March 2010 price survey of doctors and dentists
12 May 2010
This study presents the result of a National Consumer Agency survey of general practice doctors' and dentists' premises, investigating levels of price display and fee levels charged for a short list of routine services.
Fieldwork for the survey was conducted between 18-26 March 2010.
This is the second doctor and dentist price-related survey conducted by the NCA.
A telephone-based survey conducted in March/April 2009 found that 69% of dentists and 28% of doctors declared they did not display prices.
This latest survey follows up on the 2009 study. The methodology has been strengthened by conducting the survey on a face-to-face rather than a telephone basis.
Key findings
- 50% of the doctors surveyed display their prices
- The level of price display varies greatly across the areas surveyed. 80% of doctors surveyed display prices in the Tallaght/Walkinstown area; 22% in the Cork City area
- The overall/national average price for a routine examination/consultation for a GP was €51; prices recorded nationally ranged from €35 to €70
- Overall, 32% of dentists surveyed display their prices, again with wide variation in the levels in different areas of Ireland
- The overall/national average price surveyed for a routine examination by a Dentist was €44; the range of prices recorded varied from free/no charge applicable to €86
- The overall/national average price surveyed for a scale and polish was €61. The minimum overall price recorded for this service was €25. The highest price recorded was €90
Learn more
Read the press release about the survey
Download the May 2010 Doctors and Dentists Survey Report (MS Word, 197KB)
Download the full survey data for doctors' prices (Excel, 167KB)
Download the full survey data for dentists' prices (Excel, 256KB)