§ 21. Lieut.-Colonel Cordeauxasked the Minister of Health if he will substitute a percentage charge to the patient for all dental treatment, other than the provision of dentures, in place of the present system whereby the first £1, or total charge if less than £1, is borne by the patient.
§ Mr. TurtonNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CordeauxWould not my hon. Friend agree that, in present circumstances and under the present system, in the absence of acute toothache, people are encouraged to delay their visit to the dentist for far too long until the maximum amount of repair work is required? Is not that defeating the object of the National Health Service, which is to ensure the greatest possible and the best dental health?
§ Mr. TurtonMy hon. Friend's suggestion would also deter patients from trying to seek comprehensive treatment, because the percentage charge would be a very great deterrent.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWould the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this is the most stupid of all the existing stupid charges of the National Health Service? Would he not accept the recommendation of the Guillebaud Report, which at least proposed an advance in this matter, so that patients are not deterred from seeking dental treatment?
§ Mr. TurtonThe Guillebaud Committee did not recommend a percentage charge.