HC Deb 09 May 1972 vol 836 cc313-4W
Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will conduct a survey to ascertain how many National Health Service patients requiring such dental treatment as fillings, crowns or other corrective treatment are opting instead to have extractions.

Sir K. Joseph

No; figures already available do not suggest any marked changes in patterns of treatment since April, 1971.

Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will conduct an inquiry to ascertain the number of National Health Service patients who have examinations to establish their need for dental treatment and who do not have the treatment as advised.

Sir K. Joseph

I do not think this is necessary. Figures so far available suggest that estimates for patients who had no treatment other than an examination declined marginally between March, 1971, and February, 1972.

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