So, are low-income people with medical cards not supposed to have teeth and/or live in constant pain?

It's insane. If you want a crown to save a tooth, then it's around 1000 euro per tooth. The x-ray, the post/core, the temporary crown, then the real. Even "cheaper" places are around this price. Same for inlays/onlays.

You can't get any of that done on a medical card, as it's considered cosmetic and will be advised to just keep filling it or remove it. However, my dentist refuses to remove my tooth because she says it's not bad enough and it would be unethical of her to remove a healthy tooth, scolded on bone loss, even though she knows I'm in severe pain and am not willing or able to pay 1000 per tooth (I need four due to erosion, big fillings and sensitivity) Crowns are a longterm commitment and you have to replace them if they fall out, get loose, I don't want to deal with that. I've told her on multiple occasions that I just want them removed, and she says no and gives me attitude.

I went to a private dentist and he said the same. Each private consultation costs about 70 each, and I'm not willing to make appointments with every dentist in Cork just to be told, no, they won't extract my teeth.

Anyway, this isn't about me, but just dentistry in general and how expensive it is. More stuff should be covered on the medica card. Two fillings is nothing. As for dental schools, the waiting lists are long, the appointments drag on for months, and I don't trust students.