A group representing 320,000 dentists across Europe has warned of the dangers of dental tourism.

Writing in a position paper on an EU directive on cross-border healthcare, the Council of European Dentists (CED) emphasised the importance of continuity of care and of a strong dentist-patient relationship.

"Dental treatment often requires a series of visits to the dentist to properly plan and carry out the treatment, and to provide post-treatment care. Where patients spend only a short time in the vicinity of the dentist, as is often the case where patients receive care abroad, the overall quality of the health service is difficult to ensure.

"The CED therefore does not believe that patient mobility in the area of dental care should be actively promoted," the dentists said.

According to the Irish Dental Association (IDA), this paper reflects the main concerns Irish dentists have about dental tourism.

Earlier this year, an IDA survey found that up to 6,000 Irish patients a year are receiving corrective treatment following dental treatment abroad, with three out of four dentists saying they had provided such remedial treatment to patients.

The IDA's representative on the CED, Dublin-based dentist Dr Tom Feeney, said the association has always encouraged people to consult their local dentist first.

"The experience of Irish people abroad is not unique. What often appears to be too good a deal to be true, often is just that. The CED is placing the emphasis on the patient/dentist relationship. This is vital for planning the treatment properly, receiving the treatment in an appropriate timeframe and for post-treatment care. We would fully endorse the CED's position," he said.