The Irish Dental Association has expressed its concern that the Department of Social and Family Affairs has failed to respond to its letter offering talks in the ongoing dental treatment fees dispute.
Mr Donal Atkins, the association's general secretary, said he was "disappointed" that the Department had still not responded 10 days after the letter was written.
A spokeswoman for the Department confirmed the letter had been received and said that officials were examining the document and hoped to "be in touch with the association shortly".
The dispute involves the State's social insurance dental treatment scheme. Dentists believe that the fees on which the Department bases its 70 per cent contribution towards the cost of certain treatments are too low.
Dentists have sought an increase for the past two years. In March, the IDA started "balanced billing", charging more for procedures, such as fillings, than are provided for in agreements with the Department.
In its letter to a senior Department official, a copy of which was also sent to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, the IDA offered talks "aimed at devising new arrangements" for the dental treatment of insured workers.
Talks on the dispute were "impossible" because of the Minister's "precondition" that the IDA cease its "balanced billing". However, the association said it was "available for separate talks aimed at devising new arrangements for the delivery of treatment to insured workers".
The IDA confirmed many were putting off check-ups, but that those requiring special treatments were continuing with them.
Up to 1.7 million people are affected by the dispute, but according to a Department spokeswoman, Laois and Sligo are the only two counties where there are no dentists available who are honouring the scheme.
She declined to give figures "because it would be unfair on the ones honouring their contracts".
The dental association claims that no more than 60 dentists are now still operating the scheme.
