The number of people being admitted to hospital with severe dental infections has jumped by almost 40%, a new study has shown.

According to dentists, this is directly linked to Government cutbacks.

In 2010, medical card holders had cover for non-emergency dental care removed, while the PRSI dental benefit scheme was reduced to only cover the cost of an annual check-up. Until then, PRSI patients could avail of a free scale and polish each year, as well as subsidies for other treatments, such as fillings and extractions.

Dentists have repeatedly criticised these cuts, stating that they will cost more in the long run. This new study appears to show that this is the case.

The four-year study revealed that the number of patients admitted to hospital with severe infections in 2011 and 2012 - the two years immediately after the cuts - jumped by 38%.

It also noted that an increasing number of patients ended up in hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) and most patients required surgical intervention.

One worrying trend highlighted by the researchers was the increase in the number of people being operated on for dental caries (cavities), a condition they insisted should be dealt with long before an operating theatre is required.

The study found for people admitted to hospital with dental infections, the average length of stay was 5.5 days.

The results of the study, which were highlighted at the opening of the annual conference of the Irish Dental Association (IDA), were described as a ‘disgrace' by IDA chief executive, Fintan Hourihan.

"We are now seeing evidence of the long held view of dentists that significant damage is being done to the oral health of the nation and this is clearly linked to cuts in state supports for patients. We all know prevention is better than cure, but due to the short sightedness of Government policy, many people are being left with severe abscesses and life-threatening infections," he commented.

The IDA noted that both Fine Gael and Labour had promised to restore these dental benefits before the last election, but this has yet to happen. In an interview earlier this week, Health Minister Leo Varadkar suggested that the Government ‘might' restore dental benefits.

Mr Hourihan called on Social Protection Minister, Joan Burton, who is responsible for the PRSI dental scheme, to ‘indicate whether or not she shares this view and tell us when we can expect to see action on this issue'.

"As a first step, the Government needs to honour its promise to restore vital dental care and treatments in the next budget," he added.

The IDA conference is taking place in Cork. Researchers on the four-year study included Prof Leo Stassen, professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital.