The Government should be helping with dental care as part of the cost of living crisis.
That's according to Fintan Hourihane, chief executive with the Irish Dental Association.
He was reacting to big variations being found in the price of routine treatments across the country.
It shows some patients are paying nearly five-times more than others for routine procedures, such as fillings.
Some 220 dentists across the country were examined in different electoral areas by the Irish Independent - with Dublin being the most expensive and Donegal the cheapest.
But large variations were also found within the same country.
In one Kilkenny practice, a filling cost €60 - but in another practice 300 metres away, the same procedure was €120.
Mr Hourihane told The Pat Kenny Show the State needs to do more to help people.
"There is difficulty for many people accessing dental care - while there are options and great variety in fees charged... the State is offering no assistance in terms of affordability.
"We're in a cost of living crisis - the State doesn't offer any assistance towards the cost of dental care.
"It offers huge amounts towards medical GPs, it offers zero to dentists and that's reflected in the costs incurred by patients.
"We're saying that in the next budget that there needs to be a look at things like tax relief on dental care, and other ways of alleviating the costs".
On the price variations, he says it's down to several factors.
"I think it reflects the fact that it's more expensive to provide dental care in different parts of the country.
"So primarily the costs dentists incur relate to property-related costs and employment or labour costs.
"We all know it's more expensive to live and work in Dublin, and that's why the fees in Dublin are higher than elsewhere".
And he says the actual procedure will also change the price.
"With regard to fillings, there are different materials.
"People would be aware of what they refer to as the white filling or the silver filling.
"Different materials will be used for fillings and that's usually the explanation where fillings are concerned.
"People need to ask around and not just simply assume".
