Dentists

HC Deb 09 December 1948 vol 459 cc543-6

29 and 30. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Health (1) if in view of the grave shortage of dental practitioners in this country, especially in the schools dental service, he will see that the services of qualified dental practitioners who came to this country before 1939 will be fully utilised;

(2) how many of the qualified dental practitioners who took refuge in this country before 1939 are refused permission to register and practise in this country; and for what reason some were allowed to register but others refused.

Mr. Bevan

The admission of foreign-trained dentists to the dental register is, under statute, a matter entirely for the General Medical Council.

Mr. Beswick

Does not my right hon. Friend accept some responsibility for the fact that, on the one hand, there is a grave shortage of dental practitioners in the country, and that, on the other hand, there are people in the country at present who are doing only menial jobs, but who could serve a useful purpose? Could not he use, if not his legislative powers, at least his personal influence in the matter?

Mr. Bevan

I cannot promise the House a thing that it would be quite improper to do—to interfere with the General Medical Council in the exercise of duties statutorily imposed. If the General Medical Council does not consider that these dentists are up to the standard required for British dentists, I certainly should not prevail upon them to alter that rule.

Dr. Segal

Would my right hon. Friend point out to the General Medical Council that there is a very strong feeling on the matter in certain parts of the country, and, perhaps, prevail upon them to do the right thing in the matter?

Mr. Bevan

Everybody always wants to do the right thing. The question always is, What is the right thing?

Mr. Benn Levy

Is my right hon. Friend aware that as a result of the advice from the General Medical Council at least one case that I could quote to him exists of a first rate dentist who had to emigrate to America, where he has now received a first rate appointment?

Mr. Bevan

I should like to see the evidence on that matter. As I said, this is a statutory duty on the General Medical Council, and I am not answerable in the House for its decision.

Mr. Baird

Is it not the fact that no dentist, whose qualifications have been obtained by going through the curriculum required for the standard of this country, has been refused registration?

Mr. Bevan

Certainly, so far as I understand it, the General Medical Council has carried out its duties scrupulously, as Parliament intended it should. If there are some dentists, or people who claim the qualifications, who suffer hardship, I would point out that the purpose of the statute is, generally, to protect people against being operated upon by incompetent dentists.

Mr. Beswick

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of these practitioners were allowed to register, but that after a certain date an apparently quite arbitrary line was drawn, after which no further applications were allowed from people who, though they had the same qualifications, were of a particular race? Would he look into that aspect of the matter?

Mr. Bevan

I should be astonished to find that there has been any racial discrimination whatsoever. I certainly will make inquiries at once into that allegation.

35. Dr. Segal

asked the Minister of Health how many dentists with foreign qualifications have been refused registration in this country; and whether he will consider the possibility of their recruitment for the School Dental Service.

Mr. Bevan

Approximately 1,200 since 1935, inclusive, when foreign dentists began to enter this country from the Continent in appreciable numbers. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Education has no objection to the employment in the School Dental Service of any foreign dentists, provided that they are legally entitled to practise dentistry in this country.

Dr. Segal

Where any doubt may exist about the qualifications, could special facilities be granted for retraining, in order that they may equip themselves for entry into the School Medical Service?

Mr. Bevan

Dental schools in this country are already fully occupied in training our own people.

61. Mr. Baird

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to be able to make an announcement about the retrospective payments promised to dentists doing National Health Insurance dentistry before 5th July.

Mr. Bevan

I am at the moment discussing this matter with representatives of the dental organisations.

62. Mr. Baird

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to stop dentists from charging patients a fee when they attend as State patients.

Mr. Bevan

It is a punishable offence, by regulation. Any patient so treated should inform his executive council.

Mr. Baird

If the Minister is given information of such cases will he take action against these dentists?

Mr. Bevan

If hon. Members have information of any such cases I shall be delighted to receive it.