HC Deb 06 December 1954 vol 535 c577
11. Mrs. Hill

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage of recruits to the dental profession; and whether he will institute some inquiry into the reasons for this state of affairs.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The British Dental Association has already approached me on the question, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have decided to set up an Inter-Departmental Committee to ascertain the reasons for the lack of candidates of suitable quality for training as dentists and to indicate possible directions in which remedies might be sought. We hope to announce the membership of the Committee shortly.

Mrs. Hill

Will my right hon. Friend take particular note of the disgruntlement of many dentists at their treatment by the dental estimates boards, the long delays that are occasioned, and the consequential delays in their treatment of patients? They feel that they have been unduly policed in these matters.

Mr. Macleod

If that be at all relevant, it might conceivably come within the terms of reference, but it is very much another question.

Mr. Baird

While welcoming the Minister's statement, may I ask whether he would bring the shortage of dentists to the notice of local authorities and ask them to make financial grants to likely students, as many local authorities do not do nearly enough in this direction at present? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that recruitment is affected to a considerable extent by the fall in dental incomes, especially in industrial practices?

Mr. Macleod

I do not want to prejudge the very valuable work that, I know, this Committee will do. Both those matters come clearly within the terms of reference that will be provided for the Committee.