The Government has made an improved offer to dentists who have been providing only emergency cover to the State's one million adult medical-card holders for the past four weeks because of a dispute over fees and administrative procedures.
This evening the national council of the Irish Dental Association is expected to recommend acceptance of the latest offer from the Health Service Employers' Association.
It not only provides for parity in fees for work done for medical-card holders and people funded through PRSI contributions, but allows medical-card holders much easier access to treatment.
Medical-card holders will no longer have to obtain prior approval from health boards for routine procedures such a extractions, fillings, examinations, root-canal work and biopsies. There will also be a 30-day limit on processing claims for more complex treatments.
The IDA is likely to suspend its industrial action while a ballot takes place on the offer, in order to reduce the impact of the dispute on patients.