the Irish Times reports.

Prosecution possible

Currently, the Irish government issues fines of €500 – which is set to increase to €2,000 – for travelling without a ‘reasonable excuse’.

Mr Harris said: ‘We warn people that they may be prosecuted if they carry on with their journey. We don’t regard a dentist appointment in Tenerife as being reasonable.’

He added that those who are travelling abroad on genuine medical grounds are allowed to do so.

Staff at the practice in Tenerife have agreed to pass on details of any enquires made by people in Ireland.

Vaccination plans

This comes as the Irish Dental Association welcomes government plans for the dental profession to get involved with vaccination efforts. 

Chief executive Fintan Hourihan said the inclusion of dental teams is ‘positive news’ for the future of Ireland.

He also called for the government to honour its pledge to vaccinate dentists.

‘It is critical that dentists are vaccinated as soon as possible so they can assist fully in the delivery of vaccines to the public. And continue to offer essential healthcare as they have done since the start of the pandemic,’ he said.